MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer Instruction Manual

June 3, 2024
MUSICAL FIDELITY

MUSICAL FIDELITY - logo MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer
Instruction ManualMUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect
Streamer

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer

The MX-Stream has a wide variety of control options. This doesn‘t only make it incredibly versatile but also extremely future proof and able to withstand technical difficulties or the constant changes in the IT landscape (downtime of Apple or Android App stores, no Internet connection, etc…). In fact, the MXStream can be entirely controlled without any internet access and without any App downloads! So, if you just want to play some local music from a USB Stick or hard drive or stream via Bluetooth, we will explain everything in this guide! Before you start, you need to either connect your MX-Stream to your home network via WiFi or cabled ethernet.
You do this without the need of any app or any extra downloads! Please refer to the Quick Start manual. And still very important to stress is that cabled ethernet is still vastly superior to WiFi connections even in the year 2022! Realtime audio applications, such as the MX-Stream with high-resolution audio, benefit from stable cabled ethernet connections like you wouldn‘t believe. For regular HTTP web applications, like the internet, Web2.0 or 3.0, the quality of your connection rarely matters.
Your phone may show you full bars for your WiFi quality, but this does not say anything about packet loss and drop-outs caused by WiFi all the time. Don‘t worry, all of that is insignificant for websites or social media. You are not relying on data reaching its destination within the correct timeframe and without and degradation or loss. Modern web protocols will just request missing or faulty packets again or in some cases it even doesn‘t matter if all packets are transmitted. Websites, social media or video streaming will work even under all those circumstances! Quality is not their concern! The protocols for streaming realtime audio in an audiophile lossless way are completely different to the modern YouTubes, Facebooks and Instagrams of our time! With this in mind, enjoy music streaming on your MX-Stream on the highest level possible!

Webbrowser

Probably the most useful and flexible way to control your MX-Stream. Absolutely platform agnostic, you can access your MX-Stream from your favourite webbrowser on any  device which has a webbrowser. On Windows this is very easy. Once your MX-Stream is on the same network as your computer, it will automatically show up in your  Windows Explorer (make sure network detection is ON). ![MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer

Double click on the Musical Fidelity Icon in your network view, to open the MX-Stream web-interface. By right clicking and properties, you can see other useful information like the MX-Stream‘s IP address and MAC address.
The web-interface gives you the exact same options, features and controls like our Android/iOS Apps. In fact the Apps does just the same thing: open the MX- Stream‘s web-interface. This means all actions and playback commands are executed on the MX-Stream hardware, meaning it is totally independent on the Apps or different methods of interacting with it. This makes it very easy to mix and match webbrowser, App or other control options and your MX-Stream will keep playing uninterruptedly, even if your phone (and certainly as a further consequence you yourself) is struck by lightning! For webbrowsers on iOS devices and MAC computers just type „musical-fidelity.local“ into the address bar of the webbrowser. For webbrowsers on Windows computers or Android phones just type „musical-fidelity.local/“ into the address bar of the webbrowser.MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer -
Figure 2

Official Musical Fidelity MX-Stream Apps

Our official App, MX-Stream, is available for Android and iOS and can be downloaded from their respective stores.
Should you live in a country or region where you don‘t have access to these stores or there are technical difficulties with these stores, there are plenty of other options for  accessing your MX-Stream. Important: all the streaming services and platforms as they are implemented in our own app, are the preferred way to listen when it comes to quality, as we have direct access and control over our implementations. This means we can program the Tidal or Qobuz access on our own and make sure the quality is top of  the line as it should be. If you use services like TIDAL Connect, you obviously introduce yet another middle man (or middle software) and therefore we cannot guarantee best playback quality as this responsibility is in those cases handed off to the streaming platform providers themselves.
If you cannot find the MX-Stream App try our alternative “Volumio”. Volumio is a functional identical alternative!

3rd Party Apps

You can play music on your MX-Stream with a wealth of different playback apps. One of the more important features is to use the MX-Stream with the native Apps for  Music Streaming Platform providers (for example Spotify Connect).
The services provided in this way is obviously subject of change, as services and their implementations come and go.

In Tidal, choose your MX-Stream as Tidal Connect device with this speaker symbol (* TIDAL Connect will not be available at MXStream launch, but at a later date via free update)

Choose your Spotify Connect device here within the Spotify App.

UPNP Apps

UPNP Apps are a great way of adding functionalities and services to your MX- Stream. UPNP is a completely lossless way of transmitting audio data via your LAN network  (in fact Apple based their Airplay protocol on the free alternative UPNP). However, UPNP is in many aspects superior to Airplay as with UPNP you can freely transmit any sample rate and avoid resampling (note: Airplay resamples everything to 48kHz!).
To use UPNP: open your favorite UPNP capable App or software on your phone/tablet/PC/laptop, make sure your device is on the same network as the MX-Stream and select the MX-Stream as the output renderer:

MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
5

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer
If you cannot find the MX-Stream as a UPNP renderer, then check if UPNP Render is enabled or turn UPNP Renderer off and on again under Settings -> Sources -> Functionalities Control in the web-interface. MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream
Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure 6

Roon

Roon is one of the most advanced music playback software solutions out there. It handles big music libraries extremely well, organizes your music collections across different  streaming providers and your own local or network music storage. It is extremely transparent in showing you all details about your playback chain and is definitely something  to try out for any serious music listener.
For the MX-Stream, make sure that Roon is active in the Functionalities Control settings (if necessary try turning it off and on again) and that a DAC is connected. If there is  no DAC connected, the MX-Stream won‘t show up in Roon! MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
7

Check on the MX-Stream in the Functionalities Control that Roon is active.

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect StreamerMUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream
Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure 8

Offline Control: App and Webinterface

Controlling the MX-Stream without any network or internet access is actually doable! This is done by simply connecting your phone or laptop to the built in Hotspot of the  MX-Stream. The Hotspot is enabled by default after first unpacking, and can also be enabled any time after first setup from the network settings menu:MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer -
Figure 9

On your phone or laptop go to your WiFi settings menu and connect to the MX- Stream Hotspot:

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer

MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
10

After connecting the first setup assistance will open, you can simply press „Close“ on the first screen to leave the first setup and control the MX- Stream. You can then play  local music or files from a connected USB or HDD drive.
Alternatively, once you are connected to the MX-Stream Hotspot simply use our APPs or Webbrowser control options (see option 1 and 2 of this guide) to access your MX-Stream.
In some situations it can help to disable your phone‘s mobile internet. This is because the MX-Stream Hotspot does not provide Internet access to your phone. Some phones  then simply ignore this WiFi option and use your mobile internet instead to search for your MX-Stream, because the purpose of your phone in our modern times is to access  the internet. Disabling mobile internet will force your phone to look for the MX-Stream identifier or IP address on the local WiFi connection.

Offline Control: HDMI output, touchscreen, USB mouse + keyboard

The MX-Stream by default outputs its control interface (video only, no audio) via HDMI. You can simply connect any HDMI monitor, TV or screen to integrate it into your  living room or other places.
By using a HDMI monitor that is also capable of touch-input via USB, you are able to build yourself a seamless touch integration for your MX-Stream. In addition to the  HDMI connection, simply connect the touch capable monitor to any of the available USB inputs on the MX-Stream.
Another option is to connect a USB mouse and keyboard to the available USB inputs of the MX-Stream.
Should you ever encounter difficulties of setting up WiFi or lose access to your configured WiFi, this is a great method of troubleshooting the MX-Stream.

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer
Warranty
The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for damage caused by not adhering to these instructions for use. Modification or changes to any part of the product by  unauthorized persons release the manufacturer from any liability over and above the lawful rights of the customer.
Should a problem be encountered which cannot be identified or resolved, please contact point of purchase/dealer for further advice. Only if the problem cannot be resolved  there, the unit should be sent to the responsible distributor in your country. Warranty is valid in country of purchase and for original purchaser only and is not internationally nor personally transferable.

Copyright, trademarks
Musical Fidelity is a division of Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH.
This guide was produced by: Musical Fidelity Copyright© 2022. All rights reserved.
The information was correct at the time of going to press. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the technical specification without prior notice as deemed  necessary to uphold the ongoing process of technical development.®
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Mac® and Mac OS® are trademarks of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. BT® is a trademark owned by the BT SIG, Inc., Apple is registered trademark of Apple Inc., Android™ is a trademark of  Google Inc.
Contains FCC ID: VVXLM811-0451

MX-Stream Control Options Overview

MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect
Streamer

The MX-Stream has a wide variety of control options. This doesn‘t only make it incredibly versatile but also extremely future proof and able to withstand technical difficulties or the constant changes in the IT landscape (downtime of Apple or Android App stores, no Internet connection, etc…). In fact, the MXStream can be entirely controlled without any internet access and without any App downloads! So, if you just want to play some local music from a USB Stick or hard drive or stream via Bluetooth, we will explain everything in this guide! Before you start, you need to either connect your MX-Stream to your home network via WiFi or cabled ethernet. You do this without the need of any app or any extra downloads! Please refer to the Quick Start manual. And still very important to stress is that cabled ethernet is still vastly superior to WiFi connections even in the year 2022! Realtime audio applications, such as the MX-Stream with high-resolution audio, benefit from stable cabled ethernet connections like you wouldn‘t believe. For regular HTTP web applications, like the internet, Web2.0 or 3.0, the quality of your connection rarely matters. Your phone may show you full bars for your WiFi quality, but this does not say anything about packet loss and drop-outs caused by WiFi all the time. Don‘t worry, all of that is insignificant for websites or social media. You are not relying on data reaching its destination within the correct timeframe and without and degradation or loss. Modern web protocols will just request missing or faulty packets again or in some cases it even doesn‘t matter if all packets are transmitted. Websites, social media or video streaming will work even under all those circumstances! Quality is not their concern! The protocols for streaming realtime audio in an audiophile lossless way are completely different to the modern YouTubes, Facebooks and Instagrams of our time! With this in mind, enjoy music streaming on your MX- Stream on the highest level possible!

Webbrowser
Probably the most useful and flexible way to control your MX-Stream. Absolutely platform agnostic, you can access your MX-Stream from your favourite webbrowser on any  device which has a webbrowser. On Windows this is very easy. Once your MX-Stream is on the same network as your computer, it will automatically show up in your  Windows Explorer (make sure network detection is ON). ![MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer

Double click on the Musical Fidelity Icon in your network view, to open the MX-Stream web-interface. By right clicking and properties, you can see other useful information like the MX-Stream‘s IP address and MAC address.
The web-interface gives you the exact same options, features and controls like our Android/iOS Apps. In fact the Apps does just the same thing: open the MX- Stream‘s web-interface. This means all actions and playback commands are executed on the MX-Stream hardware, meaning it is totally independent on the Apps or different methods of interacting with it. This makes it very easy to mix and match webbrowser, App or other control options and your MX-Stream will keep playing uninterruptedly, even if your phone (and certainly as a further consequence you yourself) is struck by lightning! For webbrowsers on iOS devices and MAC computers just type „musical-fidelity.local“ into the address bar of the webbrowser. For webbrowsers on Windows computers or Android phones just type „musical-fidelity.local/“ into the address bar of the webbrowser.MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer -
Figure 2

Official Musical Fidelity MX-Stream Apps
Our official App, MX-Stream, is available for Android and iOS and can be downloaded from their respective stores.
Should you live in a country or region where you don‘t have access to these stores or there are technical difficulties with these stores, there are plenty of other options for  accessing your MX-Stream. Important: all the streaming services and platforms as they are implemented in our own app, are the preferred way to listen when it comes to quality, as we have direct access and control over our implementations. This means we can program the Tidal or Qobuz access on our own and make sure the quality is top of  the line as it should be. If you use services like TIDAL Connect, you obviously introduce yet another middle man (or middle software) and therefore we cannot guarantee best playback quality as this responsibility is in those cases handed off to the streaming platform providers themselves.
If you cannot find the MX-Stream App try our alternative “Volumio”. Volumio is a functional identical alternative!

3rd Party Apps
You can play music on your MX-Stream with a wealth of different playback apps. One of the more important features is to use the MX-Stream with the native Apps for  Music Streaming Platform providers (for example Spotify Connect).
The services provided in this way is obviously subject of change, as services and their implementations come and go.

In Tidal, choose your MX-Stream as Tidal Connect device with this speaker symbol (* TIDAL Connect will not be available at MXStream launch, but at a later date via free update)

Choose your Spotify Connect device here within the Spotify App.

UPNP Apps
UPNP Apps are a great way of adding functionalities and services to your MX-Stream. UPNP is a completely lossless way of transmitting audio data via your LAN network  (in fact Apple based their Airplay protocol on the free alternative UPNP). However, UPNP is in many aspects superior to Airplay as with UPNP you can freely transmit any sample rate and avoid resampling (note: Airplay resamples everything to 48kHz!).
To use UPNP: open your favorite UPNP capable App or software on your phone/tablet/PC/laptop, make sure your device is on the same network as the MX-Stream and select the MX-Stream as the output renderer:

MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
5

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer
If you cannot find the MX-Stream as a UPNP renderer, then check if UPNP Render is enabled or turn UPNP Renderer off and on again under Settings -> Sources -> Functionalities Control in the web-interface. MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream
Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure 6

Roon
Roon is one of the most advanced music playback software solutions out there. It handles big music libraries extremely well, organizes your music collections across different  streaming providers and your own local or network music storage. It is extremely transparent in showing you all details about your playback chain and is definitely something  to try out for any serious music listener.
For the MX-Stream, make sure that Roon is active in the Functionalities Control settings (if necessary try turning it off and on again) and that a DAC is connected. If there is  no DAC connected, the MX-Stream won‘t show up in Roon! MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
7

Check on the MX-Stream in the Functionalities Control that Roon is active.

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect StreamerMUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream
Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure 8

Offline Control: App and Webinterface
Controlling the MX-Stream without any network or internet access is actually doable! This is done by simply connecting your phone or laptop to the built in Hotspot of the  MX-Stream. The Hotspot is enabled by default after first unpacking, and can also be enabled any time after first setup from the network settings menu:MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect
Streamer - Figure 9

On your phone or laptop go to your WiFi settings menu and connect to the MX- Stream Hotspot:

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer

MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer - Figure
10

After connecting the first setup assistance will open, you can simply press „Close“ on the first screen to leave the first setup and control the MX- Stream. You can then play  local music or files from a connected USB or HDD drive.
Alternatively, once you are connected to the MX-Stream Hotspot simply use our APPs or Webbrowser control options (see option 1 and 2 of this guide) to access your MX-Stream.
In some situations it can help to disable your phone‘s mobile internet. This is because the MX-Stream Hotspot does not provide Internet access to your phone. Some phones  then simply ignore this WiFi option and use your mobile internet instead to search for your MX-Stream, because the purpose of your phone in our modern times is to access  the internet. Disabling mobile internet will force your phone to look for the MX-Stream identifier or IP address on the local WiFi connection.

Offline Control: HDMI output, touchscreen, USB mouse+keyboard

The MX-Stream by default outputs its control interface (video only, no audio) via HDMI. You can simply connect any HDMI monitor, TV or screen to integrate it into your  living room or other places.
By using a HDMI monitor that is also capable of touch-input via USB, you are able to build yourself a seamless touch integration for your MX-Stream. In addition to the  HDMI connection, simply connect the touch capable monitor to any of the available USB inputs on the MX-Stream.
Another option is to connect a USB mouse and keyboard to the available USB inputs of the MX-Stream.
Should you ever encounter difficulties of setting up WiFi or lose access to your configured WiFi, this is a great method of troubleshooting the MX-Stream.

MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer
Warranty
The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for damage caused by not adhering to these instructions for use. Modification or changes to any part of the product by  unauthorized persons release the manufacturer from any liability over and above the lawful rights of the customer.
Should a problem be encountered which cannot be identified or resolved, please contact point of purchase/dealer for further advice. Only if the problem cannot be resolved  there, the unit should be sent to the responsible distributor in your country. Warranty is valid in country of purchase and for original purchaser only and is not internationally nor personally transferable.

Copyright, trademarks
Musical Fidelity is a division of Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH.
This guide was produced by: Musical Fidelity Copyright© 2022. All rights reserved.
The information was correct at the time of going to press. The manufacturer reserves the right to make changes to the technical specification without prior notice as deemed  necessary to uphold the ongoing process of technical development.®
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft group of companies. Mac® and Mac OS® are trademarks of Apple
Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. BT® is a trademark owned by the BT SIG, Inc., Apple is registered trademark of Apple Inc., Android™ is a trademark of  Google Inc.
Contains FCC ID: VVXLM811-0451

Technical specifications

Internal Memory 16 GB
Audio Formats PCM 32bit/352.8kHz, DSD256
Internet Radio TuneIn
Streaming Services TIDAL, Spotify, Qobuz, HIGHRESAUDIO
Supported data protocols RAAT (Roon), Shairport, DLNA, UPNP
Inputs 2 x USB A (maximum combined current draw 1A), USB

B (PC-Detox), Network (Ethernet, WiFi),  BT
Supported WiFi standards| 802.11 b/g/n/d/e/h/i
BT| BT Classic + EDR v2.1, v3.0, v4.0 and Low Energy
Outputs| Audio optimized USB A, HDMI (video)
Outboard Power supply| 18V/1A DC (included)
Accessories| Wi-Fi antenna
Dimensions W x H x D (D with sockets)| 220 x 56 x 215 (223) mm
Weight (without power supply):| 1910g without power supply

a Division of Audio Tuning Vertriebs GmbH
Margaretenstrasse 98
A-1050 Vienna
AUSTRIA
+43 1 544 858 0400
http://www.musicalfidelity.com

DISPOSAL
The crossed out wheeled bin label that appearson the back panel of the product indicates that the productmust not be disposed of as normal household waste. Toprevent possible harm to the environment please separatethe product from other waste to ensure that it can berecycled in an environmentally safe manner. Please contactlocal  government office or retailer for available collectionfacilities.

Control Options Overview

Documents / Resources

| MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer [pdf] Instruction Manual
MX-Stream Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer, MX-Stream, Audiophile Bit-Perfect Streamer, Bit-Perfect Streamer, Streamer
---|---
| MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer [pdf] User Manual
MX-Stream, MX-Stream Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer, Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer, Bit Perfect Streamer, Perfect Streamer
| MUSICAL FIDELITY MX-Stream Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer [pdf] Instruction Manual
MX-Stream, MX-Stream Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer, Audiophile Bit Perfect Streamer, Bit Perfect Streamer, Perfect Streamer, Streamer

References

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