Yamaki
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- #1
Many perceive that McIntosh is all about big blue meters, weighty amplifiers, and quality components produced in the good old USofA for the discerning audiophile. And, just maybe, they appear to some as an older firm that is a bit stuffy and behind the times because their designs all look alike.
Clearly, McIntosh has been with us for quite some time and they were recognized very early back in the day for outstanding build quality, a unique aesthetic and their single minded dedication to building the best. But that doesn’t mean they are resting on their hard earned laurels from decades past. Rather McIntosh was, and still is, an innovative manufacturer of high end audio equipment. This is a company that is not afraid to embrace today’s technology. A case in point is the D100 digital pre-amplifier.
A friend of mine, by the name of John, loaned me his D100 to “try it out and see what you think.” I think John is a pusher of audio drugs but at least he has good taste. I don’t hesitate to repeat the favor every time I get the opportunity. However, I digress.
Is it a DAC? Is it a pre-amplifier? Or is it a headphone amplifier? Can it be all three and still excel? Is it too confusing to use and compromised by the conglomeration of multiple functions in one box? We’ll get to all that later. First, let’s get to know the D100.
McIntosh has been known for producing car-priced gear. The D100 is not as expensive as a new car but you could buy a reliable daily driver for the listed MSRP. The folks at McIntosh will admit they view the component as entry level compared to other products in their considerable line. This does not mean the D100 is sub-standard or deficient by any measure. Far from it. There is a solid, almost palpable, presence of purpose and quality here that includes an impressive blend of functionality and features which makes driving a D100 a distinct pleasure. Let’s lift the hood and do some exploring, shall we?
Looking inside you see what McIntosh has done and you can’t fault their approach to quality and function. You’ll find separate boards for the digital input interconnection circuitry, the DAC chip and supporting processors, the dedicated headphone amplifier, and the analog outputs; all nicely spaced so as not to interfere with each other. A lot of number crunching, designing and testing went into the D100 and it shows. There is no evidence of poor workmanship, shoddy materials or production shortcuts anywhere.
Surely the internal components are important but there is also a cherished aesthetic inherent in McIntosh gear that has become their trademark. The D100 carries on the McIntosh visual tradition faithfully. The LED and fiber optic driven front panel exhibits the characteristic green logo and a large, easy to read, digital display which immediately lets you know what input is active and the bit rate and the kHz of your source material. If one were to nitpick, it would be nice if McIntosh gave us a bit more range to play with in respects to the display brightness level. It’s either High or Low…that’s it with nothing in between. How hard would it have been to use the variable settings from some of their other components?
Moving on, to the left of the center display is the headphone jack, the input control knob and manual mute button. Something to note: The unit’s remote control does not have a mute button on it. If this piece will become your dedicated pre-amp, consider getting an inexpensive programmable remote as the volume button may become seriously worn over time. As an alternate, leave one of the five inputs empty which can function as a form of muting when you select it.
There’s a bit more to see on the front, namely the IR sensor, the setup button, a volume level control and the standby/power button. Lastly, the traditional black glass panel, a small red LED power indicator and the brushed aluminum side trims round out the front face. Pretty traditional yet purposeful and utterly devoid of any nonsensical frills. Clearly, this unit’s minimalist appearance exhibits the entry level designation McIntosh describes it as but it is not without its appeal to the McIntosh faithful.
Taking a walk around the back, kicking the tires as we go, you’ll see the on the left all the power and control connections which are comprised of the AC power input, In and Out power control signal connections, a Data In port for control of the unit via a McIntosh pre-amplifier (which do have a Mute function), and an IR input for signals from a compatible IR room sensor. Then come the digital inputs, including one USB, two optical and two digital coaxial inputs each. To the right is a nice feature, fixed and variable output balance XLR connections in addition to the standard unbalanced RCA outputs. If it’s missing anything it would be one more digital input, an AES/EBU connection. But, this is entry level, remember? We can’t have it all. But I’d really like to see one on a component that costs as much as a good daily driver. This is strictly a two-channel affair and that’s one more indication that “entry level” comes in many forms.
But that’s what it’s supposed to be, a good daily driver. Well, how does it go? Let’s give it a test drive.
Setup is very, very easy. Plug in your sources to their corresponding inputs. Then, connect your outputs to their destination. Remember, fixed audio outputs are used when connecting to a pre-amp with separate volume controls. Use the variable audio outputs if you are using the D100 as a pre-amp in addition to the DAC and headphone functions, connecting it directly to your amplifier(s). Then, if you so choose, connect your data, IR and power control cables . Lastly, plug in the power cable and you are almost ready to hit the gas.
Turning to the front of the unit, press your power standby button once to initiate the power circuit, then press it once more to turn the unit on. You can run the unit with the McIntosh default presets or customize it to your own liking by using the setup button and the level control knob. You won’t have much to do here other than setting the volume level (which can also be done via remote), selecting the input, viewing the firmware version, enabling the Auto Power On/Off function and setting the aforementioned brightness level. Easy as pie. With all this done you can release the parking brake and hit the road.
For this test, the unit was utilized as a DAC and a headphone amplifier only. Other connection options were not employed due to available time and a strong desire to connect the D100 in my system as I would any other DAC.
Source material was delivered to the D100 via coaxial connection from a Moon MiND 180 digital streamer connected via Ethernet to my server, all managed via iPad and SimAudio’s Apple app control software.
The D100’s signal was delivered to a McIntosh MX119 and eventually out through a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock amplifiers driving two Aerial Acoustic 8 floorstanding speakers. Interconnect cables are Wireworld and Audioquest offerings. In headphone mode I plugged both my Sennheiser HC700 and Sennheiser Momentum Black headphones directly to the D100. For this test, I pulled my Yulong Sabre D18 DAC from service and put the D100 in its place. While this review is focused on the D100, I must say the Yulong DAC line is a lesser known wonder of the audio world and well worth a listen.
The questions were asked earlier - Is it a DAC? Is it a pre-amplifier? Or is it a headphone amplifier? Can it be all three and still excel? This reviewer gives it three positive Yes’s and one qualified Yes.
The D100 comes equipped with an ESS Sabre 8 channel DAC capable of handling up to 32 bit / 192 kHz PCM data. Other than the aforementioned lack of an AES/EBU connection, which is not a deal killer, this entry level unit excels as a DAC.
We all know a poor source is a poor source and there’s no refinement inherent with any DAC that can overcome the shortcomings of a low quality file. I tried a mix of file formats including low to high resolution mp3, standard Apple quality m4a, CD quality FLAC and higher resolution FLAC up to 24/192. The D100 will play the lowest of the low and best of the best quality files with equal aplomb and seamless functionality. It is definitely true to the music, presenting a clear and transparent reproduction. You can expect a good file to sound good and, conversely, a bad file to sound bad. Regardless of format, with the D100 in play all the good quality files sounded good, even with their disparate formats, bit resolutions and sampling rates.
Of particular note is how the D100 separates the high, mid and bass ranges; presenting each at their own time and in their own place; all the while ultimately delivering a fluid and well balanced tonal experience. There is more detail, depth and soundstage here than one would expect for an “entry level” component. So as a DAC, the D100 is a definite Yes.
Is it a pre-amplifier? Well, this is where the answer is a qualified Yes. Certainly, is has volume control, input switching and the ability to accommodate a multitude of sources. However, it is digital only. Yes, we live in a digital world but there are those among us who live and die by the analog sources they cherish. My advice is if you are looking for a pre-amplifier for vinyl spinning, R2R playback or those rollicking cassette party tapes from the 80’s, look elsewhere. Not that the pre-amplifier in the D100 is deficient in any way. It simply is not as well-rounded as other units, even those within the McIntosh line. This is obviously where “entry level” comes into play again but if all you need is a pre-amplifier to handle up to five all digital sources, you could do much worse than the D100.
Time to put on the cans and let the headphones deliver some waves. While there are numerous brands of headphones available, I’ve always been partial to the fit and delivery of the Sennheiser line. I doubt that the reader will go running out and purchase a pair of either models I used for this review as they really don’t need to. You have your own favorites to use and the D100 will deliver the goods regardless of what brand your cans are. Just know that the headphone output's impedance is 47 Ohms and you should act accordingly. Ear buds will definitely not work and shame on you for using them in the first place with gear of this quality.
The headphone output was dead silent in between tracks. So quiet as to sound as if all matter had been sucked out of the universe and you were standing alone in absolute nothing. Sure, a good pair of over the ear headphones contribute to that isolation, however, the D100 makes sure that quiet is quiet and when there is music being played, the delivery is detailed, inviting and sonically pure. The peaks are a wonder to behold. I found myself reversing Murray Head’s “One Night In Bangkok” to the beginning several times just to be able to hear those impressive drums bouncing between the channels, creating a sonic path from ear to ear and a grin that was even wider. As a headphone amplifier, the D100 scores another definitive Yes.
So, does the D100 excel at all three functions? That depends on your needs, your sources and your pocketbook. For all the right reasons, and with today’s digitally focused world, the D100 will excel as all three components. In other words, the D100 represents Blended Perfection for a digital world and merits your close scrutiny if and when you are looking to step up your digital game with quality and finesse. The sound is open, detailed and dynamic, putting you right in the music with no hint that there is a pile of audio gear in front of you.
And for you McIntosh diehards, the future is now. This beloved brand has risen to the occasion once again, providing you with a quality, multi-functional component that seamlessly and professionally blends with your McIntosh audio treasure trove. Embrace the new age with nary a fear. It’s that good.
In closing I’d like to address one other question, the inevitable one posed to reviewers of all types of gear, which is; “Would you buy one?”
In a word, Yes.
Or, I might move unexpectedly and leave my friend John wondering what happened to his D100.
Clearly, McIntosh has been with us for quite some time and they were recognized very early back in the day for outstanding build quality, a unique aesthetic and their single minded dedication to building the best. But that doesn’t mean they are resting on their hard earned laurels from decades past. Rather McIntosh was, and still is, an innovative manufacturer of high end audio equipment. This is a company that is not afraid to embrace today’s technology. A case in point is the D100 digital pre-amplifier.
A friend of mine, by the name of John, loaned me his D100 to “try it out and see what you think.” I think John is a pusher of audio drugs but at least he has good taste. I don’t hesitate to repeat the favor every time I get the opportunity. However, I digress.
Is it a DAC? Is it a pre-amplifier? Or is it a headphone amplifier? Can it be all three and still excel? Is it too confusing to use and compromised by the conglomeration of multiple functions in one box? We’ll get to all that later. First, let’s get to know the D100.
McIntosh has been known for producing car-priced gear. The D100 is not as expensive as a new car but you could buy a reliable daily driver for the listed MSRP. The folks at McIntosh will admit they view the component as entry level compared to other products in their considerable line. This does not mean the D100 is sub-standard or deficient by any measure. Far from it. There is a solid, almost palpable, presence of purpose and quality here that includes an impressive blend of functionality and features which makes driving a D100 a distinct pleasure. Let’s lift the hood and do some exploring, shall we?
Looking inside you see what McIntosh has done and you can’t fault their approach to quality and function. You’ll find separate boards for the digital input interconnection circuitry, the DAC chip and supporting processors, the dedicated headphone amplifier, and the analog outputs; all nicely spaced so as not to interfere with each other. A lot of number crunching, designing and testing went into the D100 and it shows. There is no evidence of poor workmanship, shoddy materials or production shortcuts anywhere.
Surely the internal components are important but there is also a cherished aesthetic inherent in McIntosh gear that has become their trademark. The D100 carries on the McIntosh visual tradition faithfully. The LED and fiber optic driven front panel exhibits the characteristic green logo and a large, easy to read, digital display which immediately lets you know what input is active and the bit rate and the kHz of your source material. If one were to nitpick, it would be nice if McIntosh gave us a bit more range to play with in respects to the display brightness level. It’s either High or Low…that’s it with nothing in between. How hard would it have been to use the variable settings from some of their other components?
Moving on, to the left of the center display is the headphone jack, the input control knob and manual mute button. Something to note: The unit’s remote control does not have a mute button on it. If this piece will become your dedicated pre-amp, consider getting an inexpensive programmable remote as the volume button may become seriously worn over time. As an alternate, leave one of the five inputs empty which can function as a form of muting when you select it.
There’s a bit more to see on the front, namely the IR sensor, the setup button, a volume level control and the standby/power button. Lastly, the traditional black glass panel, a small red LED power indicator and the brushed aluminum side trims round out the front face. Pretty traditional yet purposeful and utterly devoid of any nonsensical frills. Clearly, this unit’s minimalist appearance exhibits the entry level designation McIntosh describes it as but it is not without its appeal to the McIntosh faithful.
Taking a walk around the back, kicking the tires as we go, you’ll see the on the left all the power and control connections which are comprised of the AC power input, In and Out power control signal connections, a Data In port for control of the unit via a McIntosh pre-amplifier (which do have a Mute function), and an IR input for signals from a compatible IR room sensor. Then come the digital inputs, including one USB, two optical and two digital coaxial inputs each. To the right is a nice feature, fixed and variable output balance XLR connections in addition to the standard unbalanced RCA outputs. If it’s missing anything it would be one more digital input, an AES/EBU connection. But, this is entry level, remember? We can’t have it all. But I’d really like to see one on a component that costs as much as a good daily driver. This is strictly a two-channel affair and that’s one more indication that “entry level” comes in many forms.
But that’s what it’s supposed to be, a good daily driver. Well, how does it go? Let’s give it a test drive.
Setup is very, very easy. Plug in your sources to their corresponding inputs. Then, connect your outputs to their destination. Remember, fixed audio outputs are used when connecting to a pre-amp with separate volume controls. Use the variable audio outputs if you are using the D100 as a pre-amp in addition to the DAC and headphone functions, connecting it directly to your amplifier(s). Then, if you so choose, connect your data, IR and power control cables . Lastly, plug in the power cable and you are almost ready to hit the gas.
Turning to the front of the unit, press your power standby button once to initiate the power circuit, then press it once more to turn the unit on. You can run the unit with the McIntosh default presets or customize it to your own liking by using the setup button and the level control knob. You won’t have much to do here other than setting the volume level (which can also be done via remote), selecting the input, viewing the firmware version, enabling the Auto Power On/Off function and setting the aforementioned brightness level. Easy as pie. With all this done you can release the parking brake and hit the road.
For this test, the unit was utilized as a DAC and a headphone amplifier only. Other connection options were not employed due to available time and a strong desire to connect the D100 in my system as I would any other DAC.
Source material was delivered to the D100 via coaxial connection from a Moon MiND 180 digital streamer connected via Ethernet to my server, all managed via iPad and SimAudio’s Apple app control software.
The D100’s signal was delivered to a McIntosh MX119 and eventually out through a pair of Emotiva XPA-1 monoblock amplifiers driving two Aerial Acoustic 8 floorstanding speakers. Interconnect cables are Wireworld and Audioquest offerings. In headphone mode I plugged both my Sennheiser HC700 and Sennheiser Momentum Black headphones directly to the D100. For this test, I pulled my Yulong Sabre D18 DAC from service and put the D100 in its place. While this review is focused on the D100, I must say the Yulong DAC line is a lesser known wonder of the audio world and well worth a listen.
The questions were asked earlier - Is it a DAC? Is it a pre-amplifier? Or is it a headphone amplifier? Can it be all three and still excel? This reviewer gives it three positive Yes’s and one qualified Yes.
The D100 comes equipped with an ESS Sabre 8 channel DAC capable of handling up to 32 bit / 192 kHz PCM data. Other than the aforementioned lack of an AES/EBU connection, which is not a deal killer, this entry level unit excels as a DAC.
We all know a poor source is a poor source and there’s no refinement inherent with any DAC that can overcome the shortcomings of a low quality file. I tried a mix of file formats including low to high resolution mp3, standard Apple quality m4a, CD quality FLAC and higher resolution FLAC up to 24/192. The D100 will play the lowest of the low and best of the best quality files with equal aplomb and seamless functionality. It is definitely true to the music, presenting a clear and transparent reproduction. You can expect a good file to sound good and, conversely, a bad file to sound bad. Regardless of format, with the D100 in play all the good quality files sounded good, even with their disparate formats, bit resolutions and sampling rates.
Of particular note is how the D100 separates the high, mid and bass ranges; presenting each at their own time and in their own place; all the while ultimately delivering a fluid and well balanced tonal experience. There is more detail, depth and soundstage here than one would expect for an “entry level” component. So as a DAC, the D100 is a definite Yes.
Is it a pre-amplifier? Well, this is where the answer is a qualified Yes. Certainly, is has volume control, input switching and the ability to accommodate a multitude of sources. However, it is digital only. Yes, we live in a digital world but there are those among us who live and die by the analog sources they cherish. My advice is if you are looking for a pre-amplifier for vinyl spinning, R2R playback or those rollicking cassette party tapes from the 80’s, look elsewhere. Not that the pre-amplifier in the D100 is deficient in any way. It simply is not as well-rounded as other units, even those within the McIntosh line. This is obviously where “entry level” comes into play again but if all you need is a pre-amplifier to handle up to five all digital sources, you could do much worse than the D100.
Time to put on the cans and let the headphones deliver some waves. While there are numerous brands of headphones available, I’ve always been partial to the fit and delivery of the Sennheiser line. I doubt that the reader will go running out and purchase a pair of either models I used for this review as they really don’t need to. You have your own favorites to use and the D100 will deliver the goods regardless of what brand your cans are. Just know that the headphone output's impedance is 47 Ohms and you should act accordingly. Ear buds will definitely not work and shame on you for using them in the first place with gear of this quality.
The headphone output was dead silent in between tracks. So quiet as to sound as if all matter had been sucked out of the universe and you were standing alone in absolute nothing. Sure, a good pair of over the ear headphones contribute to that isolation, however, the D100 makes sure that quiet is quiet and when there is music being played, the delivery is detailed, inviting and sonically pure. The peaks are a wonder to behold. I found myself reversing Murray Head’s “One Night In Bangkok” to the beginning several times just to be able to hear those impressive drums bouncing between the channels, creating a sonic path from ear to ear and a grin that was even wider. As a headphone amplifier, the D100 scores another definitive Yes.
So, does the D100 excel at all three functions? That depends on your needs, your sources and your pocketbook. For all the right reasons, and with today’s digitally focused world, the D100 will excel as all three components. In other words, the D100 represents Blended Perfection for a digital world and merits your close scrutiny if and when you are looking to step up your digital game with quality and finesse. The sound is open, detailed and dynamic, putting you right in the music with no hint that there is a pile of audio gear in front of you.
And for you McIntosh diehards, the future is now. This beloved brand has risen to the occasion once again, providing you with a quality, multi-functional component that seamlessly and professionally blends with your McIntosh audio treasure trove. Embrace the new age with nary a fear. It’s that good.
In closing I’d like to address one other question, the inevitable one posed to reviewers of all types of gear, which is; “Would you buy one?”
In a word, Yes.
Or, I might move unexpectedly and leave my friend John wondering what happened to his D100.
