Musical Fidelity M6X DAC

Musical Fidelity M6X DAC is the latest range-topping DAC in the M6 range. Musical Fidelity have been making DAC's since 1988 and this DAC is the proud successor to the prior M6 DAC with a host of improvements and updates.

Upsampling

The M6X DAC uses a completely new architecture. The 16-core XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera processors provide upsampling and re-clocking to give a high resolution sound. The unit also features new digital features and MQA processing (MQA stands for Maser Quality Audio and is designed to bring you as close as possible to studio sound).

Connectivity

Outputs include single ended RCA connectors as well as professional, balanced XLR outputs. Output buffers are provided for all methods of output. The XLR outputs use a fully differential amplifier for a true balanced output. There are also two optical digital inputs and a USB socket.

Output stages

Top quality output stages give superior audio quality. This is achieved by using the best design and components to give a large output voltage swing and high current drive. Additionally, fast slew rate amplifiers provide exceptionally low distortion.

Headphone amplifier

The unit also has a dedicated headphone amplifier, that has a wide bandwidth as well as extremely low noise and high dynamic range, allowing you to enjoy this DAC directly with your headphones.

Dual Mono Design

The M6X DAC is a dual mono design using industry leading Sabre chips made by ESS. Each channel uses a separate chip. The jitter eliminator reduces distortion and gives a superb signal-to-noise ratio.

High grade power supply

The M6X uses a shielded toroidal transformer and an industrial grade power socket to give an ultra silent power supply. Additionally the PSU uses an electromagnetic interference filter along with a DC blocker to eliminate transformer hum. As a result electromagnetic inferference is eliminated.

ESS chips

Musical Fidelity were one of the first to use the ESS 32 Bit HyperStream II DAC architecture from the specialist ESS Technology Inc. With the new M6X, Musical Fidelity have now optimised the firmware and improved the functionality of the unit. For example, DSD, the format of SACD, is now available to be used more flexibly.

What is DSD?

DSD or Direct Stream Digital was developed for SACD as a more efficient way of encoding audio information, digitally. Whereas the original CD specification uses, 16-bit Pulse code modulation or PCM. DSD uses a single bit to encode the audio at a much higher sample rate than normal PCM. In fact the sample rate is 2.8Mhz over 64 times the 44Khz sample rate of a CD. The advantage of this is that it uses less processing power and it is easier to process the signal.

Roon compatible

Finally, the M6X DAC is tested with Roon. Roon is a popular music organiser application that integrated your audio files and streaming services into one overall interface. The application is rich in metadata, that is it has comprehensive track and artist information built in. The best possible audio quality is combined with convenience and compatibility with many device such as the M6X.

What is a DAC?

A Digital to Analogue Converter sits between a streamer and a pre-amplifier. It converts the digital source into analogue audio, and is probably the most important part of any modern audio system.
Often the DAC is bundled with the streamer, in the same case, leading to interference and sound degradation. It is always better to separate all the components in the audio path. The Musical Fidelity MX-Stream is the companion streamer for the DAC shown here. Proudly made in Europe.