MCD600 & MS500 From McIntosh

McIntosh has announced the MCD600 SACD/CD Player and the MS500 Music Streamer

McIntosh’s new flagship SACD/CD player is built around a newly designed digital circuit which encompasses a new 8-channel, 32bit upsampling PCM/DSD DAC.

Quad Balanced mode configuration dedicates four DAC channels to each channel (left and right).

In addition to disc playback, the MCD600 can also play music from flash drives from a front panel USB input.

Numerous file formats are supported including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24bit/192kHz) and WMA. User-generated CD and DVD Data Discs are also supported.

The MCD600 includes both fixed and variable balanced and unbalanced outputs, the variable outputs combined with its volume control allow the MCD600 to be connected directly to a power amplifier without needing a preamplifier.

Coaxial and optical digital inputs are included. The proprietary built-in High Drive headphone amplifier with 6.35mm front panel headphone output is in there too.

The front panel features new direct-LED backlighting, while the top has a new screen-printed glass panel listing performance specs and a block diagram.

The Linux-based MS500 combines both internet-based music streaming services, including Tidal and Spotify, and locally stored digital music, including lossless files with up to 24bit/192kHz resolution. 

Local music and the operating system are stored on a 500GB SSD plus a new fan-less processor (combined with improved ventilation).

The MS500 has built-in interfaces for Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, Murfie, Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM and TuneIn. Internet radio stations can also be added as presets.

You’ll find three USB inputs which allow external storage drives to be connected. Any of the USB ports can also be used to connect an external component with a built-in DAC. Utilising this external DAC, one additional independent audio zone can be created.

The operation is via the included remote control, a web browser or with free apps for Apple and Android devices.

Orders can be placed now with authorised McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin in May (US) and June/July (UK) both units are priced at £7,995

For more information call 01202 911886 or click on www.mcintoshlabs.com

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