ЦАПы — McIntosh MDA200

The MDA200 is a standalone two-channel D/A converter from McIntosh, shipped in the USA and Canada from November 2022 at USD 5,000 and sold in the UK at GBP 4,995. McIntosh describes it as a way to add digital playback to an all-analogue system or to replace an older converter that has fallen behind current formats. It is no longer in current production, and it carried a 3-year limited warranty.

Key specs that matter

The conversion stage is the DA2 Digital Audio Module, built around a Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit DAC using ESS chips. There are seven digital inputs - 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT and 1 HDMI with Audio Return Channel. The USB input accepts native DSD up to DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the S/PDIF inputs, coaxial and optical, stop at 24-bit/192kHz. Frequency response is +0/-0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and +0/-3 dB from 5 Hz to 60 kHz depending on source. THD is 0.005%, and both S/N and dynamic range are rated at 100 dB. In fixed mode the balanced output delivers 4 V RMS and the unbalanced 2 V RMS, and in variable mode the range is 0-16 V and 0-8 V. Output impedance is 100 ohm on both. The case is 44.45 x 9.8 x 39.95 cm, weighs 6.1 kg and draws 35 W when on.

Engineering and use context

The converter sits on a replaceable module, so McIntosh can swap in a newer digital board later instead of the owner replacing the whole unit. Running the eight DAC channels in a quad balanced arrangement puts several converters on each output channel. Through the HDMI ARC link a TV can send its soundtrack to the unit, and multichannel Dolby and DTS streams arriving that way are converted to stereo. The MCT input accepts the DSD link from McIntosh SACD/CD transports, which ordinary S/PDIF inputs cannot carry. The unit is Roon Tested. The switchable output lets it work either as a pure DAC into a preamplifier line input or as a digital-only control centre with its own volume. For system integration there are data and power control ports, rear IR sensor inputs and an RS232 port. The front has the black glass faceplate, illuminated logo, rotary knobs and machined aluminium end caps, without output meters.

Pairing

Any preamplifier or integrated amplifier with XLR or RCA line inputs will take its fixed output, and in variable mode it can drive stereo power amplifiers directly. USB suits a computer or streamer as the file source, and the MCT500 transport links through the MCT socket for SACD.

Alternatives

The McIntosh D150 is a digital preamplifier and DAC with USB, coaxial, optical and MCT inputs plus a headphone amplifier.