McIntosh's new DS200 Streaming DAC. Will it become popular?

[DanielT]

What do you think? I have to admit that I thought it would cost MORE than it appears to be. I don't really understand the pricing, the differences, but maybe for potential buyers it matters less?

The McIntosh DS2000 Streaming DAC will cost £5890 / $4000 / €5990 (around AU$11,700) and it goes on sale in March.

McIntosh's new DS200 streaming DAC promises audiophile performance with wireless convenience

The best of both worlds?

www.whathifi.com

We'll see what happens, but the brand itself with its inherent reputation will most likely boost sales.

Here a general marketing, sales video about its features.Roon ready for example. Exactly what that means I don't know as I don't use Roon. Just mentioning it for those interested in that feature:

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

The ultimate solution for music enthusiasts who demand the perfect blend of high-end audio quality and seamless streaming capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

 

[GXAlan]

It’s interesting that it’s the same exact price as the MDA-200.

McIntosh MDA200 D/A Converter

Provides premium digital music playback capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

The MDA200 has the upgradeable DAC, but it’s not really clear if there is any advantage unless they introduce eARC with some sort of DTS:X or Dolby TrueHD downmixing. This one has the whole streaming platform, but no upgradeable DAC.

 

[A Surfer]

Insane prices. I get build quality, support, and other typically discussed considerations, but really this seems pretty expensive.

 

[DanielT]

Insane prices. I get build quality, support, and other typically discussed considerations, but really this seems pretty expensive.

To get this brand logo:

.. to light up a listening room, some people will probably be willing to pay a decent penny to get.At least that's what Bose assumes, otherwise they wouldn't have:

Bose buys McIntosh, storied maker of high-end luxury audio equipment

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/11/19/bose-buys-mcintosh-storied-maker-of-high-end-luxury-audio-equipment.html

Count out the manufacturer's brand and there is absolutely something in your saying Insane prices. Although not as insane as I thought it would be.

 

[VientoB]

In that colour it reminds me of Monster

 

[eddantes]

Wow!! A "cast <dramatic pause> to <dramatic pause> streamer" !!! No BAD HARD DRIVES! Can you guys believe it!!!! In 2025 !!!!

I <dramatic pause> AM <dramatic pause>

 

[Karmacoma]

The LCD screen straight from the 90's... Eversolo beware!

 

[VientoB]

Hulking monstrosity on a marble chopping board.

 

[DanielT]

I am not a potential buyer of McIntosh's products but I am fascinated by how hard or aggressively successful McIntosh markets and thus sells on their reputation/brand.
It makes people cough up a lot of money just to get their company logo. Here is an example of that:
although I don't know how many of this watch they sold I should add

MCLK12 Clock

Illuminated meters for ease of sight Temperature compensated Quartz movement ----SPLIT---- The McIntosh MCLK12 mantle clock is a celebration of time while being a tribute to classic McIntosh design. Constructed with the signature McIntosh blue watt meters, the MCLK12 demonstrates the same easy...

shop.mcintoshlabs.com

Looks,brand sells. I did a google image (bilder) search. Lots of pages appeared:

 

[Karmacoma]

I am not a potential buyer of McIntosh's products but I am fascinated by how hard or aggressively successful McIntosh markets and thus sells on their reputation/brand.
It makes people cough up a lot of money just to get their company logo. Here is an example of that:
although I don't know how many of this watch they sold I should add
View attachment 428907

MCLK12 Clock

Illuminated meters for ease of sight Temperature compensated Quartz movement ----SPLIT---- The McIntosh MCLK12 mantle clock is a celebration of time while being a tribute to classic McIntosh design. Constructed with the signature McIntosh blue watt meters, the MCLK12 demonstrates the same easy...

shop.mcintoshlabs.com

Looks,brand sells. I did a google image (bilder) search. Lots of pages appeared:
View attachment 428908

And that's exactly why you only get a sh*tty screen on their streamer, so you can buy the Clock, the UV meter and all that crap on the side that's also part of their marketing strategy, they almost make some collectibles, which is really the thrill of rich old men, making collections. Always makes me think of Freud, even though his theories are crap, he had a fine sense of humor and was evolving in the upper class viennese society which was full of that sort of people, which he labeled ''anal personalities'', so can't help remind that and smile, McIntosh certainly found and endless hole to fill among the wealthy.

 

[DanielT]

And that's exactly why you only get a sh*tty screen on their streamer, so you can buy the Clock, the UV meter and all that crap on the side that's also part of their marketing strategy, they almost make some collectibles, which is really the thrill of rich old men, making collections. Always makes me think of Freud, even though his theories are crap, he had a fine sense of humor and was evolving in the upper class viennese society which was full of that sort of people, which he labeled ''anal personalities'', so can't help remind that and smile, McIntosh certainly found and endless hole to fill among the wealthy.

Then add the market, the High End, where these audio products are sold. A market filled with hocus pocus and all sorts of witchcraft and blind religious faith (pick any expensive snake oil product). In this market there are potential buyers.
By the way, sure as hell it sounds better if you have a blind religious faith that it will sound better after snake oil stuff X is inserted into the audio chain.

In McIntosh defense,or to clarify. McIntosh don't sell snake oil so there was a bit of OT rant on my part.So no gulit by association. That was not my intention.

 

[BlackSpider777]

I would just stick to their Integrated & power amps. Rest is just for people who want a full Mcintosh unit rack.
Their amps especially with auto formers are lovely.

 

[WisEd]

What do you think? I have to admit that I thought it would cost MORE than it appears to be. I don't really understand the pricing, the differences, but maybe for potential buyers it matters less?

The McIntosh DS2000 Streaming DAC will cost £5890 / $4000 / €5990 (around AU$11,700) and it goes on sale in March.

McIntosh's new DS200 streaming DAC promises audiophile performance with wireless convenience

The best of both worlds?

www.whathifi.com

We'll see what happens, but the brand itself with its inherent reputation will most likely boost sales.

Here a general marketing, sales video about its features.Roon ready for example. Exactly what that means I don't know as I don't use Roon. Just mentioning it for those interested in that feature:

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

The ultimate solution for music enthusiasts who demand the perfect blend of high-end audio quality and seamless streaming capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

If you don't use Roon.....You should! It todies up all your digital files and compatible sources with nice bow and uses the metadata to bring a slew of information on whatever you are listening! It knows what the source component is abd sets it up appropriately to provide the best sound possible, in effect it's like a conductor for all digital music media. If you have a decent laptop with all your digital files, all you need is to download the software and it takes care of the rest. Conversely, you can buy a roon "core", a dedicated music server (it requires the additional expense of a hard drive) to keep and acces your files from. Roon is the secret sauce to centralize, organize, and play all your digital files from whatever source and have them sound their best. My large library of losslesly ripped CD's never sounded as good as it does using Roon.

 

[WisEd]

What do you think? I have to admit that I thought it would cost MORE than it appears to be. I don't really understand the pricing, the differences, but maybe for potential buyers it matters less?

The McIntosh DS2000 Streaming DAC will cost £5890 / $4000 / €5990 (around AU$11,700) and it goes on sale in March.

McIntosh's new DS200 streaming DAC promises audiophile performance with wireless convenience

The best of both worlds?

www.whathifi.com

We'll see what happens, but the brand itself with its inherent reputation will most likely boost sales.

Here a general marketing, sales video about its features.Roon ready for example. Exactly what that means I don't know as I don't use Roon. Just mentioning it for those interested in that feature:

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

The ultimate solution for music enthusiasts who demand the perfect blend of high-end audio quality and seamless streaming capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

I'm mighty tempted. It would be a perfect match for my MC462 and C53. My beloved Cambridge audio 851N is getting long on the tooth. Though they tout their DAC, I wonder what DAC chipset they are actually using so as to better judge the competition. Superb DAC chips are just a few hundred dollars, but I'm sure the analog portion will be McIntosh worthy. What most people don't realize (and complain) about the McIntosh style and esthetics is that it's quite expensive and done in house basically by hand! I saw an interview where they stated that just the chassis signature displays and etched glass comprised up to 20% of the total cost of production! So ii's not only an investment in first rate electronics and sound, it's an investment on the signature look and esthetic. No other brand regardless of price or "prestige" comes even close to McIntosh in resale value. I should know, I just sold one of their AV processors with 3 years of use for 75% of the purchase price! I took that nice "bundle" and bought an Ortofon Verismo cartridge with the proceeds! BTW, best sounding phono cartridge ever made! Truly amazing!

 

[josephjrose]

I heard one for the first time. Astounding! I wound up ordering one. Should be in today.

 

[BlackSpider777]

I heard one for the first time. Astounding! I would up ordering one. Should be in today.

Interesting, which stereo amp you will be using with it? Is it a Mcintosh stereo amp?

 

[josephjrose]

Interesting, which stereo amp you will be using with it? Is it a Mcintosh stereo amp?

Yes. McIntosh MA252 integrated tube/ss.
DS200 is Replacing my Eversolo DMP-A6 and Schiit BiFrost 2, which I sold to help pay half the cost.

 

[whereisbrian]

The next projects: Mcintosh vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers and microwave ovens
of course with the famous blue logo.

 

[josephjrose]

The next projects: Mcintosh vacuum cleaners, washing machines, dishwashers and microwave ovens
of course with the famous blue logo.

I know you're probably not looking for a serious audiophile conversation, but ... huh?

 

[AdrianusG]

What do you think? I have to admit that I thought it would cost MORE than it appears to be. I don't really understand the pricing, the differences, but maybe for potential buyers it matters less?

The McIntosh DS2000 Streaming DAC will cost £5890 / $4000 / €5990 (around AU$11,700) and it goes on sale in March.

McIntosh's new DS200 streaming DAC promises audiophile performance with wireless convenience

The best of both worlds?

www.whathifi.com

We'll see what happens, but the brand itself with its inherent reputation will most likely boost sales.

Here a general marketing, sales video about its features.Roon ready for example. Exactly what that means I don't know as I don't use Roon. Just mentioning it for those interested in that feature:

McIntosh DS200 Streaming DAC

The ultimate solution for music enthusiasts who demand the perfect blend of high-end audio quality and seamless streaming capabilities.

www.mcintoshlabs.com

Not that i'm interested, but.... we Europeans have to pay almost 2000 Dollars/Euro's more than Us citizens? WTF