The M6xiDAC is yet another milestone in MUSICAL FIDELITY's long lineage of groundbreaking digital-to-analog converters. Its predecessor, the M6siDAC, was one of the first D/A converters to use the legendary and internationally multi-award-winning ESS 32-bit HyperStream II DAC architecture.
It was praised by the international trade press as, among other things, the best digital-to-analog converter in the world. With the M6sRiDAC model, the use of DSD was simplified, and it was the first MUSICAL FIDELITY D/A converter to feature certified full Roon functionality.

The new M6xiDAC now consistently continues this path. New converter chips, used in pairs for channel separation, along with an entirely new operating concept that offers previously unimagined possibilities, make the M6xiDAC one of the most ambitious digital-to-analog converters of our time. Experience your digital sources in a completely new way and discover how musical digital music can sound.
And now it is award-winning, too! The EISA association has chosen the MUSICAL FIDELITY M6xiDAC as the best device in the "Digital-to-Analog Converter" category!

M6xiDAC – Features

-5 digital inputs
-2x optical Toslink
-1x electrical S/PDIF
-1x AES/EBU
-1x USB-B
-fully balanced signal processing
-channel-separated digital-to-analog conversion
-High-resolution up to 32 bit / 768 kHz or DSD 512
-Roon-tested
-MQA decoding
-balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog outputs
-switchable preamplifier function
-headphone amplifier
-8 switchable digital filters
-switchable upsampling
-elegant and solid chassis

Excellent experience with Sabre-ESS circuits prompted the engineers at MUSICAL FIDELITY to use the brand-new ES9038Q2M ICs. The M6xiDAC uses two of these in dual-differential mode. This enables a pristine dual-mono design – meaning 100% channel separation right from the digital side. Incorporating a time-domain jitter eliminator leads to previously unheard-of measurement results in terms of time accuracy, dynamic precision, and low distortion. A notable example is the channel separation of over 130 dB at full scale.

For MUSICAL FIDELITY, reclocking and upsampling incoming digital signals has always been the best way to achieve excellent sound results. This is especially relevant given that many digital signal sources do not always deliver a perfectly flawless signal – be it TV, MiniDisc, or other sources not optimized for the highest sound quality. Recently, however, there have been noticeable improvements in signal quality on the digital source side.

The M6xiDAC now offers the ability to selectively use reclocking and data upsampling with the help of the 8 built-in filter settings. You can choose freely for each source and configure the digital-to-analog conversion exactly according to your wishes.

The M6xiDAC allows for detailed tuning of the audio experience. It is equipped with several preset reconstruction filters. This adaptability of the M6xiDAC makes it a powerful tool for music lovers who want to rediscover their music collection.
Choose between the various digital filters and adapt the playback to your sonic preferences or your HiFi setup. In this way, the M6xiDAC can be used like a professional tool for the experienced user. A list and explanation of the digital filters can be found on the next page.

M6xiDAC – The PCB Layout
Digital-to-analog converters present their own design challenges compared to analog amplifiers. Digital and analog circuits each have their own electronic requirements. MUSICAL FIDELITY has always addressed this through clever PCB layout – without vanity for an eye-catching board design just for the sake of appearances. Design and layout are specifically tailored for each application. In doing so, equal attention is paid to excellent measured values and sonic considerations.

M6xiDAC – The Outputs
On the output side, the M6xiDAC connects to downstream equipment via RCA and XLR. The output stages for the balanced and unbalanced outputs in the M6xiDAC are separately buffered, which also allows for the simultaneous connection of both connection types. Both output stages are of superior audio quality with extremely low noise and, when demanded by the signal, high output voltage and current-carrying capacity.

The excellent gain bandwidth and very fast slew rate result in distortion at the limit of measurability. The output gain is generously dimensioned and, thanks to its low output impedance, can easily drive even longer cables.

M6xiDAC – The Preamplifier

The outputs can provide either a fixed-level or a volume-controlled preamplifier signal. You can select this at the touch of a button. Thus, in addition to classic stereo systems, active speakers or power amplifiers can be connected directly.

M6xiDAC – The Power Supply

The M6xiDAC presents MUSICAL FIDELITY's latest development in power supply for audio circuits: the Super-Silent Power Transformer. Incoming power is prepared for its audiophile task with an EMI filter and a DC blocker. This prevents interference and eliminates transformer hum in a highly effective manner right at the power input. The encapsulated toroidal transformer with low core saturation is optimized for highly demanding audio applications and is perfect for digital audio due to its extremely low electromagnetic radiation.

M6xiDAC – The Headphone Amplifier

The built-in headphone amplifier is of exceptional technical and sonic quality. It allows you to enjoy the outstanding qualities of the M6xiDAC directly and without detours with your headphones. Thus, special setups where speakers are not intended are feasible without additional equipment. The very high output power drives every pair of headphones to its maximum possible performance.

The current-feedback AB architecture of the built-in headphone amplifier operates with high bandwidth, extremely low noise, and a dynamic range of up to 128 dB.

The high current capability typical of MUSICAL FIDELITY prevents the headphone diaphragm from having a "mind of its own," thereby reducing even- and odd-order distortion. At the same time, it allows the amplifier to react quickly and linearly – even when large amounts of output power are suddenly required. This purposefully eliminates any background noise from the circuit and dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio. The power-independent frequency response allows you to use the amplifier's full bandwidth at any volume setting.

DAC circuit:
32-bit Hyperstream II

D/A converter:
2x ES9038Q2M (dual differential)

Jitter; total:
<12 picoseconds peak to peak

Linearity:
< ± 0.4 dB down to -130 dB

Frequency response:
-0.1 dB at 10 Hz; 0 dB at 1 kHz; -0.4 dB at 20 kHz

Channel separation:
> 130 dB at 10 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Signal-to-noise ratio:
>120 dB/A at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

THD (distortion):
< 0.0005% at 1 kHz @ 0 dBFS

Output level (digital 0dB):
RCA output 2.2 V RMS; XLR output 4.4 V RMS

Output impedance:
47 ohms

Digital inputs:
1x Coax / S/P-Diff
(up to 24bit 192kHz - stereo PCM + MQA)
2x Optical / Toslink
(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 32bit 768kHz - stereo PCM + MQA)
DSD 256 (stereo DoP), DSD512 (stereo native)

Analog outputs:
1 pair RCA / Cinch unbalanced
Fixed level / pre-amplifier output switchable, output level up to 2 V RMS at 0 dBFS
1 pair XLR balanced
Fixed level / pre-amplifier output switchable, output level up to 4 V RMS at 0 dBFS
1x 6.3 mm jack (headphone variable)

Herstellerangaben:

Musical Fidelity, a division of Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH
Margaretenstrasse 98
A-1050 , Vienna
Austria
info@musicalfidelity.com

Verantwortliche Person:

REICHMANN AudioSystems
4 Graneggstrasse
8078 , Niedereschach
Germany
info@reichmann-audiosysteme.de