Mission 778X Integrated Amplifier & LX2 Mk2 Speakers

Key Features

• 65W per channel into 4Ohms
• Half-width chassis design
• MM phono stage for vinyl playback
• High-quality ESS Sabre 32-bit DAC
• Bluetooth aptX and AAC
• USB-B input for PC audio
• Analogue RCA and digital optical and coaxial inputs
• Headphone output

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 tactile controls, and many 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 has never sounded so good!

That’s not all in terms of digital music facilitation. The 778X is also equipped with a high-performance ESS ES9018K2M Reference chip with ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. In the world of digital music files, the 778X offers class-leading, ultra-low noise digital audio file compatibility, 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-around 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 the expression and enjoyment of your music reproduction.

Mission’s LX 2 MKII is a compact, bookshelf/stand mount speaker, which replaces the older MK1 model, and has been improved with technologies that are featured on Mission’s QX range and very successful multi award-winning ZX range. It’s slightly larger than the LX1 MkII but perfect if you want a bit of extra power whilst still keeping within budget.

Flipped IDG Drivers

Mission’s IDG driver design flips the tweeter and the woofer positions so they’re ‘upside down’. The idea of this is to keep the high frequencies at head height when listening on desktops. Mission have redesigned the tweeter with a neodymium magnet, selected for maximum magnetic force in a small space, and a 25mm microfibre dome, chosen because it’s light weight and consistent. It delivers clear highs and detailed.

LX MKII improvements

The LX2-MK II’s most prominent new upgrade is the advanced driver surrounds and crossover technology. This technology was used in the QX and high-end ZX ranges and was proven to be very successful. It used ‘comb-tooth’ serrations in the driver surrounds to help scatter interfering reflections from localised surfaces to the mid/bass cones.

In the LX 2 Mk2, similar serrations are used in the main driver surrounds, as well as indentations around the tweeter to add further finesse to the drive unit outputs. This provides a smoother frequency response that was not present in the LX2 MK2 and ultimately provides and an even better listening experience