MX STREAM – Streaming Music System

The MX-Stream is a high-end zero jitter audio-optimized streamer and network bridge.

Musical Fidelity has always been driven by the vision to create musically engaging audio products which can hold this standard of fidelity for many generations to come. Many MF classics are still in the hands of their proud owners and have proven the success of our design philosophy.

Streaming in Musical Fidelity Tradition

The MX-Stream is developed with the same goal in mind as everything else at Musical Fidelity. Technically correct design that not only measures like a dream but also sounds like it. In order for it to be true to the original Musical Fidelity spirit it has to have our warm yet transparent and incredibly detailed signature sound and not just be technical wizardry for the sake of clean technical measurements. We have to hear it, we have to feel it, and we have to be moved by it.

There are audio products of the past that did not necessarily measure so well, but people still grew to love them. This can also be done with close to perfect technical specifications and the same dedication to the actual perceivable sound qualities. And Musical Fidelity have done exactly this always.

As a result, these pieces of audio gear are elevated to the highest levels and become the true entries into affordable, no nonsense high-end. The MX-Stream is yet another prime example in our long-lasting design philosophy.

• High resolution network bridge
• Network-enables and compatible with any modern DAC with USB input
• Completely optimised for bit-perfect audio:

– Audiophile playback software
– Low Noise regulation and detox section
– USB & Wifi low phase noise clock section
– Clock synchronised, phase interleaved, capacitor multiplier pre regulators

• CD ripping (requires external USB CD drive)
• Controllable via smart devices and PC/Laptop

Overview and Hardware Design

Our MX-Stream is a universal, transport-only network device that can take any online or network streaming service to your integrated amplifier or DAC. All you need is an existing USB Class 2.0 Audio input. The MX-Streams digital audio circuitry is a complete custom design from scratch. A huge part inside the chassis is dedicated to the extensive power supply section. We have PSUs and high-end voltage stabilization components for all the different PCB units. We have advanced re-clocking even the main CPU is operated by an audio optimized clock, which is completely unheard in typical streaming solutions, as they typically run with standard CPU clocks like those in regular computers. Every incoming digital signal is cleaned up from the very beginning. All audio files that come in and out, are the best they can be by eliminating all unwanted noise that can be found in common streaming solutions. With an optimized software, we were able to push this high-tech hardware design to its absolute limits. All of this resulted in the first near-zero jitter streamer we have ever seen.

Bit-perfect and Open Software Design

Its design makes it future proof by keeping the architecture open. In 10 years time, your MX- Stream will be as relevant as today because it can run any open source software that you are willing and able to throw at it. It will use the same revelatory hardware design and continue to be the perfect streaming transport. Of course, for now you can just unpack the unit and set it up and it will be perfectly plug&play ready and you can immediately stream ahead. The on-board operating system and playback software – by default – is set up to enable you 1:1 bit-perfect digital audio transfers to your USB DAC of choice right from the start. You do not need to worry about anything, we have done all the engineering and configuration for you. You are free to enjoy the Musical Fidelity signature sound without in-depth knowledge of digital audio technology. However, all the expert-users will find advanced options available to tailor the experience to their exact specifications and gain complete and transparent control of what their system is doing. Truly accessible high-end at your fingertips.

Flexibility and Control Options

The MX-Stream can be controlled via mobile App, in any web-browser and you can connect HDMI- and touchscreens for a full, haptic touch screen experience. A full Roon-Ready certification, support for all lossless high-resolution streaming services that are available right now and hi-res formats (up to 32bit/384kHz and DSD256) and standard network features like NAS support, USB-hard drive support, UPNP/DLNA, Bluetooth, Shareport (for iOS-devices), web-radio, CD-ripping with automated tagging and automatic music library indexing bring unparalleled versatility to the table.

Streaming Services

• High-resolutio network bridge
• Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO, TuneIn
• Fully Roon Ready and certified
• Shareport(Airplay), UPNP/DLNA, Bluetooth
• USB 2.0 USB drives, NAS drives

The Perfect Streaming Companion

As a standalone device, the MX-Stream is the perfect add-on for any integrated amplifier or DAC with USB B input. Not only is the technology inside the MX-Stream complete cutting-edge high-end, every analog circuit in integrated analog amps displays increased performance, when digital circuits and power supplies are kept separate from the analog circuitry. By squeezing in a lot of digital circuits, additional high frequency distortion across the entire system can be observed. Coming from the other direction, huge power supplies for pre and power amps with lots of magnetic radiation impact digital circuit performance negatively. By keeping streaming and amplification separate we can achieve our true high-end sound vision to greater effect and at a more affordable cost, while also guaranteeing the longest lifetime of our amplifiers and streamers.

REVIEW & AWARDS

Musical Fidelity MX Stream Streaming Transport Reviewed –Read More

“The MX Stream is a compact network streamer running refined software and with enough features to suit most needs. Yes, there are network bridges that do the same thing for less money exlucidn gate DIY route, which is always cheaper. To an extent you are paying for fit, finish and a brand, but thats true of most products in audio these days. It could use a few software tweaks and feature additions, and Id like to see some additions to the hardware too. Those front switches need to be replaced with real buttons, Id like to see some more physical controls on the front panel, and the included power supply simply isnt good enough at this level. Nevertheless I cant fault it as a network bridge, as it delivers bit-perfect audio to your DAC of choice and does so without character, noise or fuss. For that it earns my recommendation.“

Musical Fidelity MX-Stream im Test: Streaming pur, rein digital –Read More

“The MX Stream is not the player we would give to our streaming-sceptical and inexperienced friend as an introduction. There are streamers that communicate more clearly with their users and that have more polished, more mature everyday manners – and are also cheaper. If you want to push a very good USB DAC a little further, the Musical Fidelity should be at the top of your listening list.” –Bernhard Rietschel

Silber-File – Read More

“The MX-Stream from Musical Fidelity is conceptually a streamer/transporter with a decidedly unique touch. With its exclusive focus on the USB port in terms of connectivity, it deliberately leaves out some options (keyword S/P-DIF), but on the other hand offers very smart solutions such as the clean optimization of a computer connection or CD playback/ripping via an external drive. It also proves to be flexible in terms of the integration of various player options up to alternative operating systems. This is future-proofing in practice. Its main focus is on creating an environment for digital files that is as interference-free as possible, which is served to the subsequent DAC in a “bit-perfect” and “noise-free” manner. The MX-Stream proves to be a worthy part of this upscale “budget” series from Musical Fidelity and consequently offers more audiophile quality than can be expected at this price point.” –Andr Schwerdt

Trends Electronics 10/23

“This small network player adds a silky and luxurious quality to the listening experience and is worthy of a network player with a much higher price tag.” – Jean-Denis Doyle

Hi-Fi Voice 10/22

“For the money, the proximity of the musical image and its readability are excellent, and with the cheaper setup, it was easy to feel that it was a step forward in terms of concreteness and purity of subtle nuances” – Daniel Bezina

HVT 05/23

“The MX stream does not have a sound and that is a very positive feature”

stereoikolorowo 12/22

“It has a high playing energy and a lot of tonal commitment, good differentiation of sound, beautiful smoothness and juicyness. The sound was always calm. Its 100% natural. Built for ultra-purity and super-transparent digital signals.”

infoaudio.pl 02/23

“My level of satisfaction with the quality of the sound provided has reached the apogee. Musical Fidelity designs its devices to last for years.” – Waldemar Nowak

SPECIFICATIONS