McIntosh MP100 - Black

Description

McIntosh's First Dedicated Phono Preamp, in the Narrow Chassis Format

The McIntosh MP100 is the first dedicated phono preamplifier ever built by McIntosh — a focused response to the vinyl revival that applies McIntosh engineering rigor to the fundamentally analog craft of phono preamplification. The MP100 targets three user profiles. (1) The vinyl listener building a system from scratch who wants a full-featured phono preamp as the cornerstone. (2) The audiophile who already owns an older preamp or integrated amplifier without a phono input and wants to add the modern phono features (adjustable MM and MC, USB digitization). (3) The cinephile who wants to add a turntable to a home theater setup without duplicating the inputs and outputs already present on the A/V processor. The 11.5 inch (29.2 cm) narrow chassis, shared with the legendary McIntosh MXA80, MHA150, and MB50 components, lets the MP100 slot into almost any furniture setup.

MM and MC Inputs With 6 Front-Panel Selectable Loading Settings Each

The MP100 offers two separate RCA phono inputs on the rear panel: one moving magnet (MM) input and one moving coil (MC) input. Each input has its own 6-position front-panel loading selector to match the cartridge. MM input: fixed 47 kΩ resistance (industry standard for MM), selectable capacitance from 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, or 400 pF to account for cable capacitance and the cartridge manufacturer's recommended value. MC input: fixed 470 pF capacitance, selectable resistance from 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 1,000 Ω to precisely tailor the load to your MC cartridge's internal impedance. These 12 settings (6 MM + 6 MC) accommodate virtually every cartridge on the market at its recommended impedance.

Precision Solid-State Phono Stage: Gain, Noise, and RIAA

The MP100 is a solid-state (transistor) preamp, not a tube preamp — a coherent choice for the compact form factor and consumer-facing positioning of the product. Fixed factory-calibrated gains: 60 dB for the MC input (matched to low-output MC cartridges, 1 mV sensitivity) and 40 dB for the MM input (10 mV sensitivity). Remarkable signal-to-noise ratio: 78 dB in MC and 80 dB in MM. Total harmonic distortion of 0.005%. RIAA frequency response at ±0.3 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz — a high level of RIAA curve precision that reproduces the recorded musical signal without coloration. Rated output 2 V balanced / 1 V unbalanced, with 16 V RMS balanced / 8 V RMS unbalanced peak headroom — far more than needed to drive any preamp or integrated amplifier. Output impedance 200 Ω balanced / 100 Ω unbalanced.

Balanced XLR + Unbalanced RCA Analog Outputs (Fixed Level)

The MP100 offers two pairs of fixed-level analog outputs simultaneously: balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. The balanced XLR outputs provide better immunity to electromagnetic interference on long cable runs and higher voltage headroom — handy if your McIntosh preamp or integrated amplifier (MA252, MA352, MA5300, MA8950, MA9500, C22 Mk V, C55, C2800) offers XLR inputs. The unbalanced RCA outputs ensure compatibility with the vast majority of preamps, integrated amplifiers, and receivers on the market. Level is fixed (no volume control on the MP100 itself) — your preamp or integrated amplifier handles volume.

24-bit / 96 kHz Vinyl Digitization: USB, Coaxial, and Optical

The MP100 features a built-in analog-to-digital converter that lets you convert your vinyl records to high-resolution digital files. Three digital outputs all fixed at 24-bit / 96 kHz: USB, coaxial, and optical. The 24-bit / 96 kHz rate captures the full dynamic range of the groove while keeping file size reasonable. Front-panel digital clipping indicator: if a particularly dynamic passage risks overloading the conversion, the LED lights up — simply lower the software level for a clean recording. Important point for purists: the digital outputs can be completely disabled and the digital stage powered down — the MP100 then operates as a purely analog phono preamp.

Mono Switch and McIntosh Power Control Integration

A front-panel Mono switch sums the left and right channels for correct playback of monophonic pressings — which reduces surface noise, improves center focus of the sound stage image, and avoids the artifacts of playing a mono recording with a stereo stylus. 3.5 mm Power Control jacks (1 input + 1 output) on the rear panel: when the MP100 is connected to a McIntosh preamp or integrated amplifier via this sync cable, power-on and standby happen simultaneously from a single control. Modest 8-watt power consumption in operation.

Positioning, McIntosh Partners, and Recommended Gear

The MP100 is the only dedicated phono preamp in McIntosh's current lineup — the brand's other preamps (C22 Mk V, C49, C55, C8, C2800, C12000) build the phono stage into a full preamp chassis. The MP100 specifically targets those who want an external McIntosh phono stage. McIntosh explicitly recommends pairing it with its own turntables: the McIntosh MT2 and MT5. The 11.5-inch narrow chassis makes it physically compatible with McIntosh components in the same format (MXA80, MHA150, MB50) — though it also integrates just as well with McIntosh's standard-width components (MA252, MA352, MA5300, MA8950, MA9500, and the C-series preamps).

Common Questions

Can I use the MP100 with my MM or MC cartridge?

Yes, both. The MP100 offers two separate phono inputs on the rear panel: one moving magnet (MM) input and one moving coil (MC) input. You plug the turntable into the input that matches the cartridge type, then set the loading via the 6-position front-panel selector. For an MM cartridge, the input is at 47 kΩ (industry standard) and you pick from 6 capacitance values (50, 100, 150, 200, 300, or 400 pF) — check the cartridge datasheet for the recommended value. For an MC cartridge, capacitance is fixed at 470 pF and you pick from 6 resistance values (25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 1,000 Ω) — the common rule of thumb is to load the cartridge at 10 times its internal impedance. Those 12 values (6 MM + 6 MC) cover virtually every cartridge on the market.

How does the USB digitization work for archiving vinyl?

The MP100 has an internal analog-to-digital converter fixed at 24-bit / 96 kHz. You connect the MP100's USB output to a USB port on your computer (Mac or Windows), launch audio recording software that recognizes a USB audio interface (for example Audacity, free and cross-platform; or Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, etc.), select the MP100 as the audio input, and record the side of the record as it plays. After the recording, you can split tracks, add metadata, and export to FLAC or WAV 24/96. Bonus: the MP100 also offers fixed 24/96 coaxial and optical outputs if you'd rather use a dedicated digital recorder instead of a computer, or send the stream to a standalone DAC. A front-panel clipping indicator lights up if the record's level risks overloading the conversion — just adjust the software level.

Can I use the MP100 as a purely analog phono preamp?

Yes — and it's explicitly documented by McIntosh. The MP100's digital outputs (USB, coaxial, optical) can be completely disabled, and the digital stage can be powered down. The MP100 then operates as a purely analog phono preamp, with no digital clock running inside the chassis — the configuration preferred by purists who want the precision of analog-to-digital conversion available when they need it, but with no compromise on the phono stage during everyday analog listening.

Which McIntosh turntables and amplifiers pair best with the MP100?

McIntosh explicitly recommends pairing the MP100 with its own turntables: the McIntosh MT2 (Precision Turntable) and MT5 (Precision Turntable). On the amplification side, the MP100 connects to any preamp, integrated amplifier, or receiver that lacks a native phono input, or that has one you'd rather replace with a McIntosh-quality phono stage. Compatible McIntosh integrated amplifiers: MA252, MA352, MA5300, MA8950, MA9500, MAC7200 (stereo receiver). Separate preamps: C22 Mk V, C49, C55, C8, C2800, C12000 (the MP100 supplements or replaces their built-in phono stage if you prefer the MP100 implementation). Thanks to its 11.5-inch narrow chassis, the MP100 also forms a coherent physical stack with the McIntosh components in the same format: MXA80, MHA150, and MB50.

What's in the Box

McIntosh MP100 Phono Preamplifier

AC power cord

Power Control cable (3.5 mm mini-jack)

Owner's manual