Musical Fidelity M6s DAC Digital to Analogue Converter – Black

Here we have an upmarket Digital to Analogue Converter from British company Musical Fidelity. As well as acting as a standalone DAC the M6s DAC can also function as a headphone amplifier and a digital preamplifier. It is in very good condition with a couple of minor blemishes and comes in original factory packaging. Also included are a remote control, manual, cleaning cloth, gloves, USB stick plus our standard three month warranty.
Musical Fidelity Say….
The M6s DAC consists of four stereo 32 bit DACs arranged in a fully differential (balanced) dual mono topology. It also features a top quality over sampling 32 bit sample rate converter circuit, which asynchronously up-samples all incoming data rates to 768 kHz internally.
This moves the digital artefacts to well outside the audio band, allowing easy removal without detriment to the top end of the audio band. Our well-tuned filtering circuit gives immeasurably small jitter, noise and distortion artefacts allowing astounding imaging, detail and transparency, to deliver all music types exactly as the artist originally intended.
This revised design now takes into account different sampling frequencies with the upper bandwidth now extending to 90 kHz for 384 kHz natively sampled input signals.
The M6s DAC fully asynchronous USB input copes with PCM inputs up to 32-bit 384 kHz sample rate and DSD 128. This takes full advantage of the higher quality recordings now available. It works with all personal computers running Microsoft Windows, Linux and Mac OS.
The M6s DAC is a very high-quality 32/768 kHz upsampling/reclocking DAC. It has 7 inputs: 3 x Coax, 3 x Optical and 1 x USB. It will accept all data rates up to 32 bit 768 kHz and DSD 64/128. All inputs are upsampled to 32/768.
The M6s DAC has incredibly low distortion, 0.0004% at 20 kHz…breathtaking. Stereo separation is better than 120 dB. Noise ratio is better than 119 dB down….the music is presented on a black velvet background. Linearity is better than 110 dB. It excels in every technical area.
The fixed/variable, single ended/balanced output stage employs state-of-the-art components and circuitry which deliver superlative technical and sonic performance and exceptional load driving characteristics and will drive any combination of cable/length/electronics flawlessly.
The headphone amp has the same design philosophy and implementation.
The M6s DAC’s immediate sonic impression is of effortless grace and transparency…there is a sensation of communication from the artists that is hypnotic and compelling. It is so musically integrated: the whole sound is sweet and clear; the treble is completely grain free and extended. The bottom end sounds endless with tactile bass dynamics and light speed fast attack/decay. The imaging, as you would expect from better than 120 dB separation, is excellent: side to side, image placement, a palpable sense of the recording venue that places the performers in real-time holographic space.
Features:
32 bit 768 kHz
True Upsampling/Reclocking DAC with DSD
7 Inputs
Very High Performance Headphone Amp
Single Ended and Balanced Fixed/Variable Outputs
Specifications:
Output (RCA/XLR) –
Output impedance: 47 ohms
Output, digital 0 dB level: RCA output – 2.2 V R.M.S. nominal (RCA) 4.4 V R.M.S. (XLR)
Headphones –
Power: 1.5 W / channel into 32 Ω
Output Devices: 2 per channel
Output Impedance: 40 Ω Suitable for 10-600 Ω headphones
THD: < 0.005 % typical 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Signal/Noise Ratio: > 115 dB “A” wtd
Frequency Response: + 0, – 1 dB 20 Hz to 50 kHz
DAC –
DAC Circuit: 32 bit Hyperstream II
Total Correlated Jitter: < 12 picoseconds peak to peak
Linearity: < ± 0.1 dB down to – 96 dB
Frequency Response: < 2 Hz to 90 kHz typically, – 3 dB (192 kHz input sample rate)
Channel Separation: > 105 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Signal To Noise: > 120 dB “A”- wtd
Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.0012 % 10 Hz to 20 kHz
Connections –
Line Level Outputs: 1 pair line level RCA (phono), left and right; 1 pair line level XLR (balanced), left and right
Digital Inputs: 3 RCA coaxial SPDIF in, 32-192 kbps (16-24 bit stereo PCM); 3 TOSLINK optical in, 32-96 kbps (16-24 bit stereo PCM); 1 USB 2.0 in, type ‘Micro B’ connector for computer/PDA/other “host”; 16-32 bits, 32-192 kbps fully asynchronous; (Actual data determined by source file/computer software settings)
Power requirement –
Mains Voltages: 230 V/115 V Internally set or 100 V optional
Consumption: 20 Watts maximum
Dimensions: 440 (W) x 380 (D) x 100 (H) mm
Weight: 6.9 kg

To read a review from Hi-Fi Choice magazine please click here