Classic British Brand Mission Unveils First Amplifier In 40 Years

In 1983, six years after Mission was founded, the British loudspeaker maker launched its first integrated stereo amplifier. The 778's case was narrower than most hi-fi amps of the time and it received acclaim for its build quality and circuitry. Users loved its simple controls and appreciated the good range of inputs. The price was relatively affordable and the sound matched Mission's speakers perfectly.

A year later, Mission launched the Cyrus sub-brand for its amps and, eventually, other audio electronics so that Mission could focus solely on loudspeakers. Therefore, the 778 was the only integrated amp branded as a Mission product… until now.

Mission is ready to launch another integrated amp under its own brand. The new 778X shares much in common with its ancestor of 40 years ago. It still features a compact, half-width design with a sound that belies its compact footprint. Like the original model, it has a useful range of inputs, albeit updated to suit today's digital age. And while the circuitry has been completely redesigned to match and exceed contemporary standards, the company claims it's a great sonic match for Mission's current range of loudspeakers.

When the original 778 amplifier was launched, most people listened to vinyl records, cassette tapes and FM radio. The new-fangled CD had only just arrived on the scene, offering a glimpse of the future of digital audio. Four decades on, the audio sources we use for music, whether digital or analog, are far more varied, including smartphones, computers, CD players and the good old vinyl turntable. Mission says the new 778X amplifier is designed to cater to them all.

Inputs for digital sources include an asynchronous USB Type B and three S/PDIF sockets (one coaxial and two optical), while the digital outputs are available in optical and coaxial flavors. Analog signals are catered for with three stereo RCA inputs – two at line-level and one as an MM phono input for turntables. Three pre-out sockets enable the connection of an external power amplifier so that the 778X can be used as a preamp. A Bluetooth receiver is also included for streaming music from smartphones and tablets with support for aptX and AAC audio codecs.

The front of the 778X has a pair of smooth-acting rotary controls. One is for source selection, while the other adjusts the volume levels. Each control is ringed by white LEDs that indicate the levels. There's an infrared sensor, power button, and 6.3mm headphone output between the two controls.

Digital sources connected through the USB, coaxial, optical inputs and Bluetooth feed into the 778X's DAC based on the ES9018K2M chipset from the Sabre32 Reference family. The DAC enables the amplifier to access ESS Technology's 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator to deliver outstanding sound and ultra-low distortion. Hi-res PCM is supported to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside DSD to 11.2 MHz (DSD256).

Although high spec, the Sabre32 Reference DAC chips aren't the easiest to implement. The sound can appear harsh and overly bright if the amplifier's circuitry isn't good enough. If the DAC is paired well, the level of detail and musicality from the Sabre32 chips can be captivating. A critical element is the post-DAC active filter. Mission says its design team has paid great attention to this part of the circuitry, using op-amps chosen for their ability to match the ES9018K2M.

The 778X's power amp stage is a Class AB design rather than digital. It incorporates a 200VA toroidal transformer. This is followed by a two-15000uF reservoir capacity (30000uF in total). The capacitors help keep control of the music while ensuring an excellent dynamic range. The 778X's output is 45W into 8Ω and 65W into 4Ω; that's plenty of power for driving any speakers the amp is likely to use.

The preamp section has been deliberately kept simple to maintain signal purity. The line input signals are passed to a precision, microprocessor-controlled analog volume stage. Mission has put a lot of effort into the physical layout of the 778X's circuits, protecting the sensitive preamp section from any possible noise interference. Due to the use of independent low-noise power supplies for all critical stages, Mission claims the 778X excels with all digital and analog sources.

Vinyl lovers will appreciate the inclusion of a phono stage for moving magnet cartridges. The phono stage is a high-quality, low-noise JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalization. Meanwhile, the 778X has a dedicated headphone amp that offers a dynamic and detailed performance regardless of the headphones used.

The 778X can work with a wide range of speakers, from budget models to exclusive designs costing a small fortune. The amp is also explicitly designed to match Mission's loudspeakers perfectly. To prove the point, Mission is promoting two package deals that combine the 778X with popular standmount models from its range, offering great value and high-quality audio systems.

The first package includes a pair of Mission LX-2 MkII speakers at a price of £649, saving £130. The second package upgrades the speakers to the Mission QX-2 MkII for £799, saving £150. In both cases, the speakers are available in matt black, matt white or walnut.

Mission's 778X looks like a traditional hi-fi amplifier thanks to its uncomplicated front-mounted controls and simple remote. However, the specification is tailored for modern-day music listening. Mission describes the sound as free-flowing with smooth control for fully engaging the listener. The 778X's has a crisply defined detail that brings out the character of voices and instruments. The amp's transient ability keeps the listener's feet tapping with rhythmic music.

Pricing & Availability: The Mission 778X integrated stereo amplifier is available from December 2022 in a choice of silver or black and costs $799 / £549 / €799, which is considerably less than the original 778 amplifier which sold for £240 at the time, which equates to £745 when adjusted for inflation.

More info: www.mission.co.uk