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McIntosh’s Gorgeous New Hi-Fi Component Is for Serious Audiophiles

Add high-resolution streaming to your existing hi-fi setup.

McIntosh DS200 streaming DACMcIntosh

By Tucker Bowe

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Despite the big news this fall that McIntosh had been acquired by Bose, the New York-based luxury audio brand isn’t changing its tune — it continues to churn out gorgeous audiophile-grade hi-fi components reserved for music enthusiasts with deep pockets.

In December, McIntosh released the MSA5500, a $8,000 high-end streaming amplifier. This week, it revealed an equally stunning streaming DAC: the McIntosh DS200.

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

McIntosh DS200 streaming DAC
The McIntosh DS200 has the brand’s signature look, with a black-glass front panel, tactile knobs and a green illuminated logo.
McIntosh

Signature style

The McIntosh DS200 is a streaming DAC (or network player) built in the same vein as its recently released MSA5500 streaming amplifier. It offers most of the same streaming and high-resolution playback features, but it obviously lacks an onboard amplifier.

This means that rather than a “just add speakers” streaming amplifier like the MSA5500, McIntosh’s DS200 is intended to connect to a preamplifier, amplifier or AV receiver, adding streaming capabilities to somebody’s existing hi-fi or home theater system.

For fans who have other McIntosh hi-fi components, the DS200 shares the same signature look, with a black-glass front panel, tactile knobs and a green illuminated logo.

McIntosh DS200 streaming DAC
The McIntosh DS200 supports streaming over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
McIntosh

Easy Streaming

The McIntosh DS200 has all the Wi-Fi streaming capabilities you’d expect in such a high-end music player, including support for Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. It’s also Roon Ready.

There’s built-in Bluetooth 5.0, too, with support for aptX HD and aptX Adaptive. This lets guests easily connect to your hi-fi system and play high-quality audio — no need to share your home’s Wi-Fi password.

On the back of the McIntosh DS200 are three antennas — two for Wi-Fi and one for Bluetooth — which you can adjust for a more stable connection.

McIntosh DS200 streaming DAC
The McIntosh DS200 has numerous wireless and wired connections, including eight physical inputs: optical (2x), coaxial (2x), USB and HDMI ARC.
McIntosh

Audiophile-grade DAC

The McIntosh DS200 features the same quad-balanced audiophile-grade DAC as the company’s MSA5500. It can play high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz via coax and optical inputs or up to 32-bit/384kHz (including DSD512 and DXD) via USB.

The McIntosh DS200 has eight digital audio inputs, including one for HDMI (ARC), allowing you to connect to compatible TVs.

If used in a home theater setup, McIntosh says that popular multi-channel audio formats like Dolby and DTS will be “expertly converted to two-channel audio for proper playback.”

McIntosh DS200 streaming DAC
McIntosh’s DS200 streaming DAC costs a cool $4K.
McIntosh

Price and availability

The McIntosh DS200 streaming DAC costs $4,000, making it half as expensive as the previously released MSA5500 streaming amplifier.

It’s available now and can be purchased from authorized McIntosh dealers.

McIntosh DS200 streaming DACMcIntosh

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

Specs

DAC Type 8-channel, 32-bit/384kHz PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
Streaming Support Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Roon, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect
Weight 20.5 pounds

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