McIntosh MB25 - Black glass

Description

The Compact McIntosh Bluetooth Transceiver

The McIntosh MB25 is a dedicated Bluetooth transceiver — a small unit that brings modern wireless connectivity to any high-fidelity audio system, McIntosh or non-McIntosh, vintage or current. Where a smartphone connects easily to a modern AV receiver, a McIntosh integrated from the 1970s or a pure analog chain has no native way to receive a Bluetooth stream. The MB25 slots in with a single interconnect between the source and the audio system, opening access to Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, and every other streaming platform played from a phone, tablet, or computer — with no compromise on the downstream sound quality. Compact footprint (9-29/64 × 2-1/2 × 3-15/16 in., 2.5 lb), not much bigger than a smartphone.

Bluetooth 5.0 With aptX HD and Class 1 Range (Up to 150 ft)

The MB25 uses the Bluetooth 5.0 standard with support for A2DP, SBC, AAC (native iOS), Qualcomm® aptX™, aptX Low Latency (for A/V sync when watching video), and aptX HD (up to 24-bit / 48 kHz wireless with no perceptible compression). Class 1 implementation — the highest-power Bluetooth class — paired with an adjustable external antenna mounted on the rear panel gives an ideal-conditions range of up to 150 feet (45.7 meters) in line of sight without major physical obstacles. That range far exceeds the Class 2 Bluetooth found in portable devices and allows comfortable use across multiple rooms of a home.

Comprehensive Analog and Digital Connectivity

The MB25 carries a full set of inputs and outputs: on the analog side, one stereo balanced XLR input and one stereo balanced XLR output for connection to a McIntosh preamplifier or integrated amplifier with balanced inputs, plus one stereo unbalanced RCA input and one output. On the digital side, one S/PDIF coaxial input and output plus one Toslink optical input and output for direct chaining with an external digital-to-analog converter (essential — see note below). Digital input format: PCM up to 24-bit / 192 kHz. Digital output format: 24-bit / 96 kHz. Important note: the MB25 CANNOT be used as a stand-alone digital-to-analog converter — the digital inputs (coaxial and optical) route only to a Bluetooth headphone or to the MB25's digital outputs, never to the analog outputs.

32-Bit DAC and Premium ADC Depending on the Mode

The MB25 carries two distinct conversion stages depending on which mode is active. In Receiver mode (incoming Bluetooth), a 32-bit digital-to-analog converter processes the Bluetooth stream to the XLR and RCA analog outputs, with the precision and low distortion expected of a McIntosh component. In Transmitter mode (physical source to Bluetooth), a premium analog-to-digital converter (ADC) handles the digitization of the analog source before encapsulating it in the Bluetooth stream. This dual-path architecture keeps the signal integrity and dynamic range intact in both directions of use.

What's New on the MB25 vs the MB20

The MB25 succeeds the MB20 by keeping all its functions and connectivity and adding three notable evolutions that meaningfully improve the day-to-day user experience. First, a new illuminated front glass panel replaces the MB20's simple LEDs — the display shows the audio signal rate (48 kHz, 96 kHz, etc.) and the connection type (aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC), a clear visual confirmation of the quality of the current stream. Second, input selection is now available in Transmitter mode (balanced analog, unbalanced analog, coaxial digital, or optical digital), for more flexibility in choosing the source to transmit. Third, a Power Control input and output have been added: the MB25 can now be powered on and off automatically alongside the rest of a McIntosh system via the shared Power Control line, with no manual intervention.

Hand-Assembled in Binghamton and McIntosh Aesthetic

Every MB25 is hand-assembled at the McIntosh factory in Binghamton, New York. The compact chassis is custom aluminum, topped with the signature illuminated black glass front panel and McIntosh illuminated logo — visually consistent with the rest of a McIntosh system, but intentionally understated to slip into an existing rack without cluttering the setup. Dimensions 9-29/64 × 2-1/2 × 3-15/16 in. (24 × 6.35 × 10.01 cm), net weight 2.5 lb (1.2 kg) — not much bigger than a smartphone. Ships with an adjustable external Bluetooth antenna and a wall-mount power supply with international adapters (Type A for the United States at 120 V, Type F Schuko for 220–240 V, and Type I for 220–240 V). 3-year limited warranty.

Common Questions

Why choose this product?

The McIntosh MB25 is the simplest and most elegant way to add Bluetooth connectivity to a hi-fi system that doesn't have it natively — a vintage McIntosh integrated, a pure analog chain, or even a current system limited to entry-level Bluetooth. Bluetooth 5.0 with the A2DP, SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency, and aptX HD codecs, Class 1 range up to 45.7 m through the external antenna, full XLR/RCA/coaxial/optical connectivity in and out, bidirectional transmitter or receiver operation, 32-bit DAC in Receiver mode and premium ADC in Transmitter mode. New illuminated front glass panel showing signal rate and connection type. Hand-assembled in Binghamton and backed by a 3-year limited warranty.

What's the difference between the MB25 and the MB20 it replaces?

The MB25 brings three main upgrades over the MB20 while keeping the same connectivity and Bluetooth performance. First, an illuminated front glass panel shows the audio signal rate (48 kHz, 96 kHz, etc.) and the Bluetooth connection type (aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC) — a clear visual confirmation of the current stream quality. Second, input selection is now available in Transmitter mode (XLR, RCA, coaxial, or optical) for more flexibility than before. Third, a Power Control input and output have been added for synchronized power on/off with a McIntosh system via the shared Power Control line. The MB20 remains in the McIntosh catalog.

What's the difference between Transmitter mode and Receiver mode?

In Receiver mode (blue LED), the MB25 accepts a Bluetooth stream from a phone, tablet, or computer — Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Qobuz, or any other source — and routes it to the hi-fi system via its analog outputs (XLR or RCA) or digital outputs (coaxial or optical). In Transmitter mode (green LED), the MB25 does the opposite: it takes the signal from a connected physical source (turntable through a phono stage, CD player, tuner) and transmits it to Bluetooth headphones or Bluetooth speakers. The MB25 can't run both modes at once; the mode is set via the rear-panel switch.

Can the MB25 be used as a stand-alone digital-to-analog converter (DAC)?

No. The MB25 does carry coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs, but these only serve for chaining to a Bluetooth headphone (in Transmitter mode) or to an external DAC (in Receiver mode). The MB25 does NOT convert a digital input signal to the analog XLR or RCA outputs. To use a digital CD player with a purely analog system, add an external DAC such as the McIntosh DS200 or a stand-alone converter.

What's the maximum Bluetooth range?

Through its Class 1 Bluetooth circuitry (the highest-power Bluetooth class) and the included adjustable external antenna, the MB25 offers a theoretical line-of-sight range of up to 150 feet (45.7 meters) without major physical obstacles. Real-world range also depends on the Bluetooth class of the other device — a smartphone (typically Class 2) limits the effective range to its own transmit power, generally around 10 to 15 meters with obstacles in the way.

What's in the Box

McIntosh MB25 Bluetooth transceiver

Adjustable external Bluetooth antenna

Wall-mount power supply with international plug adapters (Type A, Type F Schuko, Type I)

Owner's manual