Musical treasures are often waiting to be discovered while browsing a record store or your own CD collection. Musical Fidelity offers a new companion for this: The B1xcd complements the B1xi integrated amplifier with a matching CD player for 599 euros. A drive designed specifically for audio CDs, an ESS converter, and a solid metal chassis form the foundation.
With this, Musical Fidelity continues the revival of its B Series. As early as the 1980s, this series was intended to make the brand’s technology accessible to a wider audience. Following the introduction of the B1xi in 2025, the matching CD player will now be released in October 2026.
Red Book drive with BlueTiger control
The B1xcd features a tray-loading mechanism and a drive designed for the Red Book CD-DA standard. This refers to the classic audio CD with 16-bit resolution and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz. A sturdy metal cover and a low-vibration mounting system are designed to protect the drive mechanism from interference.
Control is handled by the BlueTiger CD-88 servo system developed by SUOS. It is an evolution of the CD-80 circuit board and is designed to support precise disc reading. Musical Fidelity points to error correction and prediction algorithms that are designed to ensure reliable playback even under difficult reading conditions.
ESS Converter and Three Signal Paths
An ESS9018Q2M handles the digital-to-analog conversion. The B1xcd can be connected directly to an amplifier via a pair of analog RCA outputs. Musical Fidelity specifies the nominal output level as 2.1 volts RMS.
It also features a coaxial RCA output and an optical TosLink output. This allows the B1xcd to serve as a CD drive for an external D/A converter or an amplifier with a compatible digital input. The USB-C port, which is also included, is intended as a service port.
For the power supply, Musical Fidelity uses a toroidal transformer. For the CD player, the manufacturer specifies an A-weighted signal-to-noise ratio of more than 112 decibels and a total harmonic distortion of less than 0.003 percent in the range from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
Metal case, aluminum front panel, and CD-Text
The enclosure is made entirely of metal, and the front panel is made of extruded aluminum. The control buttons are also made of metal. With dimensions of 43 centimeters wide, 9 centimeters high, and 29.8 centimeters deep—including the connection jacks—this results in a classic hi-fi component weighing 5.8 kilograms.
The large LCD display shows playback time and track information. If the inserted disc contains CD-Text, the artist and track names are also displayed. A remote control is included so you can operate the unit from your listening position.
Price and Availability
According to the distributor, the Musical Fidelity B1xcd will be available from October 2026 at the brand’s authorized dealers. The suggested retail price is 599 euros, including VAT.
More info: Musical Fidelity
