Tag: McIntosh Group

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McIntosh Announces C2700 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

Cutting edge digital music capabilities combined with time tested vacuum tube performance

McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce the C2700 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. Following a long line of revered McIntosh vacuum tube preamplifiers comes the new C2700 Tube Preamplifier. Using their well-established vacuum tube topology, the C2700 also features McIntosh’s advanced DA2 Digital Audio Module technology to combine cutting edge digital music capabilities with time tested vacuum tube performance.

A worthy successor to McIntosh’s popular DA1 Digital Audio Module, the DA2 features an expanded set of capabilities. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs including all the same connections found on the DA1 (2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT) plus a new audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection. TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the C2700 to enjoy TV sound through a home audio system. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. The C2700 remote can control the TV’s power and volume when CEC communication is enabled in both the preamplifier and the TV. Besides these new HDMI (ARC) features found in the DA2, its USB input has increased DSD playback support up to DSD512 compared to the DSD256 limit of the DA1.

The DA2 is powered by a next generation, audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that has improvements in both dynamic range and total harmonic distortion compared to the DA1. The coax and optical inputs in the DA2 can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz for playback of high resolution audio. Finally, the DA2 has a McIntosh exclusive MCT input that offers a secure DSD connection to any of their MCT series of SACD/CD Transports to deliver the best possible sound quality of the high definition audio from SACDs.

For analog music, the C2700 has 9 inputs comprised of 3 balanced connections, 4 unbalanced connections, along with 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs for connecting a turntable or two. With a total of 16 inputs, the C2700 has a virtually infinite number of inputs to connect music sources. The C2700’s dual chassis design keeps the analog and digital sections separate to prevent signal corruption. Outputs include 3 variable balanced and 3 variable unbalanced plus 1 fixed unbalanced connection.

Bass and treble tone controls are included and can be adjusted in 2dB increments. The ¼” headphone jack is powered by McIntosh’s High Drive Headphone Amplifier which can power almost any pair of headphones; Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) is included and brings an added dimension to a personal listening session when activated. Home Theater Pass Through allows the C2700 to be seamlessly integrated into a home theater system. Power Control ports easily turn other connected McIntosh components on and off, while the Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.

All the C2700’s audio technology is packed inside the timeless McIntosh design highlighted by a black glass front panel backlit by direct LED lighting, blue meters, rotary knobs, an illuminated logo, aluminum end caps and a polished stainless steel chassis. The 6 alluring vacuum tubes can be viewed through a glass panel located on the top of the preamplifier. It can be paired with an assortment of amplifiers, CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers, room correction devices and speakers to complete a home audio system.

Pricing and Availability
Orders for the C2700 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin to the United States in August 2019 and the rest of the world shortly thereafter.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $8,000 USD

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McIntosh Announces C49 Preamplifier

Prepared for the Future of Digital Music

Binghamton, NY – May 21, 2019 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce the C49 Preamplifier.

Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which can be replaced by newer McIntosh digital audio modules that accommodate new digital technologies. This will allow the C49 to be kept up to date with digital music formats and viable well into the future.

The C49 comes with a multitude of inputs. For analog, it has 2 balanced, 3 unbalanced, 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet. On the digital side, it has 6 inputs housed in the DA1 module: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 proprietary MCT (for use with our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports). The DA1 is powered by an 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that is used in Quad Balanced mode; it supports up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz for playback of high resolution audio. In total, the C49 has 13 inputs, and each can be given user-friendly names to simplify system setup and control.

For outputs, the C49 has 2 balanced variable outputs, 2 unbalanced variable outputs, and 1 unbalanced fixed output. The outputs are designed for easy use when bi-amping speakers so that neither the highs or lows are inadvertently turned off. Audio sources can be fine tuned via the bass and treble tone controls. The C49 can be seamlessly integrated into a home theater system via Home Theater Pass Through. Power Control ports allow for the easy turn on/turn off of other connected McIntosh components, while the Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components. Our High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) is also included.

The C49 comes complete with classic McIntosh design staples such as a black glass front panel, knobs, an illuminated logo and aluminum end caps. Pair it with a variety of amplifiers, turntables, CD players, tuners, speakers, and room correction devices to make a complete home audio system.

Pricing and Availability
Orders for the C49 can now be placed with Authorized McIntosh dealers with shipping expected to begin to the United States in May 2019 and the rest of the world shortly thereafter.

Suggested retail price (VAT, shipping and any customs duties related to current standards of individual countries are excluded): $5,000 USD

About McIntosh
Founded in 1949, McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is known for offering distinguished quality audio products, superior customer service and the ultimate experience in music and film. All McIntosh products are handcrafted at the Binghamton, NY factory by over 150 employees with a passion for music and the McIntosh heritage. McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home entertainment experience for discriminating consumers around the world, with the iconic “McIntosh Blue” Watt Meters globally recognized as a symbol of quality audio. Since its inception, McIntosh has been powering some of the most important moments in music history and pop culture. From President Lyndon Johnson’s inauguration speech to Woodstock to the famous Grateful Dead “Wall of Sound,” McIntosh has not only witnessed history, it has shaped it. With McIntosh, customers have the ability to create their own premium audio experience – and truly live their music. Visit www.mcintoshlabs.com to learn more.

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McIntosh Announces Eleven Products as Roon Tested

Press Release:
Preamps and Integrated Amps among those to receive Roon Tested designation

Binghamton, NY – March 13, 2019 – McIntosh, the global leader in prestigious home entertainment and ultimate-quality audio for 70 years, is proud to announce that 11 of its products have received Roon Tested designation.

Roon is a rich and engaging way to browse, organize, and listen to music. Artist photos, credits, bios, reviews, lyrics, tour dates, and composers are located automatically, then interconnected by links to build a surfable digital magazine. Roon is also a multi-room, multi-user networked audio platform, it offers features such as bit-perfect playback, DSD and PCM upsampling, multichannel support, and Signal Path display.

The McIntosh products receiving Roon Tested designation are: C47, C52, C2600 and D1100 Preamplifiers; MA5300, MA7200, MA8900 and MA9000 Integrated Amplifiers; MAC7200 Receiver; MHA150 Headphone Amplifier; and MXA80 Integrated Audio System. All of these models utilize a powerful 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) used in Quad Balanced mode. Their coax and optical inputs will decode music up to 24-bit/192kHz; their USB inputs accept even higher PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz and support up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz.

Products designated as Roon Tested have been profiled and tested by both Roon and McIntosh for maximum compatibility. Roon will recognize these devices and send them audio optimized for their capabilities. The device settings in Roon are optimized to improve the customer experience. No fiddling with checkboxes or dropdowns, Roon Tested devices are automatically identified and configured out of the box.

“Many McIntosh customers have requested support for Roon, and today we are happy to announce that all of our current model preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers with digital audio are now Roon Tested,” said McIntosh President Charlie Randall. “All of these products were already full-featured units, and now with adding Roon Tested capabilities they will bring even more value and enjoyment to their owners.”

“We’re excited to be working with the team at McIntosh to give their customers the best experience possible of their McIntosh equipment and Roon,” said Rob Darling, Roon Director of Strategy. “Being Roon Tested will make it easier for McIntosh users to enjoy music while taking the technology of their systems to its fullest potential, from streamlining first-run set up to removing the complexity of configuring Roon DSP Upsampling so they can take advantage of the incredible high-res performance offered by McIntosh’s digital designs.”

How to get started
New users will need to create a Roon account, then download and install the application. Existing Roon users can trigger their system to acquire the McIntosh device icons and optimized settings by restarting their Roon Core beginning on March 13. Then they can use the Identify My Device feature in Device Settings to apply the new information.

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WHAT HI-FI? SHOW 2019 – MUMBAI (SHOW REPORT – PART 1)

8Th Floor

STATEROOM – 1

VINSHEK MARKETING

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

WATERFALL AUDIO

SONANCE

CORNERED AUDIO

GALLO ACOUSTICS

In typical exhibition fashion, the above brands were scattered all over the room, with demoes of Waterfall Audio happening side by side. Rest of the equipment from the above brands lay as static displays thereby covering all available room.

STATEROOM – 2

A.K. INTERNATIONAL

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

FOCAL

NAIM

Here the theme was static display & static display only! Covering almost the entire range of Focal loudpseakers from wall to wall, they had kept a couple of Naim Muso & Muso QB, at the centre of the room, as probably the only thing that could be showcased of Naim currently, since A.K. International have just been honoured with the distributorship of the Focal/Naim brands in India.

We were especially sad to see only & not hear anything in this room.

STATEROOM – 3

KEI

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

PIONEER

ELAC

FYNE AUDIO

JVC

NAD

PSB

TOTEM ACOUSTIC

BLUESOUND

KEI used the entire area in their room + used the lobby outside to their advantage in showcasing as much gear of their vast portfolio of brands as possible. Here it was Pioneer that got the entire lobby space dedicated to the reference CD player, couple of streamers post which it was their AVRS all the way. The star of the display albeit single & static facing the elevators was the Fyne Audio F1-10, which was kept as bait to attract visitors to their room. We hope to hear the same in the coming months as has been promised to us by KEI’s bossman.

Inside the room, NAD, ELAC, PSB, Fyne Audio products were on display along with an entire Bluesound wall showcasing the entire bluesound range of products. Star of the room and rightly so was the JVC DLA-NX9, the world’s first 8k E-Shift Projector that was on demo on an ALR Screen with Totem’s Tribe III On Wall speakers on each side with their Storm Subwoofers under each of them. A Pioneer UDP-LX500 Bluray Player & NAD M32 Integrated Amp were placed under the screen.

Overall, we can say KEI utilised their allotted space very wisely and to their advantage the most.

STATEROOM – 4

AUDIO EXCELLENCE + LAKOZY IMPEX & SERVICES +

SOUND & VISION

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

LEGACY AUDIO

PARASOUND

STORM AUDIO

SUPRA CABLES

SIM2

SCREEN RESEARCH

The coming together of 3 distributors to showcase their brands in a super hi end home theatre costing 1.5 Crores was going to be something special and thankfully we were not disappointed. After going through the static displays, we needed entertainment and entertainment is what we got! The bossman of Sound & Vision was in command of providing the demos of the set up and mercifully he knew how to go about the same, with each scene highlighting the capabilities of the sound & vision (Pun heavily intended!)  Needless to say, this room was awarded our “Star of the Show – Home Theatre” (Cost No Bar)

Kudos to the trio for pulling off an amazing installation albeit with all the compromises a hotel venue can throw at you. We hoped that this was going to be the way the rest of the rooms will follow, sadly not!

GRAND CRU SALON

MCINTOSH GROUP

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

MCINTOSH

SONUS FABER

Having re-launched themselves very recently in the Indian market, McIntosh Group had to showcase themselves well and also use this show as a spring board for not only launching themselves officially as their direct presence in the Indian market, but to also scout for prospective distributors & dealers, to cover their portfolio of brands and products pan India, that include Audio Research & Sumiko. Time will tell, what will be the outcome and how will they proceed and be successful so let’s hope for the best and wait and watch. Besides a yet again static display of some of the McIntosh Amps, Powered Speaker, they also showcased Sonus Faber Olympica III speakers with Mcintosh MA8900 Integrated Amplifer playing music via USB from a laptop. Alongside this setup was a pair of Sonus Faber Olympica II speakers on static display.

To be honest the demo set up sounded below average and we were quite disappointed to say the very least.

ALHAMBRA

PREETI TRADING CORPORATION

BRANDS SHOWCASED –

ATI

ASCENDO

ACCUPHASE

DENON

DYNAUDIO

MONITOR AUDIO

ROKSAN AUDIO

This was a massive room and yet again, used to fill up to the maximum with various static and demo products strewn or sprinkled intermittently all over the place. In one word – CHAOS!

To say that we could not hear anything to even remotely enjoy would be a gross understatement, what with demos going on simultaneously, be it stereo or home theatre, hence we shall refrain to comment on the same.