Mission 778X: High quality integrated stereo amplifier

Mission has a new integrated stereo amplifier. This may not seem like a big deal until you realize that the last such amplifier was released almost 40 years ago, in 1983 (the same year Return of the Jedi was released in theaters). Luckily, it looks like the Mission 778X was worth the wait.

The original Model 778 was released six years after Mission was formed. It combined decent build quality, simple controls and a wide range of inputs in a relatively affordable package. After that, Mission didn’t stop making amplifiers – it just did it under the new Cyrus brand. But now we have a new model called Mission.

The 778X offers the same benefits as the original 778, but updated to meet modern standards.

With a wide range of inputs, it will play well with all your digital and analogue music sources. These include an asynchronous USB Type B and three S/PDIF jacks (one coaxial and two optical), as well as three stereo RCA inputs (two line level plus an MM phono input for turntables). What about the exits? Digital outputs are available in optical and coaxial options, and pre-out jacks allow you to connect the amplifier to an external power amplifier.

Of course, there’s Bluetooth on board for wireless playback from a computer or mobile device, and it supports aptX and AAC codecs.

Two rotary dials on the front of the unit control source selection and volume, while white LEDs around them indicate the current settings. The front panel also houses the power button, IR sensor, and 6.3mm headphone port.

Inside is a high-frequency DAC based on the ES9018K2M chipset from the Saber32 Reference family. Using ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, it should provide high dynamic range and low distortion. Hi-res PCM files up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to 11.2 MHz (DSD256) are supported.

The Mission 778X is available for £549 (about $666, AU$980). It also comes bundled with select Mission stands: you can buy it bundled with two Mission LX-2 MkII speakers for £649 (a saving of £130 when purchasing the units separately) or with two Mission QX-2 MkII speakers for £799 (a saving £150).

The amplifier comes in silver or black, while the speakers come in matte black, matte white or walnut.