McIntosh Labs MCD85 2-Channel SACD/CD Player
The MCD85 makes SACD, CD and hi-res digital files feel rich, weighty and effortlessly musical. HiFi News highlights its taut, deeply defined bass, persuasive instrumental timbre and relaxed flow, while USB-B, coaxial and optical inputs turn this striking player into a flexible quad-balanced DAC. It is a commanding bridge between treasured discs and a computer-based library.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Usability
87/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Rich, warm tonal balance combines excellent bass extension, definition and punch with an exceptionally easy, engaging presentation.
Versatile player/DAC functionality includes SACD/CD replay, USB-B for high-resolution PCM and DSD, plus two coaxial and two optical inputs.
Instruments carry persuasive weight, timbral detail and speed, supported by solid premium construction.
Cons
Presentation is less open and airy than some rivals, with ambience and presence details rendered more subtly.
Dual-function control knobs require some familiarisation, and the tall chassis needs generous rack space.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
The MCD85 is presented as a rich, weighty and exceptionally easy-going disc player, with particularly satisfying bass authority and natural instrumental weight. Its presentation trades some top-end air, ambience and presence detail for warmth, punch and a relaxed sense of musical flow.
Tonal Balance Musicality
90/100
HiFi News found the sound consistently good, describing it as rich, warm and lush, with excellent bass extension and definition. The reviewer especially valued its ease of presentation, bass weight and punch, though listeners seeking a more open or airy top end may find its perspective somewhat restrained.
Resolution Detail
86/100
The review heard excellent timbral detail and speed from instruments, which suggests convincing texture and articulation. However, ambience was said to be hinted at rather than explicitly painted, and the player gives up some nuance of presence and spatial information compared with more open-sounding alternatives.
Digital Performance
85/100
The MCD85's disc and DAC performance was reported as consistently enjoyable, with no suggestion of harshness or overt digital distraction. The review does not closely examine jitter, noise floor or source-to-source DAC behavior, so there is limited direct evidence beyond its generally smooth and assured musical presentation.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
As a SACD/CD player with a capable USB DAC section, the MCD85 offers strong source flexibility rather than a streaming-led experience. Useful setup and system-control provisions help it integrate cleanly into a McIntosh-based or conventional separate-component system.
Streaming Software
85/100
This is a disc-focused player rather than a network streamer, so the review discusses no streaming app, library platform or streaming-service integration. Day-to-day operation is aided by practical input-list management, selectable auto-off, auto-muting during format changes and configurable IR behavior.
Features Connectivity
91/100
Connection provision is generous, with two optical and two coaxial digital inputs plus USB-B supporting PCM up to 384kHz/32-bit and DSD256. Fixed RCA and balanced XLR outputs are joined by data, trigger and external IR connections, while the broad disc and file-format support adds useful flexibility.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
HiFi News characterises the MCD85 as substantial in the metal and specifically credits its hefty transformers and solidity of build. Its unusually bold physical format will need appropriate rack space, but the available commentary supports a reassuringly robust, premium-feeling construction.
Value for Money
85/100
At £4,995 in the reviewed market, the MCD85 is a major visual and financial commitment, particularly given its large footprint. The review does not directly compare its value with similarly priced SACD/CD players or decide whether its sound and feature set justify the asking price.
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Specifications
- Number of Channels
- 2
- Fixed Output Level
- 2.0Vrms Unbalanced4.0Vrms Balanced
- Variable Output Level
- N/A
- Output Impedance
- 100 ohms Unbalanced and Balanced
- Frequency Response
- ±0.5dB from 20Hz-20kHz
- Signal To Noise Ratio
- Better than 100dB (A-weighted)
- Dynamic Range
- Better than 96dB
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- 0.02% @ 1000Hz
- Channel Separation
- Better than 85dB (1,000Hz)
- Headphone Output Impedance
- N/A
- Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) Type
- 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD, Quad Balanced
- Coaxial Sample Rate
- 16, 24-bit/192kHz
- Optical Sample Rate
- 16, 24-bit/192kHz
- USB Sample Rate
- 16, 24-bit/192kHzNative DSD and DoP DSD Up to DSD256, DXD384
- Digital Coaxial Input
- 0.5V p-p/75 ohms
- Digital Optical Input
- -15dbm to -21dbm
- Digital Output Sample Rate
- N/A
- Digital Optical Output
- N/A
- Digital Coaxial Output
- N/A
- Digital Output Jitter
- N/A
- Digital XLR Output
- N/A
- Digital MCT Output
- N/A
- Balanced Fixed Output
- 1
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
- 1
- Balanced Variable Output
- 0
- Unbalanced Variable Output
- 0
- Digital Coaxial Inputs
- 2
- Digital MCT Inputs
- 0
- Digital Optical Inputs
- 2
- Digital USB Input
- 1
- Digital USB Input Type
- Type B
- Digital Coaxial Outputs
- 0
- Digital MCT Output
- 0
- Digital Optical Outputs
- 0
- Digital XLR Output
- 0
- Headphone Output
- 0
- Power Control Inputs
- 1
- Power Control Outputs
- 1
- Rear Panel Data Inputs
- 1
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Inputs
- 1
- RS232 Control Inputs
- 0
- Disc Formats
- SACD, CD, CD-R/RW and DVD-R; popular file formats such as AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV (up to 24-bit/192kHz) and WMA
- Disc Capacity
- 1
- Laser Type
- Twin Beam
- Laser Beam Wavelength
- 650nm (SACD)790nm (CD)
- Laser Power
- CLASS IIa/CLASS I
- Standby Power Requirement
- <0.5 watt
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
- 12-5/32" (30.9cm) x 7-3/4" (19.7cm) x 16-1/4" (41.3cm)
- Unit Weight
- 20.5 lbs (9.3 kg)
- Shipping Weight
- 27.5 lbs (12.5 kg)
Manufacturer's Description — McIntosh Labs
- 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD Quad Balanced DAC
- Plays commercial and burned CDs; DVD Data Discs
- Fixed analog stereo outputs
- USB Audio input supports up to DSD256
- Coax and Optical digital inputs
Immerse yourself in your music with the MCD85 SACD/CD Player. The MCD85 with its open chassis design is not only a serious piece of music hardware, but it shows that you are serious about your love of music. With the great success of our similarly retro styled MC275 and MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifiers, MA252 and MA352 Integrated Amplifiers, and the warm reception of the recently introduced MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier that also have retro touches, it's clear that many people want their home stereo system not to blend in, but instead to be distinctive looking. To be put on display. To be a conversation starter. To make the statement that "A Serious Music Lover Lives Here." The MCD85 does all that. And more.
The MCD85 can play store bought SACDs and CDs as well as music from homemade CD or DVD Data Discs. Numerous file formats can be played from these discs including AAC, AIFF, ALAC, DSD (up to DSD128), FLAC, MP3, WAV, and WMA. The USB Audio input supports up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz, and can be used to stream digital music from a computer or other digital storage device. There's also two coax and two optical digital inputs that support PCM signals up to 192kHz.
Conversion of the digital data stored on the discs or in the digital music stream into an analog signal for playback is performed by a quad balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit/192kHz Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Four DAC channels are dedicated to the left audio channel, and four to the right audio channel to ensure truly exceptional stereo sound reproduction.
Both balanced and unbalanced fixed analog stereo outputs are available to connect the MCD85 to your preamplifierintegrated amplifier, and other home audio system components. Thanks to its narrower width and balanced outputs, it can be placed close to your listening position for ease of loading discs, with long balanced cables connecting it to your audio system without fear of signal loss.
The MCD85 employs 2x read speed, meaning all discs placed in its sturdy die-cast tray are read at higher speeds, allowing their data to be stored in a buffer memory for better error correction and tracking. The tray features a new, custom front beveled nose to match the angle of the chassis and provides smooth and quiet disc handling. Disc reading is performed in the high-quality disc mechanism by a twin laser optical pickup that uses a single objective lens with two laser units, with each employing different wavelengths that are optimized for SACD and CD playback. Power Control and data ports allow for seamless integration with other McIntosh home audio system components.
A die-cast aluminum name badge is affixed to each side of the chassis. The front, top and rear of the chassis is polished to a mirror finish – just like on the aforementioned MC275, MC1502, MA252, MA352, MC830 and C8 – making the MCD85 a welcome and matching addition to any system using those models. But the MCD85 is not limited to systems using just those models as it has all the necessary connections and McIntosh design traits to fit into any McIntosh home audio system. The MCD85 features a black glass front panel with direct LED backlighting for improved appearance, silver trim, an illuminated logo, and rotary control knobs. Contact your local dealer to learn more.
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Authorized dealers for McIntosh Labs MCD85 2-Channel SACD/CD Player
- Absoulute Audio plus Video — in-store — Aiken, South Carolina, United States (website)
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Designs Inc. — in-store — Scottsdale, Arizona, United States (website)
- Advance Audio — in-store — Wichita, Kansas, United States (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Ajasom — online and in-store — Amadora, Lisboa, Portugal (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
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