MCD600 - Black

Description

SACD/CD Player, Standalone DAC, and USB File Player in One

The McIntosh MCD600 combines three functions in a single full-width McIntosh chassis. First, a full SACD/CD player that reads commercial SACD and CD discs as well as user-recorded discs (CD-R/RW and DVD-R containing audio files). Second, a standalone reference-grade Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that accepts a digital signal from any other component in the chain over a coax or optical input. Third, a file player directly from a USB flash drive, thanks to a front-panel USB Type-A input — handy for plugging in a flash drive containing your file library and listening straight through the system, no computer required.

8-Channel 32-Bit Quad Balanced DAC, 384 kHz Up-Sampling

At the heart of the MCD600 sits a premium 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD audiophile-grade Digital-to-Analog Converter. The DAC runs in Quad Balanced mode (4 conversion channels per audio channel, 8 in total) — this differential architecture lowers noise floor and total harmonic distortion to 0.002% at 1 kHz on SACD, CD, and data files. All incoming PCM signals are internally up-sampled to 32-bit/384 kHz before conversion. Signal-to-noise better than 110 dB (A-weighted), dynamic range better than 100 dB, channel separation better than 98 dB at 1 kHz. Frequency response 4 Hz to 40 kHz +0.5/-2 dB on SACD; 4 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB on CD.

Fixed and Variable Analog Outputs, XLR and RCA

The MCD600's rear panel provides two full sets of analog outputs: a fixed-level set (2.0 V RMS RCA / 4.0 V RMS XLR) for connecting to a preamplifier, and a variable-level set (0 to 8.0 V RMS RCA / 0 to 16.0 V RMS XLR) controlled by the MCD600's rotary volume knob and by the included remote. The variable set lets you connect the MCD600 directly to a stereo power amplifier (McIntosh MC312 for example) with no intermediate preamplifier. Output impedance 600 ohms across all analog jacks. A 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) front-panel headphone jack driven by the McIntosh High Drive headphone amplifier (47 ohm output impedance) drives headphones from 20 to 600 ohm impedance.

Digital Inputs and Outputs: Standalone DAC and Pass-Through

The MCD600 accepts a digital signal from any other component in the chain over a coax RCA input (up to 24-bit/96 kHz) and an optical Toslink input (up to 24-bit/192 kHz), both of which route to the same 32-bit/384 kHz Quad Balanced DAC that handles the SACD/CD tray signal. This turns the MCD600 into a central DAC for every digital source in the system (streamer, tuner, set-top box, computer, etc.). Two digital outputs (coax RCA and optical Toslink, up to 24-bit/192 kHz) also let you route the signal from the optical disc to an external DAC or digital recorder.

Direct File Playback From a USB Flash Drive

The front-panel USB Type-A input on the MCD600 accepts a USB flash drive or a USB portable hard drive directly. Supported file formats: AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192 kHz), and WMA. No computer required — the user navigates the flash drive's files from the front panel and the remote, and listens to a digital library straight through the MCD600. This front USB Type-A input is different from the rear USB Type-B inputs found on other McIntosh units (such as the MCD12000) that receive audio from a computer: the MCD600 is designed to play music stored on a drive, not to act as a computer's audio output device.

Transport: Die-Cast Aluminum Tray, Twin Laser, 2× Read Speed

The disc-loading tray is die-cast aluminum for smooth, quiet, vibration-free operation. A twin-laser optical pickup ensures optimal reading of both SACDs (650 nm wavelength) and CDs (790 nm wavelength). An advanced digital servo controls the transport with precision, and the disc is read at twice the normal speed (2×) — which improves tracking and error correction before the signal reaches the D/A stage. 3.5 mm Power Control input and output ports and Data Ports allow synchronization with the rest of the McIntosh stack.

Common Questions

Why choose this product?

The McIntosh MCD600 combines three functions in one chassis: SACD/CD player, standalone Digital-to-Analog Converter for other digital sources in the chain, and file player from a USB flash drive. 8-channel, 32-bit Quad Balanced DAC with all PCM signals up-sampled to 32-bit/384 kHz. Both fixed and variable analog outputs (XLR and RCA) — the variable outputs let you connect the MCD600 directly to a power amplifier with no preamplifier. Integrated High Drive headphone amplifier (1/4-inch jack on the front). Plays SACDs, CDs, CD-R/RW, DVD-R, and USB flash drives (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD up to DSD128, FLAC, MP3, WAV up to 24-bit/192 kHz, WMA). Hand-assembled in Binghamton, New York.

Can I connect the MCD600 directly to a power amplifier?

Yes — this is in fact one of the recommended configurations. The MCD600 has a set of variable analog outputs (XLR and RCA) controlled by the rotary volume knob and the remote, which can deliver up to 16.0 V RMS on XLR (8.0 V RMS on RCA). Connect that output set directly to a McIntosh stereo power amplifier (the MC312 is McIntosh's recommended partner) — you can then skip the preamplifier entirely and listen to the SACD/CD player, an external DAC connected over coax/optical, or a USB flash drive, straight through the power amplifier.

What formats and discs can the MCD600 play?

The SACD/CD reads commercial SACDs and CDs as well as user-recorded discs (CD-R/RW, DVD-R) containing audio files. The front-panel USB Type-A input accepts USB flash drives and USB portable hard drives containing AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192 kHz), and WMA files. The coax and optical inputs accept PCM up to 24-bit/96 kHz (coax) and 24-bit/192 kHz (optical) from any external digital source. Twin laser (SACD at 650 nm, CD at 790 nm), die-cast aluminum tray, disc read at twice the normal speed to improve error correction.

Does the MCD600 have a headphone amplifier?

Yes — the MCD600 integrates the McIntosh High Drive headphone amplifier: a 1/4-inch (6.35 mm) jack on the front panel with 47 ohm output impedance and enough gain and power to cleanly drive hi-fi headphones with nominal impedances from 20 to 600 ohms. Headphone output volume is adjusted with the front-panel rotary knob and the remote, exactly like the variable analog outputs. Headphone-output frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz ±0.5 dB.

Which McIntosh partners are recommended with the MCD600?

McIntosh explicitly recommends the MC312 stereo power amplifier (2 × 300 W) as the power partner and the C55 stereo preamplifier as the preamp partner. For an integrated two-channel chain, the MA352 solid-state integrated amplifier or the MA2375 vacuum tube integrated amplifier.

What's in the Box

McIntosh MCD600 SACD/CD Player

Remote control

AC power cord

Owner's manual