Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier

Musical Fidelity B1xi Integrated Amplifier

The B1xi channels Musical Fidelity's amplifier expertise into a versatile integrated amplifier, built on the design principles of the brand's flagship models. A fully discrete Class A/B power amp delivers 60W per channel into 8 ohms, 100W into 4 ohms, and 140W peaks into 2 ohms, driving power-hungry and difficult speakers with ease. It includes a comprehensive input selection: MM phono stage, coaxial and optical digital inputs, HDMI ARC, Bluetooth 5.1, and three RCA line inputs, along with a variable RCA pre-out for subwoofer connection or bi-amping and a 5V USB-C output for powering an external streamer. The B1xi is built with an all-metal chassis, solid metal controls, and a front panel milled from extruded aluminium. As an authorized Musical Fidelity dealer in Toronto, Canada, Vinyl Sound can help you match this amplifier to your speakers and sources.

Key Features

• Fully discrete Class A/B power amp: 60W/8Ω, 100W/4Ω, 140W peak/2Ω
• Dedicated linear power supply for the preamp section, separate from the power amp
• Motor-driven analogue volume potentiometer, preserving signal purity
• Low-noise, high-gain MM phono stage
• Physically separated digital and ARC boards, each with their own linear power supply
• ESS9018 DAC, accepting up to 24-bit/192kHz via coaxial and optical inputs
• Bluetooth 5.1 input
• HDMI ARC input for home theatre integration
• Variable RCA pre-out for bi-amping or active subwoofer connection
• 5V USB-C power output for an external streamer
• Generously rated toroidal transformer with independent power supplies for preamp, power amp, and digital sections
• No built-in WiFi, display, or app — Musical Fidelity states this keeps fast-moving streaming tech from affecting the amplifier's long-term reliability and sound quality focus

Class A/B Power Design

The B1xi's fully discrete Class A/B power amp is paired with its own dedicated power supply and a generously proportioned toroidal transformer, providing power reserves for peak delivery and a wide dynamic range. Musical Fidelity states this configuration lets the B1xi drive power-hungry and difficult speakers gracefully, with output devices rated to avoid faltering under low-impedance loads.

Digital Section

Digital and analogue circuitry are physically separated onto their own PCBs with independent linear power supplies, intended to minimize RF interference reaching the analogue amplifier stages. The B1xi uses an ESS9018 DAC design, drawing on Musical Fidelity's DAC development experience from products like the Nu-Vista DAC and M8x DAC, with coaxial and optical inputs accepting sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz, plus an HDMI ARC input for home theatre use.

No Built-In WiFi, By Design

Musical Fidelity states that the B1xi omits WiFi streaming, a display, and an app on purpose, prioritizing investment in robust mechanics, discrete circuits, large transformers, and Class A/B amplification instead. A high-quality isolated USB-C 5V power output is included for powering an external streamer separately, which the company also describes as a power supply upgrade for that streamer.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this have a built-in phono stage?
Yes, a low-noise, high-gain MM phono stage suitable for cartridges giving 1.5mV or more, including high-output moving coil types.

Can I stream music wirelessly?
Yes, via Bluetooth 5.1. There's no WiFi streaming, display, or app — Musical Fidelity designed the B1xi this way to focus resources on amplifier and power supply quality rather than fast-changing streaming technology. A 5V USB-C output is included to power an external streamer if you want network streaming.

Can I connect a subwoofer or bi-amp my speakers?
Yes, the variable RCA pre-out supports both active subwoofer connection and bi-amping configurations.