How many people want a 12-channel or 16-channel DAC? And a 7-channel or 12/16-channel power amplifier?

[dualazmak]

I further posted;

- Possible strict synchronization of multiple independent DAC units within Windows 11 PC using VB-AUDIO MATRIX Version 1.0.2.5: -5-
Drift of synchronization is well suppressed/eliminated, but inconsistent kick-off/start-up timings are still there... #1,020

 

[dualazmak]

Further and possibly final post on the theme has been placed;
- Possible strict synchronization of multiple independent DAC units within Windows 11 PC using VB-AUDIO MATRIX Version 1.0.2.5: -6-
_____Objective confirmation of trigger (kick-off/start-up) timing lags and excellent role of MATRIX 1.0.2.5 as digital distributor/selector feeding into multiple independent USB-DAC units: #1,021

 

[dualazmak]

dCS enters world of Multichannel Audio: MCD 16 (or MCD16 or MCD-16) Multichannel (16-channel) DAC announced

One of my audio enthusiast friends in Japan kindly shared this exciting link with me;
https://dcsaudio.com/edit/mcd-16
"The MCD 16 will make its public debut at High End Vienna 2026, running from 4–7 June".

I am very much looking forward to seeing the details and performances of "MCD 16", looks expensive though.

 

[welwynnick]

How many people want a 12-channel or 16-channel DAC? ​

dCS enters world of Multichannel Audio: MCD 16 (or MCD16 or MCD-16) Multichannel (16-channel) DAC announced

Logically the next question is "How MUCH do you want a 16 channel DAC?
It's interesting what dCS are doing here. The MCD 16 has AES/EBU inputs, and does not have HDMI, USB or AOIP inputs and Dolby/Atmos decoding.
Therefore it's aimed at high end systems with a multi-channel processor with AES outputs like Trinnov, Storm, Lyngdorf or maybe JBL Synthesis.
It will never be on my short-list, but I felt obliged to add it to my table of multi-channel converters. At the top.

 

[dualazmak]

Logically the next question is "How MUCH do you want a 16 channel DAC?

At least I myself would like to have 16(or more)-Ch DAC like Merging HAPI and/or RME M-32 DA Pro II; it would be a good replacement for my present OKTO DAC8PRO since my current DSP-based multichannel multi-SP-driver multi-amplifier full-active audio setup (ref. here) is 5-way 10-channel, and I would like to have more than 10-channel for some auxiliary signal processing (including VU-meter monitoring) as well as for future possible expansion/addition and (on-the-fly) selection/switching of amplifier(s)-SP-driver(s).

It's interesting what dCS are doing here. The MCD 16 has AES/EBU inputs, and does not have HDMI, USB or AOIP inputs and Dolby/Atmos decoding.
Therefore it's aimed at high end systems with a multi-channel processor with AES outputs like Trinnov, Storm, Lyngdorf or maybe JBL Synthesis.

Yes, it looks you are right. Now we can see further details (still not official?) of coming dCS DAC 16 (DAC16, DAC-16) here.
https://www.monoandstereo.com/dcs-mcd-16-a-new-chapter-in-multichannel-high-fidelity-audio/

Even though MCD 16 has no HDMI, USB nor AOIP inputs, it looks, and I really hope, it would accept DANTE and/or Ravenna digital input through RJ45-Cat6A wired ethernet routing.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Even though MCD 16 has no HDMI, USB nor AOIP inputs, it looks it accepts DANTE and/or Ravenna digital input through RJ45-Cat6A wired ethernet routing.

I see an RJ45 but no evidence of its use for audio. OTOH, the DB25 is a convenience.

 

[dualazmak]

I see an RJ45 but no evidence of its use for audio. OTOH, the DB25 is a convenience.

Yes, it looks MCD 16 has DB25 AES input; I do hope RJ45 would support DANTE and/or Ravenna inputs.
Hopefully we, some of ASR members, will see the details soon at High End Vienna 2026, running from 4–7 June!
I am looking forward to hearing some "report" from ASR members attending High End Vienna 2026.

 

[Chrispy]

Aside from what my avr offers, not a lot.