Money without object
We love to give practical purchase advice on the latest devices here in Techradar. But sometimes what we love even further It is enjoying the most ridiculous, high -end, avant -garde and luxurious technology of the planet. That is what we bring in these columns without money objects: you can read the entire series here.
If you are reading this (thanks for that, by the way) you are not a rookie in the high fidelity game. You know that McIntosh: you remember the MA6300 integrated amplifier of the American specialist, in the mid -ninety . of sound place. But this proposition is new again.
This is the McIntosh DS200, and this large piece of metal, buttons and its elegant class is specifically a transmission DAC. It is the separate one for you if you already have a compatible power amplifier and a preampling (if not, can I suggest the North 791 and 761 solution of Moon?) And, of course. Our high -fidelity hedonistic refuge and we can imagine what we like. Do you only lack the high -end transmission component to complete everything? McIntosh has it covered with the DS200.
What makes an McIntosh separate? For me, the sound
As expected, it is compatible with the Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast Plus Bluetooth wireless protocols. It is equipped with two Wi-Fi antennas and a Bluetooth antenna, as well as an Ethernet port for cable connections.
What about DAC? It is good: the DS200 presents a digital analog converter of eight channels of 32 bits quadruple, so, in addition to its transmission capabilities, the DS200 has a high -resolution digital audio reproduction through its eight digital audio inputs , including DSD512 and DSD512 and DXD up to 384 kHz through USB and 24 bits/192khz through INS Coax and optical. There is also an HDMI entry (ARC) to level their TV and films audio experiences, which can convert the Multicanal Dolby and DTS formats into two channel audio for an optimized playback in your particular system, if you wish.
The DS200 also looks balanced and unbalanced analog outputs, which means that it will fit almost any existing audio system. For example, it is a factory set in the fixed output mode, with an option to change to the variable for direct connection to a feeding amplifier, allowing the DS200 to control the volume in a completely digital audio configuration.
And I can’t finish this piece without mentioning McInth’s design language. The DS200 streaming DAC is the black glass front plate, rotating control knobs, the illuminated logo and the final custom machined aluminum covers that I love the company.
Ready for the big question? The DS200 will be available in March through authorized distributors of McIntosh with an official price of $ 4,000 / £ 5,890 / € 5,990, which costs around AU $ 6,302, if we take the figure of US dollars as a guide. Look, I can’t pay it. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t want to buy it …
