Russound MBX-PRE
Jon from Simpsonville, SC on 5/19/2025
0 of 0 found this helpful
Goodbye Iphone as a (weak) Source
Rt from Chicago, IL on 10/25/2024
I normally dislike when people review something only two hours after they unboxed it, but I have to say this streamer has made my Russound system a million times better as compared to using other devices as a streaming source. Most notably, using my phone streaming through the Russound BTC bluetooth device. My installer hooked it up in like 5 minutes. It immediately worked. It had a number of popular streaming services (Spotify, Sirius XM, Pandora, etc.) preloaded on it - all I had to do was to log in. Most importantly, however, the output is so much more robust than streaming via my phone. Everyone forgets that the iphone outputs are made for headphones, not stereos. The MBX drives the output like a real stereo component. I previously thought I needed to add another amp to get the full depth of sound on my Russound system, but the MBX has made that unnecessary. I barely have the volume at 20% vs 60% with iphone bluetooth. My speakers are finally sounding like I expected. I will be getting another MBX for my old (2006) Russound system as well.
Pros: Pretty much plug and play. Output 4x as robust as streaming via iphone. Most streaming apps are preloaded.
Cons: The apps appear to not have the full menu of options and settings vs when you access them via an iphone or computer.
1 of 1 found this helpful
Great Replacement for my DOA Logitech Squeeze Box Duo
Dominick from Bristol, ME on 8/14/2024
My old Logitech Squeeze Box Duo died on me, which wasn't too sad as Logitech stopped supporting it. I needed a preamp that would find MP3 files stored on my NAS, convert to analog output and hook into my distributed music system. They recommended the MBX-PRE and I am pleased with that recommendation, as I already had a Russound CA-4 in my distributed music system. The installation and set up of the system was a bit problematic, but the superb Crutchfield Support staff provided great service, staying on the phone with me for over an hour to make sure I got everything right. They make buying from Crutchfield an excellent choice. My only beef and the reason for 4 Stars instead of 5 is that the Russound app is truly bare bones and cumbersome, but right now I'm locked into it. I dread the day that I have to instruct my tech challenged wife on how to use it...
Pros: Plugged right into the network and amp with no problems
Cons: Russound phone app not the best for being the primary method of running your distributed music system
0 of 1 found this helpful
Loving our MBX-Pre and MCA
Scott from Ballston Spa, NY on 5/30/2024
The Russound MBX-Pre has completely changed the way my family listens to music throughout our house. Paired with the MCA-66 and the Resound App, my family now has the ability to play the music they want in specific zones. The cool thing is having Pandora and Spotify built into the MBX system. This allows "the house" to always have music playing in the background at all times and doesn't rely on streaming from one specific device. The Russound technician (Rob) was also super helpful in the setup and getting the Alexa voice control synced with the MCA. Thanks for your help!
Pros:
Cons:
1 of 1 found this helpful
Great addition to the Russound MCA series
Ian from GREENBRAE, CA on 12/24/2023
I was previously using Chromecast products to stream to my MCA-88 but noticed that Tidal was limiting playlist lengths on my iPhone to about 30-40 songs. When I streamed to an Airplay device it allowed 90+ tracks in a playlist. This MBX-PRE integrates with my MCA-88 much better than the Chromecast. It provides an Airplay interface for my iPhone and a Chromecast interface for my wife's Android phone. The MCA-88 gets track information where it didn't before from the Chromecast. It also works with the zone keypads that we have installed. Definitely a worthwhile addition if you have an MCA series amp. As an added plus, it can be configured through a web interface and does not require a temperamental phone app to get set up.
Pros:
Cons:
1 of 1 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Tatyana from Potomac, MD on 9/18/2023
I am very happy with this device. We primarily use it for AirPlay. Any device on the home network can send any sound (music, podcasts, shows, news, etc.) to the speakers throughout the house. Easy to use and no wires involved, it is a win-win!
Pros:
Cons:
0 of 0 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Collins from Snellville, GA on 5/25/2023
It's so clear in streaming all the music that comes from it
Pros:
Cons:
2 of 2 found this helpful
Better options exist unless pairing with a Russound Controller
Rick from Mount Pleasant on 2/28/2023
The only reasons to choose this streamer over others like Bluesound or Sonos are: 1) If you are integrating with a Russound MCA controller, or 2) if you need Chromecast. The integration with MCA controllers is nice since it populates metadata into the Russound app and you can control your integrated music sources and zones from the Russound app. However, if you are not integrating with other Russound products, streamers like Bluesound and Sonos have much better music integration and control apps. The main negative that I have experienced and confirmed with Russound tech support is that the MBX does not actually have all of the features listed in its literature. I specifically purchased this unit because the literature states "When the MBX-PRE is actively streaming AirPlay, the volume control for the primary AirPlay zone and that of the AirPlay enabled device are linked, which means that a change in volume on the AirPlay-enabled device will also change the zone volume level on the Russound controller and vice versa." That features does not work and Russound confirmed it was not implemented. If you are using Airplay, you can not change the zone volume with the volume controls within the app you are playing (e.g., Pandora, Apple Music). You must switch back to the Russound app to change the volume in the zone. This feature was a driving feature in my decision to purchase a Russound system.
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Excellent Streaming Audio player
Jerry from ADAMSTOWN, MD on 2/13/2023
This streaming audio player that is a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth capable pre-amp was recommended to me by Crutchfield representative, Clarence, who listened patiently to me describe a very complex, but dated, multi-zone audio system in a rental property that I had purchased. Clarence understood my needs for a system that was simple to use, that allowed me and rental guests to stream music from their phones thru the system. Clarence recommended this receiver for use in connecting a Russound CAA66 controlling 6 zones with ceiling speakers allowing for streaming input from any phone. It is working great and the streaming player is doing the job just as described, with excellent sound quality. Russound should find a way to make set-up work without having to get a special code from them.
Pros:
Cons:
1 of 1 found this helpful
Russound streaming
David from Omaha, NE on 1/31/2023
The MBX-PRE is an excellent addition to my MCA-66 system. I have been amazed at how easy it is to set up streaming connection to my favorite radio stations and Sirius/XM.
Pros: Works well and the Crutchfield tech support was excellent.
Cons:
1 of 1 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Travis from Winter Garden, FL on 1/6/2023
Great product with a good Android app. They say they are planning on adding additional streaming services outside of what is currently supported. For those that are not directly supported you can Chromecast them directly to the device.
Pros:
Cons:
2 of 2 found this helpful
Great value and GREAT service from Crutchfield !
Lee from Spring Hill, TN on 12/31/2022
This is such a great solution for the Russound music source conundrum. Tapes and DVD's don 't play long enough but all day music from other bluetooth sources make a home sound system enjoyable and easy to change. Try TuneIn, a radio source of unbelievable variety that works flawlessly with this Russound unit.
Pros: Easy to set up Lots of source choices Great quality
Cons: none
4 of 4 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
James from Durham, NC on 10/19/2022
Great products and exceptional service. You will not be disappointed. Crutchfield has other retailers beat by a mile!
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Jeff from Tequesta, FL on 7/7/2022
Works well. Bought it for Sirius and Spotify access.
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Crutchfield customer from Highlands Ranch, CO on 8/28/2021
Great way to bring Google into an older whole system. Now I can stream the same music throughout the house
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Crutchfield customer from Leander, TX on 4/4/2021
Great replacement for a failed Xstream. Installed easily with the help of superb Crutchfield technical support over the phone.
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Crutchfield customer from Wrightsville Beach, NC on 11/15/2020
Somewhat clunky to set up along with a below average app holds this unit back from realizing its full potential in competing with the Sonos unit, but otherwise performs fairly well.
Pros:
Cons:
3 of 3 found this helpful
Russound MBX-PRE
Crutchfield customer from Colorado Spgs, CO on 6/9/2020
Excellent product
Pros: Easy to setup and operate
Cons: None
2 of 5 found this helpful
