McIntosh Laboratory has launched the MCT450 SACD/CD transport — a high-performance disc-spinner designed to complement any McIntosh product with a digital input. The MCT450 offers digital balanced (24-bit/192kHz), coaxial (24-bit/96kHz), optical (24- bit/192kHz) and DIN output. This connection will deliver a DSD stream but only to a McIntosh D150 digital preamp.
I asked McIntosh’s Chuck Hinton why they have decided to build a disc transport in the digital age and was told: “Streaming is available from every HT preamp, player, TV, video game system and soon, every toaster and toilet you put in your house will let you poop to Pandora or toast to Tidal, we make a streaming box and have some in HT preamps as well. Most udiophiles have a vast collection of CDs and many own a good portion of the few thousand titles available on SACD, they still want to play those.” I’m looking forward to hot buttered soul with my toast me!
The MCT450 transport is compatible with all common disc types including: SACD; CD; CD-R and CD- RW (MP3 and WMA). A twin-laser optical pickup assures optimal disc-reading, while 2x read speed provides improved data-reading from damaged discs. Features include a premium aluminium die-cast CD tray, plus power and data ports to control the unit’s operational state via other McIntosh system components. The entire unit is housed in a classic McIntosh-styled polished stainless steel chassis with a black- glass front panel and brushed-aluminium end caps. The MCT450 sells for £4,495 and is distributed in the UK by Jordan Acoustics.
Jason Kennedy
