McIntosh does DSD, Double DSD and DXD - New From McIntosh - D150

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Joined
Apr 2, 2013
Messages
30,482
Location
Sarasota, FL
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The D150 digital stereo preamplifier expands McIntosh's digital music capabilities by supporting many of the newest digital audio formats such as DSD and DXD. A USB input accepts up to 32-bit/384kHz signals and supports DSD64, DSD128, DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz. Two coaxial and two optical inputs accept up to 24-bit/192kHz signals. It is a simple solution to add the latest digital music formats to your existing system.

Balanced and unbalanced connections are available for both variable and fixed volume audio outputs, providing flexibility in setting up and connecting your system. Or simply add an amplifier, a pair of speakers and a digital source for a complete digital based stereo system. It's also flexible enough to be used a headphone amplifier; just connect your digital sources and a pair of headphones, such as the MHP1000​ (not included), for a personal listening experience.

The D150 uses the same revered DAC as the D100, featuring an 8 channel, 32-bit, 500kHz D/A converter with wide dynamic range and extremely low distortion. Eight channel D/A converter is used in stereo Quad Balanced mode. Music at all levels is reproduced with extreme precision and elegance. A 1/8” mini jack is provided for control data from the data output jack of a McIntosh preamp or A/V Control Center​. It shares the classic façade, knobs and handcrafted black-glass front panels as all other McIntosh components in a small form factor of just under 4" in height.​

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
ULTRA LOW DISTORTION
0.002%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE, +0, -3DB
4Hz to 68,000Hz
MAXIMUM VOLTS OUT (BALANCED / UNBALANCED)
16/8 V RMS
INPUT IMPEDANCE (BALANCED / UNBALANCED)
44K ohm, 22K ohm
PHONO VOLTAGE GAIN
N/A
HIGH LEVEL VOLTAGE GAIN
N/A
SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
110dB
DUAL MONO POWER SUPPLY
No
DUAL MONO, FULLY BALANCED
Digital, Fully Balanced
CONNECTIVITY
HEADPHONE OUTPUT
Yes 1/4", High Drive
INPUTS UNBALANCED
No
INPUTS BALANCED
No
VARIABLE OUTPUTS UNBALANCED
1 Stereo
VARIABLE OUTPUTS BALANCED
1 Stereo
DIGITAL USB INPUT
1 (2.0, 32/192 Asynchronous)
44.1kHz to 384kHz, 32-Bit (PCM) DSD64, DSD128, DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
DIGITAL COAXIAL INPUT
2
DIGITAL OPTICAL INPUT
2
DIGITAL DIN INPUT
1
PHONO MOVING MAGNET
No
PHONO MOVING COIL
No
RECORD PROCESSOR LOOP
No
INPUT LEVEL MATCH
No
HOME THEATER PASS THROUGH
No
CONTROL
TONE CONTROLS
No
TONE BYPASS AND INPUT ASSIGN
No
RS232 CONTROL INPUT
No
POWER CONTROL OUTPUT
Yes, 1
REAR PANEL DATA PORTS
Yes, 1 in
REAR PANEL IR SENSOR INPUT
Yes
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
MULTI-CHASSIS OR SINGLE
Single
OUTPUT METERS
No
TUBE OR SOLID STATE
Solid State
ON, POWER CONSUMPTION
30 watts
WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
DIMENSIONS (W X H X D)
17.5" (44.45cm) x 3-7/8" (9.8cm) x 16" (40.64cm)
WEIGHT
13.5 lbs (6.1kg)
SHIPPING WEIGHT
Yes
 
I think you would have to be a serious Mac head to buy the D150. And by that I mean someone who can't look at McIntosh gear without sporting some audiophile wood. It's housed in a plain Jane cheap sheet metal box with some McIntosh lipstick on the front panel and it sells for $3k. I realize that for a piece of McIntosh gear that $3k is on the cheap side, but other than the fact you get a McIntosh faceplate, I don't know that you are receiving great bang for the buck. It will be interesting to see how they sell. The good news is that you get up to 2x DSD.
 
According to my local dealer he sold quite a few of the D100's. I didn't ask who the buyers were but for that price you get a good DAC, a headphone amp, a pre-amp if necessary. Great for those making there first purchase in the McItnosh camp.
 
still-one said:
According to my local dealer he sold quite a few of the D100's. I didn't ask who the buyers were but for that price you get a good DAC, a headphone amp, a pre-amp if necessary. Great for those making there first purchase in the McItnosh camp.
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I agree.
 
Don't get me wrong, I hope McIntosh sells a ton of them. I just think their are better buys in the D/A market for $3k or less.
 
Cool product, waiting for firmware updates for the rest of the McIntosh Digital product collection.
 
volks said:
I agree.
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+1. Yes it's a customised core rebadge that doesn't ooze luxury but it has the bang for buck. For the DSD it's the McIntosh proposition with a great DAC behind it.
If it also had ADC, I'd be in.
 
Does anyone know whether they'll be another firmware update to the MCD1100? It has the reference ESS 9018 DAC. I would much prefer to use the MCD1100 DAC for DSD than buy another DAC.
 
Steve- I asked a smilier question on another forum and Ron Cornelius's reply was essentially no. It was something like get JRiver and transcode* from DSD to PCM on the fly.

*This is all predicated that no one can reliably tell the difference between DSD, DSD128, PCM (16bit or 24bit).
 
o0OBillO0o said:
Steve- I asked a smilier question on another forum and Ron Cornelius's reply was essentially no. It was something like get JRiver and transcode* from DSD to PCM on the fly.

*This is all predicated that no one can reliably tell the difference between DSD, DSD128, PCM (16bit or 24bit).
Click to expand...

Yes I just received the same confirmation. The hardware implementation will not allow for a DSD USB input.
 
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