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Mission MISSION 778X
Over the past 45 years, Mission has become famed for loudspeakers that break the norms of price-point, technology and design. Yet, in its illustrious history, Mission was also responsible for some equally prolific hi-fi electronics.
Thus, the Mission 778X is a revisit of a classic Mission amplifier concept that was the Mission 778 – an affordable integrated amplifier that offered simplicity in operation but over-performed in the driving of loudspeakers.
Today’s Mission 778X maintains the influence of simplistic operation, large tractile controls, and a multitude of inputs. It’s a compact, ’80s inspired integrated amplifier that is fully equipped to meet the demands of modern music lovers, from vinyl fans to digital streamers. Modern twists, such as LED level indicators and all-encompassing connectivity options, make the 778X a truly contemporary integrated amplifier. Boasting a genuine 65 watts (@4 ohms) of power via an utterly modern and refined signal path, to standards akin to the exemplary standards to which Mission loudspeakers are developed.
The phono stage is based around a JFET-based circuit with precise RIAA equalisation. It’s optimised for MM cartridges and as such, it’s a high-quality, low-noise input that eliminates any need for an additional phono pre-amp.
Complementing the typical RCA line inputs are digital and coax connection options and a built-in Bluetooth receiver with an aptX and AAC codec, meaning the 778X offers CD performance via Bluetooth wireless connection. The convenience of streaming music from smart devices, such as phones, tablets or PCs have never sounded so good!
Utilising the acclaimed ES9018K2M Sabre32 Reference chip with ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, the Mission 778X offers ultra-low noise, a high dynamic range of digital audio files with a sampling rate of up to 384kHz (PCM) and DSD256.
Equal in performance to standalone headphone amplifiers, beyond the price- class of this complete system, the design offers high-speed output signal transition thanks to a high slew rate. The result is a dynamic, detailed and engaging performance with all manner of headphone types.
The Mission 778X ’s all round performance is engaging, detailed and refined. Detail, timing and dynamics excel, regardless of source or medium. Designed for the modern-day music enthusiast with a nod to our heritage, the Mission 778X does not discriminate when it comes to expression and enjoyment of your music reproduction.
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Professional Reviews 93/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
91/100
Features Connectivity
94/100
Value for Money
94/100
The Mission 778X pairs a smooth, balanced presentation with expansive soundstage imaging, expressive dynamics and a richly detailed midrange. What Hi-Fi? admired its cohesive musicality across analogue and digital inputs, while Wall of Sound highlighted its deep, precise staging. With MM phono, high-resolution USB DAC, aptX Bluetooth and a capable headphone stage, this compact integrated is a seriously versatile all-rounder.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Smooth, even-handed and detailed sound remains musical and composed across analogue and digital sources.
Wide, deep soundstage with precise placement and a particularly engaging, expressive midrange.
Excellent connectivity includes MM phono, USB DAC, optical and coaxial inputs, aptX Bluetooth, pre-out and a genuinely good headphone output.
Solid, premium-feeling half-width chassis and controls stand out at this level.
&
Cons
Its understated sonic character may be less immediately attention-grabbing than more overtly energetic rivals.
The 45W-per-channel output is best suited to sensibly matched speakers and small-to-medium listening rooms.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers find the 778X notably smooth, balanced and musically cohesive, while still delivering plenty of detail and expressive control. Its particularly expansive, precise soundstage is repeatedly identified as a standout, and its 45W output proves more capable than the compact chassis suggests with suitable speakers.
Transparency Resolution
92/100
What Hi-Fi? says the 778X digs up plenty of detail and arranges it into a tidy, cohesive presentation. Wall of Sound also praises the lifelike leading edges and decays of bells, while What Hi-Fi? finds the DAC crisp yet forgiving rather than clinical.
Tonal Balance Musicality
93/100
The tonal character is consistently praised as wonderfully even-handed, smooth and unobtrusive. Wall of Sound highlights its "mid-range magic" and butter-smooth voicing, while What Hi-Fi? hears an appealing blend of bite, sweetness and insight through the mid and upper frequencies.
Dynamics
90/100
What Hi-Fi? finds dynamics controlled but expressive, with changing musical momentum conveyed convincingly. Wall of Sound reports that the amplifier never ran out of gas in its testing and could unpack powerful guitar-led material, though sensible speaker matching and room size remain important with its 45W rating.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Soundstaging is one of the clearest strengths in the reviews. Wall of Sound calls it outstanding and exemplary, citing a wide, deep stage with pinpoint placement of musicians within the mix.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
What Hi-Fi? considers the 778X one of the best-built integrated amplifiers it has encountered at this level. Wall of Sound likewise says the compact unit feels like a quality-built component.
Features Connectivity
94/100
The 778X combines two analogue line inputs and an MM phono stage with optical, coaxial, USB and aptX/AAC Bluetooth digital connectivity. It also includes a capable ESS DAC, pre-out, remote control and a front-mounted headphone output that reviewers found genuinely enjoyable rather than merely functional.
Value for Money
94/100
Wall of Sound calls the 778X a true bargain and strongly recommends it for high-quality sound at a reasonable cost. What Hi-Fi? notes that it undercuts key rivals and could be the best value among them, while Audiophilepure finds it a convincing all-rounder despite tough competition.
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Authorized dealers for Mission MISSION 778X
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- American Audio & Video — in-store — Southaven, Mississippi, United States (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Apollo HiFi — online and in-store — Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia (website)
- Art & Voice — online (website)
- Audio Advisor — online and in-store — Michigan, United States (website)
and 72 more verified dealers