McIntosh has introduced the new D1100 Digital Preamplifier and MP1100 Phono Preamplifier with the aim of integrating turntables and digital devices into home audio systems. The D1100 Digital Preamplifier includes the company’s most advanced DAC to date, featuring nine digital inputs, while the MP1100 Phono Preamplifier features 24-bit digital outputs to enable recording from vinyl sources.

D1100 Digital Preamplifier

The D1100 Digital Preamplifier is a flexible reference-level stereo preamplifier featuring the most advanced DAC (digital-to-analogue converter) McIntosh has ever used. It features nine inputs to keep even the largest digital system connected. The D1100’s advanced eight-channel, 32-bit DAC is used in Quad Balanced mode and digital inputs include three optical, three coaxial, plus MCT, AES/EBU and USB inputs, the latter accepting up to 32-bit/384kHz signals and supporting DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz playback; all other inputs accept up to 24-bit/192kHz. Three pairs of balanced and unbalanced stereo outputs are also offered.

The D1100 is designed for ease of use: all inputs can be renamed, its four data ports and four power control triggers are fully programmable, plus it has both IR and RS232 external control. For personal listening it features McIntosh’s Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®). The D1100 is a fully featured, fully functional self-contained unit that can be used independently of any other preamplifier. It can also be connected to and used in tandem with, its analogue equivalent, the C1100 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. Combining the two together, with the included umbilical cable, creates the definitive analogue and digital stereo preamplifier. When connected, the C1100 takes over all control of the D1100 giving a single, easy-to-use interface. The D1100 is housed in a polished stainless steel and hairline brushed black titanium stainless steel chassis.

MP1100 Phono Preamplifier

The new MP1100 Phono Preamplifier has been designed for vinyl lovers. It utilises four 12AX7A vacuum tubes, with two tubes per channel in a fully balanced configuration, making it McIntosh’s very first fully balanced vacuum tube phono stage.

The MP1100 has three sets of RCA phono inputs, with one set of XLR connectors. All phono inputs allow for adjustment of both resistance (six settings) and capacitance (eight settings). For ease of use, the preamp comes pre-programmed with profiles for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet cartridges as well as McIntosh’s MT10 and MT5 turntables. Five additional fully customisable profiles are included and these can be assigned to any phono input. RIAA, LP, NAB, AES and 78 analogue equalisation curves are also available, plus two useful built-in analogue filters: a Rumble Filter and a Scratch Filter. Adjustable gain from 40dB to 64dB allows for further customisation, while a mono setting enables proper playback of mono recordings. In addition, there’s a pair of balanced and unbalanced high-

level inputs for connecting other sources, and a pair of balanced and unbalanced fixed outputs complete the connections. In a nod to today’s digitally environment, the MP1100 also has an optical, coaxial and USB output. These are fixed at 24-bit and can be set to either 96kHz or 192kHz. When used with a properly configured conversion program, the USB output can be used to accurately rip vinyl to a computer. McIntosh’s digital output clipping indicator notifies the user when distortion is being recorded to the file, allowing settings to be adjusted to create distortion-free digitised audio.

To combat noise, the MP1100 is a dual-mono design. It can be paired with any preamplifier, integrated amplifier or home theatre processor that includes a volume control. An ideal match is McIntosh’s C1100 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier which also has a dual-mono design; both also share the same polished stainless steel and hairline brushed black Titanium stainless steel chassis.

Pricing and availability
Orders are now being accepted for both units with (US) shipping anticipated to begin for D1100 in December and MP1100 in January 2017.

D1100: £8,995
MP1100: £9,995