Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Mission 778X is an integrated amplifier and DAC from Mission (Cambridge, England), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Mission's first integrated amplifier in over 40 years, the 778X revives the compact half-width format of the original Mission 778 from 1983, updated with a fully modern signal path and a comprehensive digital input suite. Delivering 45 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 65 watts per channel at 4 ohms, with a built-in ESS Sabre32 ES9018K2M 32-bit DAC supporting 384kHz PCM and DSD256 via USB, the 778X combines a JFET-based MM phono stage, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and AAC, a dedicated headphone amplifier, and a pre-amplifier output in a chassis measuring 236 x 98 x 380.6mm and weighing 6.3kg. Winner of five stars from What Hi-Fi? in December 2023, the AVForums Editor's Choice Affordable Stereo Amplifier 2023/2024, and Hi-Fi Choice Best Hi-Fi Amplifier under £600 in 2023, the Mission 778X is one of the most critically recognized integrated amplifiers at its price point.

Amplifier Section: A Modern Signal Path in a Retro Chassis

The 778X's power amplifier delivers 45W per channel into 8 ohms, rising to 65W per channel as impedance halves to 4 ohms, making it well-suited to drive the full Mission 700, 750, and 770 loudspeaker range as well as a wide variety of third-party speakers. Total harmonic distortion in the power amplifier section measures below 0.005% at 30W into 8 ohms, with a signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 108dB A-weighted and crosstalk better than 80dB at 1kHz. The preamplifier section operates with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz within +/-0.1dB, a pre-output level of 2.1Vrms, and an SNR exceeding 110dB A-weighted, reflecting the refined, low-noise signal path that Mission's Director of Acoustic Design Peter Comeau describes as built to the same standard applied to Mission's loudspeaker development. The chassis carries the same retro-modern aesthetic as the Mission 700, 750, and 770 loudspeakers, with two large tactile controls for volume and source selection and an LED level indicator strip, finished in black or silver.

ESS Sabre32 DAC and Digital Connectivity

At the core of the 778X's digital section is the ESS ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference chip, a 32-bit DAC using ESS Technology's HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator for ultra-low noise digital audio conversion. Via the PC USB input the DAC resolves up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 (including DSD64 and DSD128), making the 778X capable of handling the full range of high-resolution digital audio formats available today. Optical and coaxial digital inputs accept signals up to 192kHz. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and AAC codecs enables wireless connection from smartphones, tablets, and computers with near-CD-quality wireless audio. Total harmonic distortion in the DAC section measures below 0.001% at 1kHz and 0dBFS, a benchmark figure for a DAC at this price point. Digital outputs on coaxial and optical allow the 778X to function as a digital hub, passing signals to an outboard DAC or recording device.

Phono Stage, Headphone Amplifier, and Connectivity

The 778X's MM phono stage uses a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalization, providing a high-quality, low-noise vinyl input with a gain of +47dB and an input impedance of 47K ohms in parallel with 100pF, eliminating the need for an external phono preamplifier for moving magnet cartridges. The front-panel headphone amplifier is a dedicated design with a high slew rate for fast output signal transitions, supporting headphone load impedances from 20 to 600 ohms with THD below 0.01% at 50mW. A 6.3mm headphone socket automatically mutes the loudspeaker outputs when headphones are connected. The rear panel provides two RCA AUX line inputs, one coaxial digital input, two Toslink optical inputs, one PC USB input, one Bluetooth antenna connection, one RCA phono input, a pre-output RCA, coaxial digital output, and optical digital output, alongside standard speaker binding posts.

Key Features

• 45W/8 Ohm and 65W/4 Ohm Power Output: A refined, low-noise power amplifier section delivering 45W per channel at 8 ohms and 65W per channel at 4 ohms, with THD below 0.005% and SNR exceeding 108dB A-weighted.
• ESS Sabre32 ES9018K2M 32-Bit DAC: HyperStream architecture with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator supporting 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 via USB, and up to 192kHz via optical and coaxial inputs, with DAC THD below 0.001%.
• JFET-Based MM Phono Stage: A high-quality, low-noise moving magnet phono input with precise RIAA equalization, +47dB gain, and 47K//100pF input impedance, eliminating the need for a separate phono preamplifier.
• Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and AAC: Wireless connection from smartphones, tablets, and computers at near-CD quality via aptX codec, with AAC support for Apple device users.
• Dedicated Headphone Amplifier: A front-panel headphone stage with high slew rate output, supporting load impedances from 20 to 600 ohms with auto-mute of loudspeaker outputs when in use.
• Pre-Amplifier Output: A rear-panel RCA pre-output at 2.1Vrms maximum allows the 778X to drive a separate power amplifier or active subwoofer for system expansion.
• Digital Pass-Through Outputs: Coaxial and optical digital outputs allow the 778X to route digital sources to an outboard DAC or recording device.
• Retro-Modern Half-Width Design: A compact 236 x 98 x 380.6mm chassis with two large tactile controls and LED level indicators, finished in black or silver to match the Mission 778 series aesthetic.

Technical Specifications

Connections at a Glance

• 2 x RCA AUX Line Inputs
• 1 x RCA Moving Magnet Phono Input
• 1 x Coaxial Digital Input
• 2 x Toslink Optical Digital Inputs
• 1 x PC USB Input (up to 384kHz PCM / DSD256)
• 1 x Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX / AAC)
• 1 x RCA Pre-Amplifier Output
• 1 x Coaxial Digital Output
• 1 x Toslink Optical Digital Output
• 1 x 6.3mm Headphone Output (front panel, auto-mute)
• Speaker Binding Posts

Awards and Critical Recognition

• What Hi-Fi? Five Stars - December 2023
• AVForums Editor's Choice: Affordable Stereo Amplifier 2023/2024
• Hi-Fi Choice Best Hi-Fi Amplifier under £600 - 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mission 778X?

The Mission 778X is a compact integrated amplifier and DAC from Mission, the British Hi-Fi brand established in Cambridge in 1977. It delivers 45W per channel at 8 ohms and 65W per channel at 4 ohms, and incorporates an ESS Sabre32 ES9018K2M 32-bit DAC supporting 384kHz PCM and DSD256 via USB, a JFET-based MM phono stage, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX and AAC, and a dedicated headphone amplifier. The 778X won five stars from What Hi-Fi? in December 2023, the AVForums Editor's Choice Affordable Stereo Amplifier 2023/2024, and Hi-Fi Choice Best Hi-Fi Amplifier under £600 in 2023.

How does the Mission 778X compare to the LEAK Stereo 130?

The Mission 778X and the LEAK Stereo 130 are both IAG-family integrated amplifiers at similar power levels, sharing the same 45W per channel at 8 ohms and 65W per channel at 4 ohm output ratings. Both use an ESS Sabre DAC, MM phono stage, Bluetooth with aptX, and a headphone output. The key differences lie in form factor and connectivity. The 778X uses a compact half-width chassis (236mm wide) designed to stack with Mission's 778 series components, while the Stereo 130 is a full-width design at 430mm wide with a more traditional integrated amplifier presentation. The LEAK Stereo 130 is styled to match the LEAK Sandwich 150 and 250 loudspeakers, while the 778X pairs naturally with the Mission 700, 750, and 770. Both are available at Vinyl Sound Buffalo.

Can the Mission 778X decode DSD audio files?

Yes. The Mission 778X decodes DSD audio via its PC USB input, supporting DSD64, DSD128, and DSD256 formats. The USB input also accepts PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz. Optical and coaxial digital inputs are limited to PCM up to 192kHz and do not support DSD. For DSD playback, a computer connection via USB is required, using appropriate playback software such as Audirvana, Roon, or JRiver Media Center configured to output DSD natively to the 778X.

Does the Mission 778X have a phono stage for a turntable?

Yes. The Mission 778X includes a dedicated moving magnet (MM) phono stage using a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalization. It provides +47dB of gain with an input impedance of 47K ohms in parallel with 100pF, which is the standard loading for MM cartridges. This eliminates the need for a separate external phono preamplifier for vinyl playback. The phono stage is not compatible with moving coil (MC) cartridges due to their lower output voltage; an MC step-up transformer or separate MC preamplifier would be required for MC use.

What speakers can the Mission 778X drive?

The Mission 778X delivers 45W into 8 ohms and 65W into 4 ohms, making it well-suited to drive a wide range of loudspeakers with nominal impedances of 4 to 8 ohms. It pairs naturally with the Mission 750 (6 ohms, 25-100W recommended), Mission 700 (8 ohms, 25-150W), and Mission 770 (8 ohms, 25-200W) for a complete Mission system at Vinyl Sound Buffalo. It also drives the LEAK Sandwich 100 (6 ohms, 25-100W) and LEAK Sandwich 150 (6 ohms, 25-150W) effectively. Speakers with very low sensitivity (below 85dB) or complex impedance dips below 4 ohms may benefit from a more powerful amplifier for larger room listening levels.

What is the Mission 778 series and how does the 778X fit into it?

The Mission 778 series is a family of compact half-width components designed to be stacked together as a matching system. The 778X is the integrated amplifier at the centre of the range. It is joined by the Mission 778S network music streamer (released in early 2026) and the Mission 778CDT CD transport, both sharing the same half-width chassis dimensions and retro-modern design language. Together, the three components form a complete source-to-amplifier system that can be driven by the Mission 700, 750, or 770 loudspeakers.

Where can I buy the Mission 778X in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Mission 778X is available at Vinyl Sound USA Inc., located in Buffalo, NY. Vinyl Sound is an authorized Mission dealer serving customers across the United States. Visit the store to audition the 778X alongside the Mission 700, 750, and 770 loudspeakers, or contact the team directly to confirm current stock in black or silver finish.