Mission has officially launched the Mission 778S, its first dedicated wireless music streamer, completing the modern revival of the iconic 778 series. Announced in mid-January 2026 and now shipping, the compact half-width component is engineered as the ideal digital companion to the highly regarded Mission 778X integrated amplifier — while remaining fully compatible with any high-end system.
Reviving a nameplate that helped define accessible British hi-fi in the 1980s and 90s, Mission returned to electronics with the 778X integrated amp in late 2022. That model earned widespread praise for its balanced, musical sound, versatile feature set, and retro-modern half-width chassis at a compelling price. The 778S extends that philosophy into the streaming era, delivering high-resolution wireless playback with audiophile-grade conversion and connectivity in the same elegant, space-saving form factor.
Silent Angel collaboration
At the core of the 778S lies a collaboration with Silent Angel, incorporating a custom-optimized version of their proven streaming engine for stability, low-latency performance, and sonic purity. Music access is handled via the dedicated Mission 778S app (iOS and Android), offering seamless support for Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, TuneIn Internet Radio, AirPlay 2, DLNA/UPnP (for network storage), and direct playback from USB HDDs or flash drives. Full Roon Ready certification ensures bit-perfect integration for users in the Roon ecosystem.
ESS Sabre E9038Q2M reference DAC chip
Digital-to-analog conversion is entrusted to the respected ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M reference DAC chip, featuring 32-bit HyperStream architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology. Unusually at this level, incoming PCM streams benefit from precision upsampling to 352.8 kHz or 384 kHz, promising cleaner transients and a more natural soundstage. Listeners can further tailor the presentation with five selectable DAC reconstruction filters.
Comprehensive connectivity
Connectivity is comprehensive: dual-band Wi-Fi and Gigabit Ethernet for network stability, USB Type-C for PC audio input, multiple USB-A ports for storage and digital output, optical and coaxial digital outs, plus both RCA and balanced XLR analog outputs. An onboard headphone amplifier (with 6.35 mm jack, current-feedback topology, and low output impedance) adds standalone head-fi versatility, capable of driving demanding cans with authority and low distortion.
The retro-inspired design mirrors the 778X — compact dimensions of 236 × 98 × 357 mm, sturdy build weighing 5.3 kg net, available in black or silver finishes, and featuring a crisp 2.23-inch high-contrast OLED display for at-a-glance status. A remote control is included.
Priced at £799 (UK), $1,699 (US), and €949 (approx.), the 778S positions itself against strong competition including the Cambridge Audio CXN100 and Bluesound Node Icon. Early coverage highlights its engineering focus on sonic integrity and refinement over sheer feature volume, making it especially appealing to owners of the 778X or those seeking a compact, high-performance streamer without unnecessary complexity.
