From TechRadar · · 1m 40s
Musical Fidelity's new CD player costs as much as a smartphone
The B1xcd is pitched as affordable for high-end audio, but its €599 price tag shows how expensive the CD revival has become.
In brief
The B1xcd is pitched as affordable for high-end audio, but its €599 price tag shows how expensive the CD revival has become. Musical Fidelity has launched the B1xcd, a home CD player priced at €599, positioned as affordable for high-end audio despite costing more than budget smartphones. Originally reported by…
Physical media is making a comeback
New turntables, cassette players and CD players are launching regularly. Some combine all three formats, and high-end SACD players are returning to the market.
Musical Fidelity unveils the B1xcd
The company has launched a standing CD player designed for home hi-fi setups, not portable use. It releases from October twenty twenty-six.
The price is steep but competitive
Musical Fidelity prices the B1xcd at six hundred ninety nine euros, about six hundred seventy dollars, five hundred pounds, or one thousand Australian dollars. That matches the Oppo A7 Pro Max smartphone.
Context shows the real cost of CD audio
A Rotel Michi player costs ten times the B1xcd's price. An SACD player reviewed last week costs a hundred times more. A cheaper FiiO option launched in September can also rip discs.
What the B1xcd offers
The device has a metal chassis, LCD screen and aluminum controls.It weighs five point eight kilograms.
Connectivity for home systems
The B1xcd has both analogue and digital outputs. It offers RCA, coax and optical connections to integrate with existing hi-fi equipment.
A stationary alternative to portable players
Most new CD players are portable models like the Shanling option. The Musical Fidelity B1xcd targets listeners who want a dedicated home device rather than something to carry around.
The bottom line
Musical Fidelity has launched the B1xcd, a home CD player priced at €599, positioned as affordable for high-end audio despite costing more than budget smartphones.
