CD/SACD-проигрыватели и транспорты — McIntosh MCD600

The MCD600 is the middle of three disc players in the current McIntosh range, placed above the MCD350 and below the MCD12000. It is a two-channel SACD/CD player built around a new digital section, and it also works as a DAC for external sources and as a USB file player. Styling follows the house pattern - a polished stainless steel chassis, a black glass front panel with an illuminated logo and knobs, aluminium end caps and direct LED backlighting, with a screen-printed glass top showing performance data and a block diagram.

Key specs that matter

An 8-channel 32-bit PCM/DSD converter runs in Quad Balanced mode, with four DAC channels given to each of the left and right outputs, and all PCM signals are upsampled to 32-bit/384 kHz. Fixed outputs deliver 2.0 V unbalanced and 4.0 V balanced, while the variable pair runs from 0 to 8.0 V unbalanced and 0 to 16.0 V balanced, all at 600 ohms. Frequency response is 4 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB on CD and 4 Hz to 40 kHz at plus 0.5 or minus 2 dB on SACD. Signal to noise is better than 110 dB A-weighted, dynamic range exceeds 100 dB, distortion is 0.002 percent at 1 kHz and channel separation is over 98 dB. The case measures 44.45 x 15.24 x 48.3 cm and weighs 12.7 kg, and standby draw stays under 0.5 W.

Engineering and use context

A twin-laser pickup uses 650 nm for SACD and 790 nm for CD and reads at twice normal speed for better tracking and error correction. Besides SACD and CD it accepts CD-R/RW and DVD-R, and from discs or a front USB flash drive it reads FLAC, WAV up to 24-bit/192 kHz, AIFF, ALAC, AAC, MP3, WMA and DSD up to DSD128. Coaxial and optical inputs let other digital sources use the converter, at up to 96 kHz and 192 kHz respectively, and matching outputs send up to 24-bit/192 kHz to an external processor. A 6.35 mm High Drive headphone output with 47 ohm impedance offers increased gain and power. Power Control, data and IR ports tie the player into a McIntosh system, and McIntosh covers the unit for three years.

Pairing

With its variable balanced and unbalanced outputs, the MCD600 can drive a power amplifier on its own, skipping a separate preamp, whereas the fixed pair suits a conventional preamp or integrated amplifier. The 17 cm front clearance needed for the open tray should be kept free on the shelf.

Alternatives

The McIntosh MCD350 is the entry player in the range, using a 2-channel 32-bit/192 kHz converter with fixed analog stereo outputs only.