McIntosh has announced two new products: the MCD600 SACD/CD Player and MS500 Music Streamer.

MCD600 SACD/CD Player

At the heart of the MCD600 is a newly designed digital circuit highlighted by a new premium 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). The DAC is used in Quad Balanced mode, with 4 DAC channels allocated to each of the left and right audio channels. All PCM signals are up-sampled up to 32-bit/384kHz.

Besides commercial SACDs and CDs, the MCD600 can also play music from user generated CD or DVD Data Discs as well as USB flash drives. Numerous file formats can be played from these including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and WMA. Flash drives can easily be connected via the front panel USB input.

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. Coax and optical digital inputs and outputs are included as is the McIntosh High Drive headphone amplifier.

The MCD600 has a polished stainless steel chassis, black glass front panel, illuminated logo, knobs and aluminium end caps. 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.

MS500 Music Streamer

The MS500 Music Streamer integrates both internet based streaming music and locally stored digital music into one device. Local music and the operating system are stored on a 500GB solid state drive (SSD) that has no moving parts to create noise; second, a new fanless processor combined with improved ventilation means noisy cooling fans are not needed.

Besides onboard music storage, the MS500 has built in interfaces to leading streaming services such as Deezer, Murfie, Pandora®, Rhapsody®, SiriusXM®, Slacker, Spotify®, TIDAL and TuneIn (services subject to change). Internet radio stations can also be added as presets. Three USB ports allow for external mass storage or flash drives to be connected. Any one 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 MS500 uses a Linux based operating system. It is operated via the included remote control, a web browser or with free apps for Apple and Android devices.

MCD600: $7,000 USD

MS500: $6,000 USD

UK pricing is £7995 each.

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