Musical Fidelity B1 xi Integrated Amplifier - Black

The Budget Classic, Rebuilt for a TV Era

Musical Fidelity built its reputation on the original B1, a plain budget integrated from the late 1980s that outplayed its price. The B1xi revives the name with a fully discrete Class A/B power stage and an extruded aluminum front panel.

Power is 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 100 watts into 4 ohms, with peaks to 140 watts into 2 ohms. A toroidal transformer feeds it, and the preamplifier and digital stages each get their own linear supply on isolated boards.

More Sockets Than the Original Ever Imagined

Analog inputs are three RCA line pairs, a 3.5mm auxiliary jack, and a moving-magnet phono stage. Digital covers optical, coaxial, and HDMI ARC for a television, with Bluetooth 5.1 for a phone. A 6.3mm headphone jack sits on the front panel.

Outputs are a variable RCA preamp out for a subwoofer or a second amplifier, one pair of 4mm binding posts, and a 5V USB-C socket on the back that will power a small streamer without another wall wart. The chassis weighs 7.2kg and stands 90mm tall.

What the Digital Section Does

Conversion runs through an ESS9018. The optical, coaxial, and HDMI ARC inputs all accept stereo PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz. There is no DSD support, so a DSD library will need converting or a separate DAC.

Musical Fidelity rates line-input distortion below 0.02% across 20Hz to 20kHz, and signal-to-noise above 100dB A-weighted. Line response runs 10Hz to 30kHz at +0 and −3dB. The phono stage measures better than 70dB A-weighted, with RIAA accuracy held inside ±1dB.

The Phono Stage Takes More Than You Would Think

The phono input is specified as moving magnet, with 42dB of gain and 5mV sensitivity. Musical Fidelity notes it will accept any cartridge putting out 1.5mV or more, which brings high-output moving-coil types into range. Low-output moving coils still need a step-up.

HDMI ARC is the connection that separates this from most amplifiers near the price. One cable carries your television's sound into the B1xi, and the set's own remote handles volume.

What Reviewers Are Saying

David Price scored the B1xi 8.5 out of 10 at StereoNET in December 2025 and gave it an Applause Award, judging that it "offers the best combination of functionality, speaker-driving ability, and sound quality at the price".

Harry McKerrell of What Hi-Fi? called it "a punchy, muscular amplifier" in November 2025, scoring four stars for sound and five for features. His pros list leads with "Direct, punchy presentation with ample bass" and "Broad, cinematic soundstage".

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• Your television is part of the stereo — HDMI ARC is rare at this price, and it turns the B1xi into your TV's sound system over one cable.
• You want one box to cover everything — turntable, TV, CD player, phone over Bluetooth, and headphones, without a separate DAC or phono preamp.
• You run bookshelf speakers or smaller floorstanders — 60 watts into 8 ohms suits them well, and reviewers drove standmounts well above the amplifier's own price with it.
• You play moving-magnet vinyl — the built-in stage is quiet enough that most owners will not feel pushed toward an outboard phono preamp.
• If you need moving-coil phono or more power, step up — the Musical Fidelity M5xi adds a switchable MM/MC stage, HDMI eARC, and 160 watts per channel.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

A turntable goes to the phono input with its ground lead on the post beside it. A CD player, tuner, or anything else line-level takes one of the three RCA pairs, and a phone or portable player can use the 3.5mm aux jack on the front.

A television connects over HDMI ARC, and a CD transport or games console over optical or coaxial. Speakers go to the single pair of binding posts, headphones to the 6.3mm jack, and a powered subwoofer to the variable preamp output.

Pairs Well With

Building around the B1xi? Here are some good companions:

• Speakers: This amplifier is happiest with standmounts or a smaller floorstander — see our Bookshelf Speakers and Floorstanding Speakers.
• Turntable: The moving-magnet phono stage is already fitted — see our Turntables.
• Headphones: There is a 6.3mm jack on the front panel — see our Headphones.
• Cables: You will need something to reach the speakers and sources — see our Speaker Cables and Interconnects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the B1xi have a built-in phono stage?

Yes, a moving-magnet stage with 42dB of gain and 5mV sensitivity. It accepts cartridges rated 1.5mV and up, so high-output moving coils will work. Low-output moving-coil cartridges need an outboard stage.

Can I connect my television?

Yes, through the HDMI ARC input. This is ARC rather than eARC, which is fine for the stereo audio this amplifier handles. Optical is the fallback if your set has no ARC port.

Does it play DSD files?

The built-in DAC handles stereo PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz over the optical, coaxial, and HDMI inputs.

Is there a headphone output?

Yes, a 6.3mm jack on the front panel. It is a convenience rather than a highlight; What Hi-Fi? listed it among the amplifier's weaker points, so serious headphone listeners may want a dedicated amp.

What is the USB-C socket for?

Power only, not audio. It supplies 5V to run a small streamer or similar device from the amplifier, so you do not need another plug at the wall. Music still arrives over one of the regular inputs.

Can it drive large or power-hungry speakers?

Within reason. 60 watts into 8 ohms and 100 into 4 covers most standmounts and modest floorstanders. For big, difficult loads, the M5xi or M6xi are the sensible step up.

See It in Action

A British Audiophile reviews the B1xi's sound, features, and value:

Steve Guttenberg shares his hands-on impressions:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about integrated amplifiers, phono stages, or connecting a television to a stereo system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.