DAC Musical Fidelity M6x DAC

The new Musical Fidelity DAC M6x digital-to-analog converter takes up the ESS 32-bit HyperStream II architecture DAC focus on the previous one DAC 6 from the manufacturer. Musical FidelityContinued to improve the firmware and added some other improvements, including in the area of DSD, digital filters, ROON connectivity, and MQA management.

And the other big novelty, the DAC M6x is now manufactured in the European Union !

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6x DAC: FRONT PANEL

The facade is made of natural or black anodized aluminum specific to the manufacturer's series 6. It is of excellent quality and gives the product a very high-quality appearance.

The facade is very comprehensive in terms of information:

• The state of the device, on, in standby, or in mute.
• The sampling frequency of the digital signal from 44.1 to 768 kHz !
• The six selectable digital filters
• The DSD format from 64 to 512
• The selection of inputs, optical, coaxial, AES/EBU, and USB
• The selection of fixed or variable outputs in the case of using the M6x Dac as a preamplifier.

In addition to this, a stereo headphone output Jack 6.35mm and a volume potentiometer.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6x DAC: CONNECTORS

Le DAC Musical Fidelity M6x DAC offers almost all the connections one can expect on a high-end converter.

On the input, there is a coaxial SPDIF, two Toslink optical, an asynchronous USB B, and a 110 Ohm XLR AES/EBU.

Outputs analogiques In RCA are doubled by balanced XLR outputs. These outputs can be configured as fixed outputs or variable outputs.

In addition, there is the power input in the standard IEC format.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6x DAC: TECHNOLOGY

Technically, the Musical Fidelity M6x DAC converter relies on the superb Sabre ES9038Q2M converter.

But the particularity here is that, Musical Fidelity uses two Sabre ES bullets in double differential mode.

So that the digital part does not interact with the part analogique, these two circuits are completely separate.

The power supplies and regulations (5) are completely separate, and the transformer was selected to provide the lowest possible level of electromagnetic interference. This toroidal transformer has been encapsulated to emit no radiation.

Le M6x DAC is equipped with a headphone amplifiersOf high quality, which can, with the help of a network playerOr a computer and an excellent helmet, constitute a Hi-Fi system. This amplifier is built around a 1.5W class AB power stage under 32 Ohms.

Les amplifiers output analogiques work in class A, and are built around discrete components.

The signal processing is also performed by a circuit analogique totally symmetrical.

Le M6x DAC offers ultra-low distortion, a very wide bandwidth, and low noise. The technical performance of the M6x DAC are comparable to converters worth more than 2 or 3 times its price.

The Jitter is less than 12pps, the S/N ratio is also greater than 120dB, the separation stereo exceeds 130dB at 1kHz! The frequency response is linear from 10Hz to 20 KHz and the distortion is below 0.0005%.

The technical data is impressive for a product in this range.

MUSICAL FIDELITY M6x DAC: RESTITUTION

We paired it with a network player with a coaxial cableAnd used Qobuz HD.

From the very first measurements, we are surprised by its neutrality and the transparency offered by this M6x DAC.

However, the stamps are absolutely not "green" or lacking in substance. On the contrary, they show a certain thickness and remarkable realism. The DAC seems to slightly enhance the music without ever going overboard or becoming caricatured. The soundstage manages to find the right balance between breadth and sufficient precision, for a perfect placement of the instruments in space. This is combined with remarkable dynamics and "punch." It restores to the music digital of "warmth" and a lot of character and presence. One quickly forgets the electronics to focus solely on the musique ! !

Le Musical Fidelity M6x DAC seems to be the perfect blend between its former British origins and its new Austrian DNA !

It is a success and our favorite that joins theAtoll DAC 300 in the leading pack of the best A/D converters under 3500 euros !

Awards

Hi-Fi News "Outstanding Product"