Musical Fidelity M6x DAC Black dac converter

General

Descended from the pioneering D/A converter, the Musical Fidelity M6x DAC is a worthy successor to the Digilog model that started it all back in 1988. There’s a lot hidden within its unobtrusive but finely crafted aluminium chassis, including a proprietary clock circuit and two of the latest ESS converters configured in dual mono, ensuring support for high-resolution formats up to 768kHz/32-bit and DSD512. In action, it offers extraordinary insight, spatiality and detail, with the ability to tailor the output to your preferences via eight different filters. Inputs, including USB-B and AES/EBU, cover virtually every digital source. Furthermore, the M6x DAC is not only an extraordinary component to be included in a speaker system, but it is also a refined headphone amplifier.

The technique

The M6x DAC uses one of the most appreciated conversion chips on the market today, the ESS Sabre in its latest evolution, the ES9038Q2M, in dual version and in double differential configuration, for a true dual mono circuitry. It is supported by a proprietary circuit that eliminates jitter with a precision of within 12 picoseconds. All this translates into superb performance in terms of SNR and THD+N with an incredibly detailed transient response. In keeping with current trends, re-clocking (selectable up to 768 kHz) and upsampling (disableable) are available. Oversampling can be independently enabled or disabled.

The 16-core XMOS processor and Altera CPLD MAX II provide the processing power for these functions, plus the power of the 8 digital filters to choose from and MQA (Master Quality Audio) decoding. The RCA and balanced XLR outputs each have their own output buffer. Both output stages offer superior audio quality, featuring very low noise, a wide output voltage range and high current. The excellent bandwidth and fast slew rate virtually eliminate output distortion.

Super Silent Power Transformer

Another special feature of the new Musical Fidelity M6x DAC is the power supply, where a Super Silent Power Transformer is used. EMI filters and DC blocks prevent interference and eliminate transformer hum, while the encapsulated toroidal transformer with low core saturation is particularly suitable for use in such a sensitive component as the D/A converter, due to its extremely low electromagnetic radiation.

Optimized circuit boards and their layout

According to Musical Fidelity, an essential point is the optimal layout and design of the circuit board, especially for D/A converters. For this reason, the Musical Fidelity M6x DAC has been designed with this aspect in mind, in order to provide the best possible basis for the optimal operation of the respective functional groups.

Headphone amplifier

The new M6x DAC features a built-in headphone amplifier, which can easily drive a wide range of headphones via the 6.3 mm stereo jack on the front panel. The output has 1.5 watts per channel at 32 ohms.

Connections and features

The new Musical Fidelity M6x DAC offers a number of connection options. Not only are there a coaxial S/PDIF and two optical Toslink inputs, but also an AES/EBU. These inputs are capable of processing linear PCM signals up to 24 bit and 192 kHz.

The most interesting input in this DAC is certainly the USB connector, in the USB-B Audio Class 2.0 version, which can handle signals from a PC or Mac in linear PCM up to 32 bit and 768 KHz and DSD up to DSD256 via DoP or native DSD512. It is also possible to process lossy MQA encoded signals.

As already mentioned, upsampling is optional, while re-clocking is always performed for a more accurate processing of the input signal. The user can also choose between seven different signal conversion filters.

The analog signals exit the DAC via a pair of unbalanced RCA connectors or in balanced mode via a pair of XLR connectors.

Mechanical construction

The mechanical construction of the M6x DAC is rigid and solid, made without compromises, typically as per Musical Fidality tradition. The front panel and side panels are milled from extruded aluminum profiles. The external appearance is thus extremely rational and clean. Its dimensions are 440mm wide, 390mm deep and 100mm high, for a total weight of 6.9kg.

Available in both Black and Silver finishes, last but not least, it is designed and built entirely in the European Union.

FEATURES

DAC

DAC circuit: 32-bit Hyperstream II

DAC chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (double differential)

Total correlated jitter: <12 picoseconds peak-to-peak

Linearity: <0.4 dB up to -130 dB

Frequency response: -0.1 dB at 10 Hz, 0 dB at 1 kHz, -0.4 dB at 20 kHz

Channel separation: >130 dB at 10 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Signal-to-noise ratio: >120 dB “A”- wtd 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Total harmonic distortion: < 0.0005% at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Digital inputs

1x coaxial, up to 24-bit 192 kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

2x optical, up to 24-bit 192 kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

1x AES/EBU, up to 24-bit 192 kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)

1x USB Audio Class 2.0, 'USB B'; up to 32-bit 768kHz (PCM stereo + MQA), DSD 256 (DoP stereo), DSD512 (native stereo)

Analog Outputs

1 pair of line level RCA fix/var @ 2V RMS at 0dBFS

1 pair of line level XLR fix/var @ 4V RMS at 0dBFS

Output impedance: < 10 ohms

1 variable 6.3mm jack headphone output

Headphone amplifier

Power: 1.5W/channel into 32Ω

Output impedance: min. recommended headphones 16Ω

THD: < 0.005% at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Signal to noise ratio: >115dB “A” wtd

Frequency response: +0.1, -0.4 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz

General information

Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 100 x 390 mm

Main voltages: 230V/115V internally set or 100V optional

Maximum consumption: 20 W, <0.5 W standby

Weight: 6.9 kg