Mission 778X Stereo Integrated Amplifier – New Product

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All Image Credit: Mission

Hailing from Cambridgeshire, England, Mission are well known for their famed range of audiophile speakers, but in 1983 they also manufactured and sold their first and only Mission branded amplifier, the 778. In 1984 Mission launched the Cyrus brand – an offshoot for its amps and other audio electronics, leaving Mission to focus solely on loudspeakers.

Now Mission has launched the Mission branded 778X stereo integrated amplifier, a fully modernized version of its original compact 778, with all the connectivity to fulfill todays audiophiles needs. The 778X shares the original’s ‘half-width’ form factor which houses a low-noise 200VA toroidal transformer, a 30,000uF power supply and a Class A/B output stage that provides 45 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 65watts per channel into 4 Ohms.

The internal DAC is built around an ESS ES9018K2M chip with ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver excellent dynamic range and ultra-low distortion. Hi-res PCM is supported to 32-bit/384kHz alongside DSD to 11.2 MHz (DSD256). According to Mission, special attention was paid to the post-DAC filter components and its design in order to maintain the highest sonic standards. The DAC can be accessed by several rear panel digital inputs; USB, coaxial, optical and via AAC/aptX-enabled Bluetooth. Analogue inputs include 2 x line-level and a “low-noise JFET-based” MM phono stage. The pre-amplifier stereo outputs can be used to connect the 778X to an outboard power amplifier or subwoofer.

Careful attention has been given to circuitry layout, the use of a microprocessor-controlled analogue volume stage and independent low-noise power supplies for all critical stages, thereby minimizing noise and interference for all digital and analog sources.

Control is available via the supplied IR remote or the two large front panel rotary controls for volume and input selection. Between these controls are the IR sensor, power button and 1/4″  headphone output that uses a current-feedback design and high slew rate ensuring a dynamic and detailed performance with all manner of headphones.

The rear panel contains; inputs for digital sources that include asynchronous USB Type B and three S/PDIF sockets (one coaxial and two optical), while digital outputs include both optical and coaxial connectors. Analogue connectivity includes three stereo RCA inputs; two line-level plus a MM phono input, pre-out RCA sockets for the addition of an external power amplifier or subwoofer, two pairs of speaker binding posts and an IEC mains socket. Bluetooth reception supports wireless audio streaming from smartphones, tablets and PC’s using several CODECS including aptX and AAC.

To promote the sale of the 778X, Mission UK is currently offering several speaker/778X packages with notable discounts.

• Digital-to-Analogue Converter, Stereo Amplifier
• Integrated Amplifier (45 watts @8 ohms, 65 watts @4 ohms)
• ESS Sabre32 ES9018K2M Reference Chip
• Ultra-low Noise Digital Audio File Compatibility (384kHz PCM, DSD256) • Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX / AAC) Support
• Dedicated High-performance, Low-noise MM Phono Stage
• Headphone AMP With High-speed Output Signal Transition
• USB Upgrade Support
• Large Tactile Controls With LED Level Indicators

Technical Specifications:

• Inputs: 1 x Coaxial, 2 x Toslink Optical, 1 x PC USB, 1 x Bluetooth (aptX/AAC), 2 x AUX,1 x RCA (Phono MM)
• Outputs: 1 x Coaxial, 1 x Toslink Optical, 1 x RCA (PRE Out)
• Sampling Frequency: Optical / Coaxial: 44.1kHz-192kHz; PC USB:44.1kHz-384kHz(PCM) / DSD64, DSD128, DSD256
• Preamplifier Section:
  • Gain (max.)+0dB (Line), +47dB (Phono MM)
  • Input Sensitivity: 540mV (Line, Volume = 0dB); 2.5mV (Phone MM, Volume = 0dB)
  • Input Impedance: 10K (AUX); 47K//100pF (Phono MM)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.003%
  • Frequency Response: (ref. 1kHz) 20Hz-20kHz (±0.1dB)
  • PRE Output Level: 2.1Vrms (max.)
  • PRE Output SNR: >110dB (A-weighted)
• DAC:
  • D to A Converter: ESS Sabre32 ES9018K2M
  • Resolution: 32-bit
  • Max. Sampling Frequency: Optical/Coaxial: 192kHz; USB: PCM 384kHz / 11.2896MHz (DSD256)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion: (THD)< 0.001% (1KHz @ 0dBFS)
  • Output Level: (0dBFS, 1KHz) 2.1Vrms
• Power Amplifier:
  • Rated Power Output: 2 x 45W (@8ohms); 2 x 65W (@ 4 ohms)
  • Frequency Response: (ref. 1kHz) 20Hz-20KHz (± 0.5dB)
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.005% (30W / 8 ohms)
  • Input Sensitivity: 540mV (RCA AUX In); 2.5mV (Phono MM)
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR): >108dB (ref. 45W, A-weighted)
  • Crosstalk @1K: >80dB (ref.1W)
• Headphone Amplifier:
  • Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): < 0.01% (1kHz, 50mW )
  • Output Impedance: 4.7 ohms
  • Load impedance: 20-600 ohms

The Mission 778X began shipping December 2022 and is available in silver or black for a very reasonable price.

• US: Amazon $549.00 – seller International Audio Group (IAG)
• UK: £549.00