McIntosh MCT 500 – High End Stereo Equipment We Buy

McIntosh is one of the most dependable brand names when it comes to high-end audio systems. For years the brand has been recognized by audiophiles throughout the world as equipment that delivers clear and consistent quality in music. McIntosh is probably best known for its amplifiers and preamps, but the company produces many other components and parts for stereo and home theatre.

What are the specs for the McIntosh MCT 500?

Digital Output Sample Rate:
Coaxial - Up to 24-Bit/192kHz, Optical - Up to 24-Bit/192kHz
XLR:
Up to 24-Bit/192kHz
MCT:
Up to 24-bit/96kHz (CD); DSD128 (SACD and Data DVD)
Digital Optical Output:
-15dbm to -21dbm
Digital Coaxial Output:
0.5V p-p/75 ohms
Digital Output Jitter:
≤ 32ns with 1kHz test tone
Digital XLR Output:
5V p-p/150 ohms
Digital MCT (DIN) Output:
3V @110 ohms Dimensions (W x H x D), 17-1/2" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 19" (48.3cm) Note- When the Disc Tray is opened, the panel clearance required in front of mounting panel is 6-3/4 inches (17.2cm).
Weight:
26 lbs (11.8 kg)

What else to know about the McIntosh MCT 500?

"I next compared the MCT500 with an Oppo UDP-203 Blu-ray player used as a CD transport (sadly, it's discontinued, but it sold for $550, £649, AU$949). The MCT500 made CDs sound more like hi-res files, the UDP-203 put up a good fight, but music was less complex and interesting. As to whether you can justify the price differential between the MCT500 and the UDP-203, the MCT500 would only start to make sense if you already own a large collection of CDs and SACDs. After all, if you already paid many thousands of dollars for the music, the MCT500 will make it sound better. As for SACDs, the sound was brilliantly clear, but I can't say each and every SACD made me sit up and take notice. The quality of the recording, mix, and mastering determines the sound quality of each SACD. One of my all time favorites is The Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East, and listening back through time to those concerts was a real thrill. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these two McIntosh components. While I like the C47, it's a very competent sounding preamp with a very generous features set, I was more impressed with the MCT500. This high-end transport it will bring out the best in the sound of all your CDs and SACDs." - cnet.com

Brief History of McIntosh

Long mapped-to Binghamton New York – the current headquarters and manufacturing center for McIntosh Labs – not many people know the brand was originally launched outside of the Nation’s Capital in Silver Spring Maryland, in 1949. In 1956, the brand built their original facility in New York, according to the official brand website.

Other McIntosh Products We Often Buy

Typically, StereoBuyers purchases mostly used amplifiers, especially the vintage amps and high-end McIntosh models such as the MC202 or MC252, and the C220 preamp, for example. We have also purchased many pre-owned tuners from McIntosh over the recent years, including the MR67 and MR78 models, for example.

StereoBuyers has purchased tens of thousands worth McIntosh brand equipment since 2014, with individual buys ranging from $100 to well over $50,000. If you are moving, ready to upgrade, or have McIntosh equipment you do not or will not be using, why not contact us today to find out if it is worth good money?

If you are interested in selling your used McIntosh equipment to us in the greater NYC area or Colorado, please click here to fill out a Free Quote Form and we will get back to you. If we agree on terms, we come to meet you where you want, and pay cash.

The following images show actual McIntosh equipment purchased by StereoBuyers.