McIntosh has introduced its new MCD85 SACD/CD Player, which uses the company’s latest digital technologies housed in a compact-chassis device.
Featuring an open-chassis, the MCD85 SACD/CD Player has been hand-built and designed to complement the recently launched MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier.
As well as SACD/CD playback, the new device also features a USB input which supports high-resolution audio (up to DSD256 and DXD 384 kHz). An advanced internal DAC has been used to enable playback from smart devices, computers, and USB-equipped devices. Two coaxial and two optical (192 kHz-capable) digital inputs are also included.
The internal advanced quad balance DAC is an 8-channel, 32-bit/192 kHz device, with four DAC pathways dedicated to the left audio channel and four dedicated to the right in order to reproduce stereo sound.
For CD and SACD playback, the MCD85 features a 2x read speed and a buffer memory for better error correction and tracking. The player has a high-quality die-cast disc tray which has a new, custom front bevelled nose to match the angle of the chassis. A high-quality disc mechanism using a twin-laser optical pickup (single objective lens, two laser units) is used to read the discs, each employing different wavelengths optimised for SACD and CD.
The MCD85 SACD/CD Player can seamlessly integrate with other McIntosh components via the power control and data ports. Featuring both balanced and unbalanced fixed analogue and stereo outputs, it can also connect to other high-performance home audio equipment.
In usually McIntosh fashion, the front, top and rear of the chassis is polished to a mirror finish, and a die-cast aluminium name badge is affixed to each side. The MCD85 has a black glass front panel with direct LED backlighting for improved appearance, silver trim, and illuminated logo and rotary control knobs.
The MCD85 SACD/CD Player can be preordered now priced at £4,995. Shipping is expected in March 2021 for the UK.