McIntosh has introduced the MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver, designed to add McIntosh-quality wireless Bluetooth streaming to almost any McIntosh or non-McIntosh home audio system, even legacy systems.
Modernising home audio systems, the MB20 Transceiver enables system to not only be wireless but allows music to be sent and received with McIntosh sound quality.
The Class 1 device has been designed to provide a superior Bluetooth connection using Bluetooth 5 and offers support for a wide range of transmission codecs, including the high bitrate Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) standard, as well as Qualcomm aptX HD for hi-res audio playback. It also features Qualcomm aptX Low Latency for improved audio transmission speed to deliver sound in sync with applicable devices.
When using receiver mode, users can stream to the MB20 via Bluetooth from any compatible device, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. The MB20 deploys a high-performance on-board 32-bit/192kHz DAC. The device can also be used with existing DACs too – the MB20’s digital output is then fixed at 96kHz for compatibility.
In transmitter mode, listeners can stream from the MB20 to any device capable of receiving Bluetooth streamed audio. In this configuration, users can wirelessly stream music from physical media, such as CD, vinyl, Bluetooth headphones and speakers in other parts of the home. As a transmitter, the MB20 has a range 10 times greater than a typical Class 2 Bluetooth device. It also employs an extremely sensitive receiver for better reception, even from Class 2 devices. Its external antenna helps to maximise the MB20’s range for even better performance.
The MB20 can also add high-performance Bluetooth to hi-fi home audio systems as one of very few Bluetooth devices to offer audiophile-quality balanced connections (inputs and outputs).
When in transmitter mode, the MB20 uses a high-performance analogue-to-digital converter (ADC) with a 110 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It benefits from both coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs for its DAC and ADC sections. A back-panel switch changes the device to the proper setting for the desired usage.
Complementing any existing McIntosh system, the MB20 comes in a black, custom-aluminium chassis with a black-glass top-panel. The system is compatible with any non-Mcintosh home audio system with conventional inputs and outputs. It also includes a wall-mount charger with adapters for most common outlets used around the world.
The MB20 is priced at £649 with shipping expected to start in June 2021.