Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier & DAC Review

[Bleib]

Back panel is lovely, other companies should take note on that part

 

[Gio]

Another star falling down.

 

[AaronJ]

Tough critics nitpicking all the individual aspects while ignoring the immense amount of functionality. DAC and amplifier sections are not SOTA but are transparent to human ears. Tons of connectivity relative to similar sized and priced units. The only fault I see is the user experience with the front panel which is where all the human interface comes into play, and to me it’s the sort of thing that would make me not wish to own it.

 

[Linnie]

I wanted to test that but it did so poorly that I didn't bother.

Would be nice to learn more about that. People who buy this product category would probably be interested in connecting a record player.

 

[daniboun]

How the hell does the DAC perform so poorly in 2026? Is this 'voiced' or something?

This amplifier was released in 2022...

 

[Mort]

This amplifier was released in 2022...

Ha ok. Small reprieve.

 

[NHL99]

https://www.whathifi.com/hi-fi/stereo-amplifiers/quad-3
$1895

'reminds us of a similar design we encountered on the five-star Mission 778X amp. Considering Quad and Mission are owned by the same company, it’s not a huge surprise to see shared designs, and it’s one we’re happy to see repeated on the Quad 3.'

 

[DanielT]

Tough critics nitpicking all the individual aspects while ignoring the immense amount of functionality. DAC and amplifier sections are not SOTA but are transparent to human ears. Tons of connectivity relative to similar sized and priced units. The only fault I see is the user experience with the front panel which is where all the human interface comes into play, and to me it’s the sort of thing that would make me not wish to own it.

You have a point about the transparency, but I think it has a little too little power for that price. Plus the phono input was so bad according to Amir, see #11, that he didn't even bother to report the results.

I'm a little curious about how an Misson 778X, just the amp section, would measure vs. a vintage Mission Cyrus 2, preferably with an external power supply PSX in that case.


Bought because of the great price, will probably sell it. Works flawlessly. Temporarily set up.

 

[Scrivs]

This amplifier was released in 2022...

Thanks for the inside pictures as always, Dani, very much appreciated as always, dude.
Looks like a pair of chip amps here, TDA7294, LM3886, or something similar, adequate enough for die hard A/B fans I guess.

 

[AndreaT]

Not competitive with current Class D offers

 

[aagstn]

Getting all those features in one device usually requires some compromise. I would imagine it sounds just fine listening to music. I like how compact it is and it has a ton of inputs.

 

[Ajax]

Sub par performance in every significant metric and features when compared to the WiiM Amp Ultra at 2/3 the price.

I was listening to mine tonight, superb piece of kit and a no brainer at $US530.

 

[daniboun]

Thanks for the inside pictures as always, Dani, very much appreciated as always, dude.
Looks like a pair of chip amps here, TDA7294, LM3886, or something similar, adequate enough for die hard A/B fans I guess.

The 778X's power amp stage is a Class AB design incorporating a low-noise 200VA toroidal transformer. This is followed by 2x15000uF reservoir but I don t know about the Mosfet modules used....

 

[ROOSKIE]

The way the inputs/controls & indicators work makes this a hard pass for me no matter what else & the 'else' is also not that great.
Had to vote 'poor' here.

 

[Bleib]

Sub par performance in every significant metric and features when compared to the WiiM Amp Ultra at 2/3 the price.

I was listening to mine tonight, superb piece of kit and a no brainer at $US530.

Wiim could do with some more inputs
It's odd that it doesn't even have USB in

 

[billou5767]

Not competitive with current Class D offers

how many live 2/4 year ?

 

[mns3dhm]

It seems several manufacturers have decided that connectivity or ‘functionality’ is more important than performance to at least some buyers. The problem is, as ASR readers realize, there are much better performing products with similar connectivity in this price range.

 

[billou5767]

It seems several manufacturers have decided that connectivity or ‘functionality’ is more important than performance to at least some buyers. The problem is, as ASR readers realize, there are much better performing products with similar connectivity in this price range.

asr readers , top 1% audio , who buy class D amp make by virgin on moonlight ...

 

[phoenixdogfan]

Apart from the digital functionality, I feel like I could have bought the same integrated amp in 1974, and that's the problem. And obviously anyone can do way better for less money today with anything from Wiim to Fosi to Topping. It is sleek looking, though.

As always, very fine review Amir. Thank you.

 

[Mnyb]

Agreed. But not even Purifi has uniform distortion vs power vs frequency like the Mission, or other good linear power amps like (strange to say on ASR) the JBL SDR-35:

View attachment 520893 View attachment 520894

That’s kind of a mirage and not a goal in itself. Purify has so incredibly low distortion at lower frequencies that the optics of seeing the curves are a bit misleading, they are still not bad at higher frequencies, beyond audible.