Musical Fidelity DAC History

Musical Fidelity have been manufacturing High-End DAC's ever since 1987 when they launched the Digilog DAC.
This was followed in 1993 with what has now become a classic, the valve driven Tubalog DAC. 1997 saw the addition to the X-series of components - the X-ACT DAC which was praised for "smooth, easy-going sound" by What Hi-Fi? This was quickly followed by the X-24K upsampling DAC, which was highly regarded by Stereophile magazine. 200 saw the launch of X-DAC V3, offering ‘stunningly good measured performance’ (Stereophile).

In 2002, Musical Fidelity launched what became to be regarded as one of the best DAC's regardless of price. the still highly sort after Tri-Vista 21 "Super DAC"

The X-series continued with the updated and "Supercharged" X-DAC V8, with switchable tube buffer and extra-heavy-duty power supply. ‘For its superb performance as a detailed, sweet-sounding DAC, the X-DAC V8 stands on its own’ (Stereophile)..

2012 saw Musical Fidelity produce the AMS CD player which featured an accessible upsampling DAC. Followed by several versions of the M6 DAC which now culminates in the M6x DAC EISA Award Winner 2022/23 and the compact MX DAC.

From this brief history Musical Fidelity have continued to show their commitment to the external DAC, along with a range of CD Players and amplifiers having access to built in DAC's
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MF MX DAC


Musical Fidelity MX-DAC

Price: £629.00

"…It's mellow, seductive and soothing – cognac for the ears made me want an MX-DAC"
KEN KESSLER - HI-FI NEWS 10/20
https://www.musicalfidelity.com/uploads/images/Reviews/
"The sounds is punchy and crisp contoured, grippy and direct"
MARCO BREDDIN - STEREOPLAY 06/15

"Simply impresses"
PHILIPP SCHNECKENBURGER - HI-FI EINSNULL 05/16

"DAC of the year 2019!"
SIMON PRICE - 13TH NOTE HIFI REVIEW 12/19

After years of patient research and development, MF are proud to launch the MX-DAC with DSD. With its technical innovation, superb technical performance and excellent build quality, the new MX DAC offers truly outstanding value for money.

The MX-DAC is a tremendous performer. It has ultra low distortion, very wide bandwidth and low noise. The technical performance of the MX-DAC is on a par with any other DAC at any price. Jitter is about 12pps, s/n ratio is -116dB (‘A’ weighted), linearity is +0.2dB at -116dB, stereo separation is -104dB at 1kHz, frequency response is ruler flat and distortion is 0.00025% at 1kHz and 0.0003% at 20kHz. These technical figures are state-of-the-art and show that our implementation is almost perfect, to ensure completely neutral and accurate digital-to-analogue conversion of any digital input.

The MX DAC has inputs for: 2 x coax (up to 24bit 192 kHz PCM), 2 x optical (up to 24bit 192kHz PCM) and asynchronous USB up to 24bit 192 kHz PCM as well as DSD 64 and DSD 128.
Also, all inputs whether from coax, optical or USB, are processed in the DSD domain. This desirable feature gives a warmth and humanity to the sound that simple digital conversion doesn’t achieve.
The MX DAC has both single ended and balanced outputs.
The new MX range has beautiful aesthetics and wonderful build quality. The front panel and housing are both from exclusive custom-made extrusions using mil-spec aluminium.

Superlative state of the art performance with ultra-flat frequency response
Able to process DSD64 and DSD128 formats as well as PCM up to 192kHz / 24bit
Multiple digital inputs – 2 x coax, 2 x optical, and asynchronous USB
All inputs processed and converted in DSD domain
Very low noise
Extremely low distortion
Outstanding linearity
Outstanding channel separation
Beautiful aesthetics and build quality

MX-DAC - Specifications

DAC Structure

Sample rate converter: SRC4392 up-sampling data to 192kHz
Digital to Analogue converter: PCM1795 32 bit / 192kHz Multi-bit Sigma-Delta type
Performance

Output Voltage: 2 Volts RMS single-ended (RCA)
Output Voltage: 4 Volts RMS balanced (XLR)
PCM THD: <0.002%
PCM THD (+ noise): <0.003%
DSD THD: <0.003%
DSD THD (+ noise): <0.006%
PCM Frequency Response: –3dB, 2Hz to 90kHz
PCM Frequency Response: –3dB, 2Hz to 40kHz
Channel Separation: -110dB
Capabilities

Coaxial Inputs: S/PDIF up to 24 bit / 192kHz
Optical Inputs: S/PDIF up to 24 bit / 192kHz
Inputs

2x RCA coaxial connector SPDIF 32-192kHz
(16-24 bit stereo PCM)
2x TOSLINK optical connector 32-192kHz
(16-24 bit stereo PCM)
1x USB type ‘B’ connector
Asynchronous data stream at up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM as well as DSD64 and DSD128
(Determined by source file/computer settings)
Outputs

1x line level RCA (single-ended)
1x XLR Male sockets (balanced) to EIA RS-297-A
General
Dimensions - WxHxD (mm): 220 x 53 x 215
Weight (unpacked / packed): 1.9Kg / 2.4Kg
Power Consumption: <0.25 Watts standby, <1 Watt max.
Supplied Accessories

1x 5v / 2A DC power supply (90-250VAC universal worldwide supply)
Windows driver CD
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MF M6x DAC


Musical Fidelity M6x DAC

Price: £2099.00

Made in Europe

The M6x DAC is a complete high-end solution, designed to convert almost any digital audio format in the highest quality. Its sophisticated DAC architecture is coupled to a class-leading analogue stage that introduces your digital music to the Musical Fidelity sound for true sonic superiority.

The M6x DAC benefits from Musical Fidelity’s knowledge and experience with ESS Sabre DAC chips. Featuring two ES9038 Q2M chips in dual-differential mode, the rest of the electronic layout employs a dual-mono design principle. The inclusion of a Time Domain Jitter Eliminator results in superb technical measurements and low noise with an unbelievably detailed transient response. There is also a new re-clocking and upsampling section, where the upsampling process can be manually turned on or off.

To effectively manage such a sophisticated digital stage, the M6x DAC features 16-core XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera processors ensure there is always enough headroom for these operations. This over-specification also allows the DAC to effectively support its new digital filters and MQA processing.

The M6x DAC can support high-resolution PCM files up-to 32-bit / 768kHz over USB (24-bit / 192kHz over other connections). It can also support DSD256 stereo DoP signals and DSD512 in stereo native. To suit modern trends, it is also a full MQA decoder and supports MQA signals over any of its inputs for absolute system flexibility. It is also Roon Tested, for simple plug-and-play operation in Roon. To fully customise the sound, there are then seven digital filters available to try, or you can choose to select “Oversampling Bypass” to disable them and listen only to the original recording.

Elsewhere in the electrical layout, the M6x DAC has been optimised for first-class audio performance. Straight from when the power signal arrives, it is delivered through an industrial-grade power socket that is coupled to an EMI filter and DC blocker to stop interferences. The encapsulated toroidal transformer has extremely low electromagnetic radiation and is optimised for audio applications. The rest of the layout is then purpose-designed to tackle the unique requirements and challenges when managing both digital and analogue circuits.

Further connection of the M6x DAC is customisable to suit different system set-ups. The built-in headphone amplifier‘s current-feedback AB architecture delivers high bandwidth, extremely low noise, and up to 128dB of dynamic range. This high-fidelity design prevents odd-order distortion anomalies, delivers current-on-demand during demanding music tracks without introducing noise, and delivers a wide frequency range whether listening at quiet or loud levels.

When a pair of headphones is connected, the balanced (XLR) and single-ended (RCA) outputs on the rear panel are muted. But when headphones are not connected, these outputs can be set to fixed or variable – allowing you to use the M6x DAC as a fixed-level source or as a pre-amplifier for direct connection to active speakers or a power amplifier. The RCA and XLR outputs each have their own output buffer. Both output stages deliver superior audio quality, exhibit exceptionally low noise, large output voltage swing and high current drive. The excellent gain bandwidth and very fast slew rate produce exceptionally low distortion to achieve that iconic Musical Fidelity sound.

The M6x DAC is built into a chassis that shares the same aesthetic as other Musical Fidelity M-Series products and provides good electromagnetic isolation and a sturdy housing for the internals. Control is effortlessly simple via the clearly marked front-panel controls or using the supplied remote control (which also controls other Musical Fidelity devices).

Once plugged-in and installed correctly, the M6x DAC will immediately sing like nothing else you have experienced. The whole sound is sweet and clear; the treble is completely grain free and extended. The bottom end sounds endless with tactile bass dynamics.

Key Features:

Full-feature digital-analogue converter (DAC)
Roon Tested certification and full MQA decoding
Support for up-to 32-bit / 768kHz PCM and DSD256 (DoP) or DSD512 (stereo native)
Two ES9038Q2M DAC chips in dual-differential mode
Re-clocking function and switchable upsampling
Seven different digital filters and oversampling bypass option
Optical, Coaxial, AES/EBU and USB input options
Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced output options
Built-in high-performance headphone amplifier
Fixed or variable output options for wider system integration possibilities
M6 series chassis adds extra weight and vibration/interference resistance
Made in Europe
Available in Black and Silver finishes

M6x DAC - Specifications


DAC Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II
DAC Chip: 2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)
Total correlated jitter: <12 picooseconds peak to peak
Linearity: <0.4dB down to -130dB
Frequency response: -0,1dB at 10Hz, 0dB at 1kHz, -0,4dB at 20kHz
Channel separation: >130dB at 10kHz @ 0dBFS
Signal to noise: >120dB “A”- wtd 1kHz @ 0dBFS
Total harmonic distortion: < 0,0005% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS
Digital Inputs

1x Coax, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)
2x Optical, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)
1x AES/EBU, up to 24bit 192kHz (stereo PCM + MQA)
1x USB Audio Class 2.0, ‘USB B’; up to 32 bit 768kHz (stereo PCM + MQA), DSD 256 (stereo DoP), DSD512 (stereo native)
Analogue Outputs

1 pair line level RCA fix/var @ 2V RMS at 0dBFS
1 pair line level XLR fix/var @ 4V RMS at 0dBFS
Output impedance: < 10 ohms
1 Headphone out 6.3mm jack variable
Headphone Amp

Power: 1.5W / channel into 32 Ω
Output impedance: Min. recommended 16Ω headphones
THD: < 0,005% at 1kHz @ 0dBFS
Signal/noise ratio: >115dB “A” wtd
Frequency response: +0.1, -0.4dB 20Hz to 20kHz
General Information

Dimensions (WxHxD): 440 x 100 x 390mm
Main voltages: 230V/115V Internally set or 100V optional
Max. Consumption: 20W, <0.5W in standby
Weight: 6.9kg


CONTACT US

Tel: 01625264666


LOCATION

OPENING TIMES

Monday 10am-4pm
Tuesday 10am-4pm
Wednesday- CLOSED
Thursday 10am-4pm
Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday 10am-4pm
Sunday-CLOSED