McIntosh MCD600 SACD/CD player and MS500 Music Streamer

McIntosh has announced two new flagship ‘best-in-class’ source components: the MCD600 SACD/CD Player and the MS500 Music Streamer.

The renowned American audiophile brand has announced two new flagship products in the MCD600 SACD/CD player and MS500 Music Streamer.

MCD600 SACD/CD Player

The new flagship SACD/CD player is built around a newly designed digital circuit equipped with a new premium-quality 8-channel, 32-bit upsampling PCM/DSD digital-to-analogue converter (DAC).

Incoming audio signals (PCM) benefit from upsampling to 32-bit/384kHz resolution for improved sound quality. From there, the MCD600’s 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 its front panel USB input. Numerous file formats are supported including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and WMA. You can even use your own CD and DVD Data Discs.

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

Naturally, you get McIntosh’s proprietary built-in High Drive headphone amplifier. This is paired with a 6.35mm front panel headphone output. Coaxial and optical digital outputs enable convenient digital connections to external devices, too.

Of course, there’s the classic McIntosh styling. So, you get a polished stainless steel chassis, black glass front panel, illuminated logo, knobs and aluminium end caps.

MS500 Music Streamer

McIntosh’s flagship streamer is highly sophisticated and yet easy to use. The Linux-based MS500 combines both internet-based music streaming services, including Tidal and Spotify, and your locally stored digital music. It will play nice with lossless files with up to 24-bit/192kHz resolution.

The MS500 offers ultra-quiet operation by utilising a 500GB solid-state drive (SSD) for local files and a new fan-less processor.

You can access the leading music streaming direct from the streamer’s interface. So, Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, Murfie, Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM and TuneIn (services subject to change) are easy to get to. Internet radio stations can also be added as presets.

Additionally, you get three USB inputs allowing 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 Limux-based operating system can be controlled by the included remote or a web browser. You can also operate it via free apps for Apple and Android devices.

Again, the McIntosh styling is in full effect.

Pricing and availability

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.