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Musical Fidelity X-TUBE Tube Output Buffer
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Musical Fidelity
United Kingdom
Musical Fidelity X-TUBE Tube Output Buffer
FREE DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE
Every order ships free to any address in Australia via fully tracked, insured delivery. You’ll receive a tracking link once your order is dispatched so you can follow it the whole way. Estimated delivery is 1-4 business days.
2 Years Warranty
We handle your warranty so you don’t have to. If something isn’t right, simply get in touch and we will coordinate directly with the Australian importer on your behalf. Find out more. click here to lodge a warranty claim.
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Description
X-TUBE
Tube Output Buffer
- Adds tube-like tonal character, depth, and richness to every digital and line source
- 2 × E88CC triode tubes
Impedance Matching Amplifier
- Maximises signal transfer
- Reduces distortion caused by incorrect impedance matching
Additional Benefits
- Protects your amplifier from reactive loads
Superior Mechanical Design
- Built in a precision-engineered extruded aluminium chassis with excellent resistance to resonance
- The X-Tube was the first product in Musical Fidelity's X-Series range
Features
- Improves the performance of digital and analogue sources
- Particularly beneficial for budget digital, streaming, and CD sources that use all-in-one chip designs and lack proper output stages
- Provides optimal impedance matching between preamplifier and power amplifier when required
- Direct mains input with external power supply support for a clean installation setup
We are proud to unveil the X-Tube – a revolutionary tube output buffer built with our newly reimagined X-profile aluminium 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 eX10[tend]ed. 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 the 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 device capabilities of connected source devices. Regular line inputs on most amplifiers are usually more demanding and cheaper 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-analogue 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.
Tech Specs
| Power Output | 1.8 W per channel into 8 Ω (27 dBW) |
| Maximum Output Voltage | 19 V RMS, 20 Hz–20 kHz, onset of clipping (54 V peak-to-peak), balanced |
| THD+N | < 0.005% typical, 20 Hz–20 kHz |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio | > 120 dB (A-weighted) |
| Input Impedance | 50 kΩ |
| Frequency Response | +0, –0.1 dB, 10 Hz–20 kHz |
| Gain (LO Position, Volume Max) | 18 dB (8×) |
| Gain (HI Position, Volume Max) | 24 dB (15×) |
| Line-Level Inputs | 1 pair balanced XLR connectors, 1 pair RCA connectors |
| Headphone Outputs | 1 pair 3-pin XLR / ¼" stereo jack combined sockets |
| Mains Voltage | 90–250 VAC, 50–60 Hz universal worldwide supply |
| Power Consumption | < 0.25 W standby (orange LED lit), 15 W maximum (blue LED lit, full power output) |
| Dimensions (W × H × D) | 220 × 53 × 240 mm (8⅔" × 2" × 9½") |
| Weight (Unpacked / Packed) | 2.2 kg (5 lb) / 3.7 kg (8¼ lb) |
Customer Reviews
User Reviews
Warranty Information
2 Years Warranty
We care about your experience with HeyNow Hi-Fi, and we’re here to make the warranty process as smooth as possible.
Your warranty is handled directly by the Australian importer. By submitting this form, we’ll coordinate the process for you and keep you updated every step of the way. Important: Shipping fees are not included as part of your warranty coverage.
If your HeyNow Hi-Fi purchase isn’t working as it should, click here to lodge a warranty claim.
Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us https://www.heynowhifi.com.au//pages/contact
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