McIntosh MCT500

The MCT500 is a McIntosh disc transport, designed to play CDs and SACDs without incorporating a digital-to-analogue converter. It must therefore be paired with a McIntosh unit equipped with digital inputs and a DAC: preamplifier, integrated amplifier or home cinema processor. Its role is to read the disc and transmit the digital stream in the best possible conditions to the electronics that will handle the conversion.

For SACD playback, the MCT500 must be connected via the supplied cable to a McIntosh unit fitted with a dedicated MCT input. This proprietary link establishes a secure digital connection, designed to preserve the integrity of the high-definition signal, both on SACD and standard CD. In addition, the unit offers three other digital outputs: standard balanced, coaxial and optical, to interface with a wider range of digital equipment.

The MCT500 is built around a dual optical sensor laser and a digital server that reads audio data at twice the normal rate, which improves error handling and playback stability. The drawer, made from cast aluminium, ensures precise disc positioning. An easily accessible USB input also allows playback of files stored on a USB drive.

In terms of compatibility, the unit accepts SACD, CD, CD-R/RW, DVD-R and USB drives, as well as the file formats AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit / 192 kHz) and WMA.

This transport is aimed at a user already equipped with a McIntosh DAC or preamplifier, wishing to enjoy physical CD and SACD playback while maintaining the consistency of an all-McIntosh system, notably thanks to the secure MCT link.