Mission - 778S - Wireless Music Streamer Review unlocks a new era of high-resolution streaming, marrying retro chic with cutting-edge digital audio. As the streaming soul of Mission’s acclaimed 778 Series, this half-width marvel boasts an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC, Roon readiness and full access to Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, AirPlay 2 and more. If you’re chasing rock-solid stability, sonic purity and future-proof versatility, read on – or get in touch with our team to explore how the 778S can elevate your hi-fi system.
Design & Build: Retro-Modern Harmony
The 778S arrives in the same half-width aluminium chassis that made the 778X a modern classic, available in sleek Black or Silver. At just 236 × 98 × 380mm, it slots neatly with the 778X integrated amplifier or the 778CDT transport, delivering a cohesive stack aesthetic. A crisp 2.23" OLED display presents track info and sample rates with clarity, while tactile controls and the included remote ensure intuitive operation.
Under the hood, Mission’s first wireless streamer leverages a customised Silent Angel engine, powered by a hexa-core RK3399 processor (dual Cortex-A72 @ 2.0 GHz + quad Cortex-A53 @ 1.5 GHz). Whether streaming via Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) or Gigabit Ethernet, you’ll experience rock-solid connectivity and bit-perfect Roon Ready playback.
Supported services: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, TuneIn Radio, AirPlay 2, DLNA and USB storage. The dedicated Mission 778S App (iOS/Android) gives you seamless control and firmware updates in a slick, responsive interface.
At the heart of the 778S lies the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M 32-bit HyperStream DAC with Time Domain Jitter Eliminator. Incoming PCM is upsampled to 352.8 or 384 kHz, pushing digital artefacts out of the audible band. Five reconstruction filters let you tailor tonal balance, while THD sits below 0.001% and SNR exceeds 120 dB over XLR. The result?
• Immaculate transients with stellar micro-detail
• A wide, natural soundstage with precise imaging
• Dynamic contrasts that never feel compressed
For DSD lovers, the 778S handles DSD64/128 natively, DSD256 via DoP and DSD512 over USB-C – all driving your system’s full potential.
Connectivity & Head-Fi Capabilities
Beyond balanced XLR (4.1 Vrms) and unbalanced RCA (2.05 Vrms) outputs with variable gain, the 778S features coaxial and optical digital outputs (up to 192 kHz/24-bit) to drive external DACs or amps. Two USB-A ports offer USB Audio output, while a USB-C PC input handles up to DSD512 and 768 kHz/32-bit PCM.
On the front, an onboard headphone amplifier (20–600 Ω load, THD < 0.01%, output impedance 2.35 Ω) rivals standalone amps – perfect for late-night listening or critical evaluation of your favourite cans.
Who Should Consider the 778S?
• Audiophiles seeking a future-proof digital hub
• Roon enthusiasts demanding effortless bit-perfect playback
• Vinyl lovers who need a dedicated streaming partner to complement their analogue front end
• Head-fi fans wanting a dual-role streamer + headphone amp
• Any system where a compact, stackable streaming solution is required
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M DAC with jitter eliminator and upsampling
- Roon Ready & native Spotify/TIDAL/Qobuz/AirPlay 2
- Balanced XLR outputs, coaxial/optical digital out
- On-board headphone amp for 20–600 Ω cans
- Silent Angel streaming platform: stability & versatility
- Slim, stackable half-width design in Black or Silver
Cons
- Premium price point for entry-level streamers
- No built-in hard drive – relies on USB or network storage
Elevate Your Streaming Experience
The Mission 778S is more than just a streamer – it’s the beating heart of any modern hi-fi system, engineered for purity, presence and power. Want to hear how it can transform your setup? Visit the product page on our website or speak with our expert team at The Audio Tailor. Give us a call on 1300 308 711 or email sales@theaudiotailor.com.au – let’s tailor a listening experience that’s uniquely yours.
