The CD player designed to partner B1xi
B1xcd plays Compact Disc through a tray mechanism, BlueTiger CD-88 servo and ESS9018Q2M DAC, with RCA, coaxial and optical outputs.
B1xcd brings Musical Fidelity back to the CD source within the B series: a player without built-in streaming, built around one precise task, namely reading the disc consistently and converting it to analogue with little noise. The front-loading Red Book mechanism works with the BlueTiger CD-88 servo system, which handles error correction and jitter; conversion is entrusted to an ESS9018Q2M and the power supply uses a toroidal transformer.
Key features
- Red Book CD-DA tray mechanism with BlueTiger CD-88 servo
- ESS9018Q2M D/A converter
- 2.1 V RMS RCA analogue output
- Coaxial and Toslink optical digital outputs
- LCD display with CD-Text and remote control
- Metal chassis and aluminium front panel
Complete player or transport for an external DAC
From the RCA output, B1xcd uses its own conversion and feeds a line input on the amplifier. From the coaxial or optical outputs it sends the digital signal to a separate converter instead, so the player stays useful even if the system later changes DAC. The choice needs no special settings and depends only on which output is connected.
The measurements that matter for a CD player
Musical Fidelity quotes a frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.2 dB, a signal-to-noise ratio above 112 dB, channel separation above 96 dB and total harmonic distortion below 0.003%. These figures fit a design that prioritises signal purity over accessory features.
The partner for B1xi
B1xcd is designed to sit alongside the B1xi integrated amplifier and complete its system: player and amplifier remain two separate components, each with its own power supply. It nevertheless works with any amplifier that has a line input, and suits anyone with a disc collection they want to play without going through apps or accounts.
Specifications
- CD system: BlueTiger CD-88
- DAC: ESS9018Q2M
- Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (−0.2 dB max)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: above 112 dB · channel separation: above 96 dB
- Total harmonic distortion: below 0.003% (20 Hz – 20 kHz)
- RCA analogue output: 2.1 V RMS, 10 kohm impedance
- S/PDIF digital outputs: 1 RCA coaxial, 1 Toslink optical · USB-C service port
- Power consumption: under 0.5 W in standby, 12 W maximum in operation
- Dimensions (W × H × D): 430 × 90 × 298 mm including connectors and feet · weight 5.8 kg
