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British company Mission has launched its first new integrated amplifier in 40 years – the 778X, a substantial upgrade of 1983’s 778. Inputs for digital sources comprise asynchronous USB Type B, one coaxial and two optical, while digital outputs are provided in optical and coaxial flavours. Analogue signals are catered for by three stereo RCA inputs – two line-level plus a moving-magnet phono input for turntables – while pre-out sockets permit the addition of an external power amplifier. Bluetooth reception facilitates wireless audio streaming from smartphones, tablets and the like, with support for multiple codecs including aptX and AAC.

The front of the amp sports a pair of rotary controls – one for source selection, the other for volume – surrounded by white LEDs to show current status. Between these are the IR sensor, power button and 6.3mm headphone output. Digital sources connected through the USB, coaxial and optical inputs, or paired via Bluetooth, are served by the 778X’s built-in DAC. This is based around the ES9018K2M chipset from the Sabre32 Reference family, enabling the amp to benefit from ESS Technology’s 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. Mission claims that hi-res PCM is supported to 32-bit/384kHz, alongside up to DSD256.

The 778X’s power amp stage is a Class AB design incorporating a low-noise 200VA toroidal transformer. This is followed by 2x 15,000uF reservoir capacity (30,000uF in total) while the amp’s output from its gold-plated speaker terminals is rated at 45W into 8ohm and 65W into 4 ohm. The preamp section’s line input signals pass to a precision, microprocessor-controlled analogue volume stage.

Mission says the 778X is an ideal amp to partner with a wide range of speakers and the company is currently promoting two package deals that combine the 778X with popular standmounts from its range. The first includes a pair of LX-2 MkII speakers at a package price of £650, saving £130 from the individual RRPs. The second upgrades the speakers to the Mission QX-2 MkII at a package price of £800, saving a total of £150. In both cases, the speakers are available in a choice of matt black, matt white or walnut. The Mission 778X is available in a choice of silver or black.

Available to buy now for £550, you can find out more about the Mission 778X here.