Musical Fidelity X-Tube

We are proud to unveil the X-Tube – a revolutionary tube output buffer built with our newly reimagined X-profile aluminum die-cast chassis. This innovative design marks the return of the X-profile configuration, a distinctive element in the revered Musical Fidelity X10D tube output buffer and promises to breathe new life into a wide range of future audio electronics products.

From X10D to X-Tube

The X10D, as designed by Musical Fidelity founder Antony Michaelson, is an acronym - or if you want “a wordplay” - for eX-(10)ten-(D) ded. Extended. The internal circuitry design faithfully follows the original and just like it, the new X-Tube extends your signal chain and is connected between input source and amplifier. It serves as an intermediary stage and is designed to enhance audio signal quality and add tube-like tonal characteristics to your line sources. Connectivity is simple, featuring 1x RCA input and 1x RCA output as well as an RCA bypass. The old external power supply has been reworked and moved into the chassis itself, allowing for a cleaner setup than before.

Advantages of a Tube Output Buffer and its Impact on Sound

Tube preamplifiers or tube output buffers hold a special place in the hearts of many audiophiles offering a distinct sonic signature that is prized by many audio enthusiasts. The warmer, more natural sound, improved dynamics, and potentially reduced listening fatigue contribute to a unique and engaging listening experience.

The X-Tube in Today’s Audio World

What is the place of the X-Tube in today’s audio world? We currently observe a surge in a new generation of affordable streaming devices and DACs. Even CD-players receive increased interest as people are holding on to their old collections.

These modern digital audio devices achieve great price points, but do this at the sacrifice of hardware. Software makes up most of their cost and there is no budget assigned to, amongst other things, proper output stages. Instead, cheaper integrated IC solutions are used that don’t have the power to properly drive line inputs in many amplifiers.

The X-Tube has a clean, high impedance tube input, meaning it won’t put as much strain on the output drive capabilities of connected source devices. Regular line inputs on most amplifiers are usually more demanding and cheap output stages will struggle.

On the output side, the X-Tube’s clean, low impedance tube output buffer has plenty of drive and will not struggle with any low or high impedance amplifier input.

The X-Tube is designed to be the reliable core of your system, enhancing modern streamers and keeping pace as digital technology rapidly evolves.

While streamers excel at software and deliver great digital-to-analog conversion with the latest DAC technology, they often fall short when it comes to analogue output potential. And when their analogue drive is lacking, the X-Tube complements them perfectly.