Musical Fidelity M8x DAC

Musical Fidelity M8x DAC

The Musical Fidelity M8x DAC is available for demonstration in our Hull store by request.

The Musical Fidelity M8x DAC sets a new benchmark in high-end digital-to-analogue conversion. As a flagship DAC, it upholds Musical Fidelity's legacy of exceptional sound quality, delivering an ultra-pure, dynamic, and immersive listening experience. Engineered for true audiophiles, the M8x DAC converts digital signals into breathtaking analogue audio using cutting-edge technology, including fully discrete amplification, ultra-low jitter architecture, and a dual-mono design.

Free from unnecessary wireless components and displays that can introduce noise, the M8x DAC focuses solely on achieving the highest fidelity possible—whether played through speakers or high-end headphones.

Exceptional Digital Processing and Conversion

At the heart of the M8x DAC are dual ES9038Q2M DAC chips, configured in differential mode to achieve a pristine dual-mono structure. This enables support for:

• PCM up to 768kHz

• DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512 via USB

• MQA decoding (up to 384kHz) on USB and SPDIF inputs

With enhanced SPDIF inputs supporting MQA and DSD (DoP 64), this DAC ensures compatibility with a vast range of digital formats, providing listeners with unmatched audio precision and depth.

Advanced Jitter Control & Digital Processing

Equipped with an ultra-low-noise regulator and a proprietary Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the M8x DAC achieves extraordinary signal clarity. Jitter is reduced to less than 100 femtoseconds, outperforming many dedicated audiophile-grade clock generators. The high-performance 16-core XMOS processor and CPLD MAX II Altera chip handle upsampling, reclocking, and MQA decoding with flawless efficiency.

Key Features

• Selectable Digital Filters: Eight PCM digital filter options for customizable playback

• Optional Upsampling & Reclocking: Improve audio clarity with flexible digital processing options

• Oversampling Bypass Mode: Allows ultra-high-resolution playback up to 768kHz, eliminating unwanted noise for pristine sound

Fully Balanced Discrete Output & Headphone Amplifier

Unlike conventional DACs that rely on integrated circuits, the M8x DAC employs a fully discrete, balanced output stage. This dramatically enhances sound clarity, longevity, and sustainability, as discrete components remain serviceable even as technology evolves.

Discrete Circuitry Advantages

• More natural, dynamic, and vivid sound compared to IC-based designs

• Greater tuning precision for superior sonic performance

• Long-term serviceability, ensuring reliability for years to come

High-Power Headphone Amplification

The Musical Fidelity M8x DAC features a reference-grade, fully discrete headphone amplifier that surpasses many standalone units. It includes:

• 6.3mm unbalanced output

• 4-pin XLR balanced output for superior performance

• 3900mW into 8 ohms (vs. 2000mW unbalanced), delivering breathtaking power and dynamics

Operating in Class A up to full power, the amplifier excels with headphones of varying impedances—from 8-ohm low-impedance models to 30-ohm high-end audiophile headphones.

Precision Power Supply & Build Quality

The M8x DAC employs Super Silent Power Transformers and a dedicated power filtering PCB to eliminate unwanted interference. A low-saturation toroidal transformer further minimizes electromagnetic radiation while ensuring high headroom for peak performance.

Key Build Features:

• Thick extruded aluminum chassis for superior rigidity and vibration resistance

• Faraday cage design shielding internal components from electromagnetic interference

• No large displays or unnecessary features—prioritizing pure audio fidelity

Musical Fidelity M8x DAC Specification:

• DAC Chip - Dual ES9038Q2M
• File Limit Support (PCM) - 32-bit, 768kHz
• File Limit Support (DSD) - DSD512
• THD +N - < 0.001 %
• Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) - > 100 dB
• Channel Separation - < 114 dB (@ 10kHz)
• Frequency Response - < -0.1 dB (10Hz - 20kHz)
• Headphone Amp Output Power - 3.9W (@ 32 ohms)
• Headphone Amp THD - < 0.005 %
• Headphone Amp Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted) - > 96 dB
• Headphone Output - XLR + 6.3mm Jack Combined Socket
• Headphone Output Impedance - < 5 Ω
• Output Level (Balanced) - 4 V
• Output Level (Unbalanced) - 2 V
• Fixed Analogue Output(s) - 1 x RCA Pair, 1 x XLR Pair
• Output Options - Switch fixed level output to variable
• USB Digital Input - 1 x USB Type-B
• Coaxial Input(s) - 1 (24-bit, 192kHz)
• Optical Input(s) - 2 (24-bit, 192kHz)
• AES/EBU Input(s) - 1 (24-bit, 192kHz)
• DAC Filters - 8
• Output Impedance - < 100 Ω
• Headphone Amp Frequency Response - < -/+ 0.1 dB (20Hz - 20kHz)
• Maximum Power Consumption - 70 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D) - 483 x 102 x 381 mm
• Weight - 10.6 kg