Musical Fidelity’s New B1 Models – First Look

All Image Credit: Musical Fidelity

Musical Fidelity has recently revealed two new items of audio gear, the B1xi Class AB integrated amplifier and the B1xCD CD player, both are said to become available during the Summer of 2025.

The B1xCD makes use of a Red Book CD-DA drive, underneath its tray-loader mechanism. It includes front panel play/pause, eject and playback controls together with a large display and an supplied remote. Wired outputs include both analog and digital that are supported by a low jitter design. More to come upon its release.

Available this month, is the B1xi Class AB integrated amplifier. It is designed in the Musical Fidelity style, drawing inspiration from the original B1 released in the 1990’s. The B1xi provides 50wpc (8Ω) and 100wpc (4Ω) from a fully discrete transistor-based output stage that is powered by an over-specified toroidal transformer that helps create enough power reserve to support a wide range of speakers with ease, supplying 140wpc into a 2 ohm load. The Musical Fidelity B1xi integrated amplifier does not include Wi-Fi, integrated streaming or a display ensuring minimal interference, and uses those monies instead to enhance and improve the core product. However, it does include a Bluetooth 5.1 input. Internally the B1xi integrated amplifier is arranged with isolated analog and digital circuitry on dedicated PCBs, each with its own linear power supply, again designed to reduce electrical interference and noise. The audio DAC design uses the reference 32 bit ESS SABRE ES9018 chip, that allows the digital coaxial and optical inputs to accept high-resolution sample rates up to 24bit and 192KHz, while the HDMI ARC input provides connectivity to your home theatre system.

Control is via the front panel buttons, large motorized analog rotary volume control, and the supplied remote. A front panel headphone output is also provided.

It’s also versatile due to its range of inputs, supporting wired; 1x MM phono with RIAA EQ, 3 x stereo RCA inputs, 1 x HDMI ARC, 1 x coaxial and optical inputs, and a wireless Bluetooth 5.1 streaming input. There is also a stereo pre-amp output to support bi-amping or a subwoofer.

Specifications:

• Power:
  • both channels driven @ 1% THD: 60 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms; 100W into 4 ohms; 140W peaks into 2 ohms
  • both channels driven @ 0.09% THD, 20Hz to 20 kHz: 50 Watts per channel into 8 Ohms; 80W into 4 ohms
• Voltage: 21 Volts RMS, 20Hz to 20 kHz; onset of clipping 30 Volts peak to peak
• Current: 8 Amps peak to peak
• Damping factor: 30
• Output devices: 1 pair per channel
• Line input:
  • THD+N < 0.02 % typical, 20Hz to 20 kHz
  • Signal / noise ratio > 100dB ‘A’-weighted
  • Input impedance 47k Ohms
  • Frequency response +0, –3dB, 10Hz to 30 kHz
• Phono input:
  • Sensitivity (nominal): 5mV (suitable for cartridges giving 1.5mV or more including high output MC types)
  • Signal / noise ratio: >70dB ‘A’-weighted
  • Input impedance: 47k Ohms
  • Input capacitance: <100pF
  • Gain: 42dB
  • Frequency response: RIAA/IEC ±1dB, 20Hz to 20 kHz
• Connections:
  • Line level inputs 3 pairs line level RCA connectors
  • MM phono input
  • Optical, coaxial, ARC digital inputs (up to 24bit/192kHz stereo PCM)
  • Bluetooth 5.1 input
  • 1 pair line level RCA connectors, preamp outputs for e.g. bi-amping
  • Speaker outputs 1 pair 4mm banana plug/ binding posts
• Power requirement: Mains voltages 115/230VAC 50/60Hz (factory pre-set) and 100VAC 50/60Hz (alternative)
• Consumption: 280 Watts maximum
• Weight: Unit only, 7.2 kg
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 90  including feet x 324 including terminals, mm

MSRP :

• US: $879.00
• UK: £699.00
• EU: €799.00

For more information visit the Musical Fidelity web site.

Related posts:

• For all Musical Fidelity product posts click here.