McIntosh MCD12000 CD/SACD Player & DAC – First Look

All Image Credit: McIntosh

Clearly McIntosh strongly believe in the longevity of the CD/SACD format as they have just released a truly high-end, flagship, reference player that also doubles as a high-end DAC and is Roon compliant. This new “plastic” player has various connectivity styles to support up to seven digital sources that can each benefit from its ESS digital-to-analogue convertors.

The players DAC uses the top-of-the-range ESS SABRE PRO ES9038PRO 32-bit/8-channel DACs (one for each channel) which benefit from ESS’s patented HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator technology. These DAC’s have received Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs.

The seven digital inputs include:

• Two coaxial: 16, 24 bit/192KHz
• Two optical: 16, 24 bit/192KHz
• One AES/EBU
• One USB: up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz and DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
• One MCT (SACD)

Output signals are available via solid-state or tube. Solid-state uses a discrete balanced op-amp, while the tube output uses one 12AT7 and one 12AX7A valve per channel. In addition, coaxial and optical digital outputs offer you the flexibility of adding your own external DAC’s and digital connectivity.

Outputs include:

• Analog:
  • Solid State:
    • Stereo unbalanced phono
    • Stereo balanaced XLR
  • Tube:
    • Stereo unbalanced phono
    • Stereo balanaced XLR
• Digital
  • Optical
  • Coaxial

Separate analog and digital powers supplies are provided to reduce any form of interference cross-talk between the analog and digital circuitry. Each one uses an R-Core transformer to minimize radiated noise.

The disc players transport uses a twin-laser optical pickup assuring optimal reading of all common disc types. Designed around a precision die-cast aluminum tray the transport provides smooth and quiet disc handling, being controlled by an advanced digital servo to provide fast, quiet and accurate operation. All disc data is read at twice the normal rate ensuring better disc tracking and error correction processing.

Serial, IR, data and power control ports allow for seamless control and integration with other McIntosh system components.

Finally the MCD12000 comes in the classic matching McIntosh styling, with stainless steel with hairline-brushed black titanium casework, a black glass panel, illuminated logo, 60 dB output meters, large dials, and custom machine-brushed aluminum handles.

• Disc Formats: SACD, CD, CD-R/RW and DVD-R; popular file formats such as AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and WMA
• Frequency Response
  • 4Hz to 40kHz, +0.5, -2dB (SACD)
  • 4Hz to 20kHz, ±0.5dB (CD)
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.003% @ 1000Hz
• Channel Separation Better than 98dB (1,000Hz)
• Signal To Noise Ratio: 110dB (A-weighted)
• Dynamic Range: Better than 100dB
• Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC): Professional Grade 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced, 1 DAC per channel (2 DACs total)
• Coaxial Sample Rate: 16, 24-bit/192kHz
• Optical Sample Rate: 16, 24-bit/192kHz
• USB Sample Rate:
  • 16, 24, 32-bit/384kHz
  • DXD: DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
  • DSD: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
• Digital Output Sample Rate: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
• Analog Output Tubes:
  • Two 12AT7
  • Two 12AX7A
• IR remote

Availability:

MSRP (Approx.):

USA: $12,000.00

UK: £13,995.00

For more information visit McIntosh.