Musical Fidelity M8x DAC

A high-end dual-mono DAC with dual ES9038Q2M conversion, 768 kHz PCM, DSD512, hardware MQA decoding, fully balanced discrete analog output stage, and balanced headphone amplifier

The Musical Fidelity M8x DAC is a high-end digital-to-analog converter built around a dual-mono, dual-differential DAC architecture, a fully balanced discrete analog output stage, and a powerful discrete headphone amplifier.

At its core are two ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips operated in dual-mono mode, supported by 16-core XMOS processing and a CPLD MAX II Altera processor. USB input supports PCM files up to 768 kHz, DSD256 via DoP, and native DSD512, while the SPDIF inputs support PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz, MQA up to 384 kHz, and DoP DSD64.

The M8x DAC includes switchable upsampling, switchable reclocking, eight selectable digital filters for PCM, and an oversampling bypass mode. For system integration, it offers USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and I2S digital inputs, plus fixed/variable RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs.

Fully Balanced, Fully Discrete Output Stage

The M8x DAC uses a fully balanced discrete analog output stage instead of an op-amp-based circuit. The dual-mono DAC section feeds fully differential balanced output and headphone amplifier stages, preserving the balanced signal path from conversion through output.

High-Power Headphone Amplifier

The built-in headphone amplifier is also fully balanced and discrete, with a 6.3 mm output for unbalanced headphones and a 4-pin XLR output for balanced headphones. It is designed to drive demanding headphones down to 8 ohms, with up to 3.9 W from the balanced output into 8 ohms.

Advanced Digital Processing

Switchable upsampling and reclocking let the M8x DAC tailor its digital processing to the source. In oversampling bypass mode, selected through filter 8, the DAC bypasses the ESS chip’s oversampling FIR filter for ultra-high-resolution material, allowing the highest sample rates to enter the DAC block directly.

Super Silent Power Transformer

The M8x DAC uses Musical Fidelity’s Super Silent Power Transformer design with separate discrete power filtering, DC blocking, and isolated power-supply sections for digital and analog circuitry. The power supply is designed to keep noise and interference away from the sensitive DAC, output, and headphone amplifier stages.

Rigid Mechanical Construction

The M8x DAC uses a heavy aluminum chassis with front, side, and top panels milled from extruded aluminum profiles. The design omits a large display, reducing a potential source of electromagnetic interference while preserving the clean, purposeful look of the component.

Features

• Dual ES9038Q2M DAC chips in dual-mono configuration
• 32-bit HyperStream II DAC circuit
• Fully balanced discrete analog output stage
• Fully balanced discrete headphone amplifier
• 6.3 mm unbalanced and 4-pin XLR balanced headphone outputs
• USB input supports PCM up to 768 kHz
• USB input supports DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512
• SPDIF inputs support PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz, MQA up to 384 kHz, and DoP DSD64
• Full hardware MQA decoding for USB and SPDIF inputs
• 16-core XMOS and CPLD MAX II Altera processors
• Switchable upsampling and reclocking
• Eight selectable digital filters for PCM
• Oversampling bypass mode
• USB, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and I2S digital inputs
• Fixed/variable RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs
• Trigger input and output
• Super Silent Power Transformer
• Discrete input power filtering and DC blocking circuitry
• Aluminum front, side, and top panels

Specifications

DAC

DAC Chip: 2 × ES9038Q2M, dual mono, with 8 digital filters

Frequency Response: <-0.1 dB at 10 Hz–20 kHz

Total Correlated Jitter: <100 femtoseconds peak to peak

Linearity: <0.1 dB down to -130 dB

Channel Separation: <-114 dB at 10 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >100 dB, A-weighted, at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

THD+N: <0.001% at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Output Voltage (RCA, XLR): 2 V RMS, 4 V RMS

Output Impedance: <100 ohms

Headphone Amplifier

Outputs: 6.3 mm stereo jack unbalanced, 4-pin XLR balanced

Power (Balanced Output, 8 Ohms): 3.9 W

Power (Balanced Output, 32 Ohms): 3.2 W

Power (Balanced Output, 300 Ohms): 400 mW

Output Impedance: <5 ohms

Frequency Response: <±0.1 dB at 20 Hz–20 kHz

THD: <0.005% at 1 kHz @ -6 dBFS

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >96 dB, A-weighted, at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Digital Inputs

USB Input: USB Audio Class 2, requires USB 2.0 or higher on computer

USB PCM Sample Rates: up to 768 kHz

USB DSD Support: up to DSD256 via DoP and native DSD512

MQA Support: full MQA decoding by hardware

Optical Inputs: 3, up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD64

Coaxial Input: 1, up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD64

AES/EBU Input: 1, up to 24-bit/192 kHz PCM, MQA 384 kHz, DoP DSD64

CD I2S Input: 1, MCLK out 16.9344 MHz

Analog Outputs

RCA Output: 1 pair line level, fixed/variable, 2 V RMS at 0 dBFS

XLR Output: 1 pair line level, fixed/variable, 4 V RMS at 0 dBFS

General

Trigger: input and output

Mains Voltages: 115/230 V AC 50/60 Hz factory preset; 100 V AC 50/60 Hz alternative

Power Consumption (Max, Standby): 70 W, <0.5 W

Dimensions (WHD): 19" × 4" × 15" (483 mm × 102 mm × 381 mm)

Weight: 23.4 lb. (10.6 kg)