Apologies for a long review coming up, but I feel this machine deserves one 🙂

I have owned a Technics CD player and amplifier, and a pair of large Wharfedale speakers, since the late-1990s, and they have given me non-problematic service ever since. In 2019, I started looking for a replacement for the Logitech Squeezebox Duet (bought 2011), that I’d added to this “separates” system to play network-based audio.

I initially looked for a device in the “hi-fi separates” physical form-factor, with DLNA media server support, and preferably with the ability to play FLAC-format audio (as much of my personal music library, served from a rather elderly Synology NAS box, is FLAC files). Really, I thought that any other features would be a “bonus”… but about this time, I found the Majority Fitzwilliam 2. The F2 ticks both “DLNA” and “FLAC” boxes, and is also a DAB/FM radio-tuner, Internet radio player, Spotify Connect client *and* a Bluetooth audio-receiver… so on paper at least, it looked like everything I was looking for, and more besides.

The Fitzwilliam 2 comes in both black and brushed-silver finishes, so I chose the black to match my existing system. I ran the stereo analogue phono outputs from the Fitzwilliam into the amp, and as my hi-fi “stack” is installed in the same cabinet as the TV and cable modem, I connected the player to our network via an Ethernet cable. This made the initial setup a bit easier, as entering a wireless network passphrase is a bit fiddly using either the Fitzwilliam’s front controls or the supplied remote.

Being the same width as the other “separates”, in visual terms the Fitzwilliam fits (sorry…) right into my system. I find it stylish without drawing too much attention to itself – it sounds great as well, and I really appreciate having such a wide choice of audio sources to choose from.

(A tip: if you own a smartphone, tablet or Chromebook, I *strongly* recommend you install “Undok” – basically, a remote control/management app for “smart” media devices (including the Fitzwilliam), available for iOS and Android. Once you’ve got the F and your phone/tablet on the same network, you can control and configure almost all features of the former from the Undok app.)

So, how about the playback options? With DAB/FM radio, I got variable results, mainly with the signal becoming erratic if I came too physically close to the unit! This is almost certainly down to the Fitzwilliam’s placement in a stack of equipment under the TV, surrounded by cables and the “media cabinet”, and having to rely on the included (small) telescopic antenna. If I want the radio features to work more consistently, I would probably have to look into more powerful aerial options; however, that’s not a priority for me as it’s more important that the network options function well (which they do – besides, the DAB is usually fine if I stay on the sofa!).

With Internet “radio”, stations can be located, selected and saved as “favourites/presets”, entirely via the Fitzwilliam’s front panel. (It’s easy enough to do there, but again, I recommend the Undok app for this task.) I found an old personal favourite IR station (1.fm Otto’s Baroque) which I was happy to hear again, and in my copious free time (!) I look forward to exploring more.

I *was* hoping to test DLNA server playback, but at almost exactly the time I took delivery of the Fitzwilliam, the hard drive in my venerable Synology NAS box started making alarming clicking noises and stopped responding… so DLNA will have to wait 🙁 (Thankfully, my music library was backed up elsewhere.) I also haven’t had the chance to try playback from a local USB storage device, but will no doubt do so soon.

Spotify Connect is great, especially as we have a Premium “family plan” at home. This option “just works”, with Spotify apps on my iPhone and Chromebook auto-detecting the Fitzwilliam as a “play on…” option. Finally, the F can act as a Bluetooth audio receiver – it “just works” too, and is a handy feature to have, especially as standalone BT audio adapters can cost not much less than the Fitzwilliam.

All the above, covers “merely” the features of the Fitzwilliam I have tried myself. I have not tested the analogue aux input (I have no need of it), nor the digital outputs (optical and coaxial). In the latter case, I have no equipment such as an external DAC to connect to digitally, but I have read that this option works very well if you are particular with sound quality. Although I like the clock it displays during standby, I don’t need the sleep timer or alarm on the Fitzwilliam, though it could be a handy feature if I considered another Majority device (like the Peterhouse) for the bedroom?

TL;DR (!): in the short time since it arrived, the Majority Fitzwilliam 2 has proven a superb addition to my hi-fi setup. It “looks the part” in a separates “stack”, can be controlled remotely (via the supplied IR remote or iOS/Android app), is packed with features, with a decent sound, for a ridiculously low price. If you’re looking for a machine to bring your “separates stack” into the 2020s – and especially if you’re on a tight budget – you should take a very good look at the Fitzwilliam 2.