Musical Fidelity M6x DAC - Black

Musical Fidelity M6x DAC - Black

What You Need to Know

Digital Music with Natural Scale and Flow

The Musical Fidelity M6x DAC is a full-size digital hub, preamplifier, and headphone amplifier created for listeners who want high-resolution detail without sacrificing tonal richness or musical momentum. Its dual-mono conversion architecture, extensive inputs, and robust analog stages give streamers, computers, and disc transports a more open, dimensional, and engaging voice.

If you want one serious component to handle digital conversion, system volume, and demanding headphones, the M6x DAC was designed for you.

Dual ESS DACs Sharpen Focus without Losing Warmth

Two ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chips operate in dual-differential, dual-mono mode so each channel receives dedicated conversion resources. You’ll hear cleaner separation, more stable imaging, and finely resolved transients while music retains the weight and ease associated with Musical Fidelity electronics.

Reclocking and Upsampling Reveal More of the Performance

Advanced reclocking is active on every digital input to reduce timing errors before conversion. Switchable upsampling can raise incoming PCM to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, letting you compare a smoother, more refined presentation with the immediacy of native-rate playback.

Eight Filter Settings Put You in Control

Seven oversampling filters and a dedicated oversampling-bypass mode let you fine-tune transient character, high-frequency response, and spatial presentation. Leave the M6x at its standard setting for effortless listening or explore the options to find the best match for your recordings and system.

Balanced Outputs and Serious Headphone Power

Independent output buffers serve the RCA and fully differential XLR connections, with fixed or variable operation for use with an integrated amplifier, preamplifier, active speakers, or power amplifier. The current-feedback Class AB headphone stage supplies 1.5 watts per channel into 32 ohms, giving many full-size headphones confident dynamics and control.

Quiet Power and Solid European Construction

A Super Silent encapsulated toroidal transformer, EMI-filtered power inlet, and DC blocker reduce electrical interference and mechanical hum. The rigid aluminum front and side panels shield sensitive circuitry and give the M6x DAC the substantial build expected from Musical Fidelity’s M6 series.

Building Your System

Connect a streamer, CD transport, television, or computer through coaxial, optical, AES/EBU, or asynchronous USB. USB supports PCM up to 32-bit/768kHz, DSD256 through DoP, and native DSD512, while the S/PDIF-family inputs accept PCM and MQA up to 24-bit/192kHz.

Use fixed output with an integrated amplifier or preamplifier, or select variable output to control active speakers or a power amplifier directly. Balanced XLR connections provide 4V RMS output, while RCA connections provide the standard 2V RMS level.

Features & Specifications

Dual-Mono ESS Sabre Conversion
Two ES9038Q2M DACs in dual-differential operation improve channel separation, image stability, and low-level resolution.

Advanced Reclocking on Every Input
Incoming digital signals are synchronized to the M6x master clock for cleaner timing and more precise transients.

Switchable Upsampling and Eight Filter Settings
Compare native playback with 352.8/384kHz upsampling and tailor the presentation through seven filters or bypass mode.

PCM 768kHz, Native DSD512, and MQA
Broad format support accommodates advanced computer-audio libraries, legacy digital sources, and hardware MQA decoding.

Fixed or Variable RCA and XLR Outputs
Use the M6x as a conventional DAC or let its digital volume control drive a power amplifier or active speakers directly.

1.5-Watt Headphone Amplifier
The current-feedback Class AB stage delivers fast, low-noise drive for headphones rated at 16 ohms or higher.

Specifications

·       Type: Digital-to-analog converter, digital preamplifier, and headphone amplifier

·       DAC Architecture: 32-bit ESS HyperStream II, dual-mono and dual-differential

·       DAC Chips: 2 x ESS ES9038Q2M

·       Digital Inputs: 1 x coaxial, 2 x optical, 1 x AES/EBU, and 1 x USB Type-B Audio Class 2.0

·       USB Support: PCM to 32-bit/768kHz; DSD256 via DoP; native DSD512

·       S/PDIF and AES/EBU Support: PCM and MQA to 24-bit/192kHz

·       Digital Processing: Reclocking, switchable upsampling, seven oversampling filters plus bypass, and full hardware MQA decoding

·       Analog Outputs: 1 x stereo RCA pair and 1 x stereo balanced XLR pair; fixed or variable

·       Line Output: 2V RMS RCA; 4V RMS XLR; <10Ω output impedance

·       Headphone Output: 6.3mm variable

·       Headphone Amplifier Power: 1.5W per channel into 32Ω

·       Recommended Headphone Impedance: 16Ω minimum

·       Digital Performance: <12ps correlated jitter; >120dB A-weighted SNR; <0.0005% THD

·       Channel Separation / Response: >130dB at 10kHz; -0.1dB at 10Hz to -0.4dB at 20kHz

·       Maximum Power Consumption: 20W; <0.5W standby

·       Dimensions (W x H x D): 440 x 100 x 390mm (17.3 x 3.9 x 15.4 in.)

·       Weight: 6.9kg (15.2 lb.)

·       Finish: Black

·       Warranty: Three years, parts and labor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the M6x DAC connect directly to a power amplifier, active speakers, or headphones?
Yes—the RCA and XLR outputs can operate in variable mode for direct level control, and the built-in 6.3mm headphone amplifier delivers 1.5 watts per channel into 32 ohms.

How is the M6x DAC a step up from the M3x DAC?
The M6x adds dual ES9038Q2M converters, PCM support to 768kHz, native DSD512, MQA decoding, selectable filters and upsampling, more advanced reclocking, and a powerful built-in headphone amplifier.

What would I gain by moving up to the M8x DAC?
The M8x adds discrete Class A analog stages, a fully balanced 3.2-watt headphone amplifier with 4-pin XLR output, expanded connectivity, and more ambitious power-supply and chassis construction, while the M6x preserves the core dual-mono flexibility at a lower price.

Who is the Musical Fidelity M6x DAC designed for?
It is designed for listeners who want a versatile full-size DAC with high-resolution format support, balanced variable outputs, flexible sound adjustment, and enough headphone power for serious personal listening.

Why Audio Advisor?

·       40+ Years of Expertise – Helping music lovers build better systems since 1981.

·       60-Day Money-Back Guarantee – Hear it in your own system with confidence.

·       Real Product Experts – Friendly advice before and after your purchase.

·       Free Shipping – On qualifying orders over $49.

·       Flexible Financing – Convenient payment options available.