Question Mission 778X + B&W606S3?

[Sanglier]

Assembled my first setup 50 years ago - Connoisseur BD1 + SME3009/II, Rogers Ravensbourne, Monitor Audio floorstanders. Modified that subsequently, then lapsed. Now I intend a minimal but decent quality setup, using my A&K SR35 as principal source. I've looked around and I like the look/spec of the Mission, which would fit nicely into my wall cupboard; the B&W speakers on floorstands have v favourable reviews here. Opinions on suitability would be gratefully received.
rgds S

 

[matthewpianist]

The Mission is a splendid amplifier, and having had many amps of many different brands and prices, this one feels like it's going to be a long-term fixture. It's a much more competent all-rounder than the Arcam A5 I had before it. I've tried it with a few different speakers. It works very well with Dali, but Wharfedale is a natural fit (being made by the same parent company), and the Diamond 12.3 are pretty much an ideal partner. If you are only interested in stand mount, the 12.1 or 12.2 are likely to work well too.

Mission's own speakers are worth exploring, but current models are generally darker toned and can get a little bit too warm at times. I'm not a big B&W fan because of the V-curve response, and when I heard the KEF Q3 Meta I was very disappointed, as I was with the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB6.3. Q Acoustics are always worth a look, and very competent, but I've always found them a bit superficial after listening for a while.

 

[Sanglier]

The Mission is a splendid amplifier, and having had many amps of many different brands and prices, this one feels like it's going to be a long-term fixture. It's a much more competent all-rounder than the Arcam A5 I had before it. I've tried it with a few different speakers. It works very well with Dali, but Wharfedale is a natural fit (being made by the same parent company), and the Diamond 12.3 are pretty much an ideal partner. If you are only interested in stand mount, the 12.1 or 12.2 are likely to work well too.

Mission's own speakers are worth exploring, but current models are generally darker toned and can get a little bit too warm at times. I'm not a big B&W fan because of the V-curve response, and when I heard the KEF Q3 Meta I was very disappointed, as I was with the ELAC Debut 3.0 DB6.3. Q Acoustics are always worth a look, and very competent, but I've always found them a bit superficial after listening for a while.

Thanks for your helpful advice, much appreciated. The What Hi-Fi review of the 778X seemed to me a little grudging, but your favourable opinion confirms that I'll be seeking to audition this when back in UK soon - and its form factor should fit well in the space I have. I'll consider Wharfedale too - the B&Ws seemed a good bet, fulsome reviews and the right size, no idea what "V-curve response" is but I'll look it up!
rgds S

 

[matthewpianist]

Listening yourself is the best bet. I can't see any reason for a grudging review of the 778X.

A V-curve response is one where the bass and treble are accentuated and the midrange has a dip. I've found this to be a pretty consistent trait of B&W speakers, certainly at the affordable end, and it doesn't make sense to me, as the midrange is actually where most of the music sits. V-curve can sound impressive in a demo, but doesn't make for such long term enjoyment for me.

 

[nopiano]

Thanks for your helpful advice, much appreciated. The What Hi-Fi review of the 778X seemed to me a little grudging, but your favourable opinion confirms that I'll be seeking to audition this when back in UK soon - and its form factor should fit well in the space I have. I'll consider Wharfedale too - the B&Ws seemed a good bet, fulsome reviews and the right size, no idea what "V-curve response" is but I'll look it up!
rgds S

V curve is shorthand for the way the frequency response looks on the typical graphic representation for a loudspeaker. What it means when listening is that the bass and treble are both a bit exaggerated. Conversely the midrange, where upper voice and many instruments appear are a bit recessed. Many folks find that impressive at first, but in the long run it can sound tiring. It tends to sound better at background levels too.

WHF favourably compared the Misson in their recent review of the (British) Fell amplifier, but theirs is the first critical review I’ve seen. It shows that no product pleases everyone!

 

[RoA]

In your other thread you are specifically looking for UK made speakers. Why not the amplifier?

I have nothing against chinese made stuff but I am slightly confused about your choices.

Rega makes nice little amplifiers that are UK made by the way.

 

[Sanglier]

In your other thread you are specifically looking for UK made speakers. Why not the amplifier?

I have nothing against chinese made stuff but I am slightly confused about your choices.

Rega makes nice little amplifiers that are UK made by the way.

Absolutely I'd prefer an amp made in UK, but since it's only recently that I revived my interest in a domestic hi-fi setup I'm really not familiar with who makes what and where. I'll look into Rega - back in the day, their turntable was highly regarded. Re China, I just don't think it's terribly wise for us to be so reliant on stuff made in the PRC - but I've been told politics are verboten, so...

 

[matthewpianist]

The Rega io is great fun, if less polished than the Mission and certainly less flexible. The Brio is more equivalent in sound, and with more gusto to it, but still not quite as flexible, and more expensive. It all depends what you want overall, but certainly Rega amps are worth looking at, especially if British build is important to you.

The Fell Audio kit is British made, but I tried some and sent it back. The WHF review is correct in suggesting that the touch controls aren't reliably responsive, and my examples of both amp and CD player arrived with other faults. This was when they were first released, so these could have been early production issues. I'd rather opt for Rega though, or one of the IAG brands (Mission, Audiolab, QUAD, LEAK). The IAG kit is all designed and engineered in the UK, but built in PRC. Build quality is high, and their packaging is a step above most other manufacturers - I've never had anything arrive damaged.

 

[RoA]

Absolutely I'd prefer an amp made in UK, but since it's only recently that I revived my interest in a domestic hi-fi setup I'm really not familiar with who makes what and where. I'll look into Rega - back in the day, their turntable was highly regarded. Re China, I just don't think it's terribly wise for us to be so reliant on stuff made in the PRC - but I've been told politics are verboten, so...

It's all about personal preferences. If you prefer British then there is a (very) limited choice but it is there.

 

[Sanglier]

The Rega io is great fun, if less polished than the Mission and certainly less flexible. The Brio is more equivalent in sound, and with more gusto to it, but still not quite as flexible, and more expensive. It all depends what you want overall, but certainly Rega amps are worth looking at

Thanks - I just looked up the Brio. It has the same handy half-width as the Mission, but I don't like all that plastic, and it lacks Bluetooth - a feature I require for streaming Internet radio, absolutely not hi-fi! The higher price compared with Mission I'd accept, but the spec doesn't meet my requirements. Interesting about Fell, a name I didn't know.

 

[Gray]

I like the idea (and price) of the Mission amp myself.

If price is no object (at least not as important to you as buying British) then a Cyrus amp might do you.
Pair it with some PMC speakers and you'll be skint but happy.

 

[Al ears]

I like the idea (and price) of the Mission amp myself.

If price is no object (at least not as important to you as buying British) then a Cyrus amp might do you.
Pair it with some PMC speakers and you'll be skint but happy.

Do Cyrus amps have Bluetooth?
The cheapest Cyrus integrated is about a grand more than the Mission 778X in question.....
However I do note your price no object comment. He could always add a cheap Bluetooth receiver I guess.

 

[Gray]

He could always add a cheap Bluetooth receiver I guess.

Yes, I forgot to point out that that's precisely what I've added to my non-BT Cyrus amp 👍