Design A New McIntosh Product

[Stillone]

A MS-750 replacement with MCD-500 quality DAC's and balanced outputs. A matching quality looking touchscreen along the lines of the Sooloos unit to control this unit. The unit should also offer bit for bit copying of CD's, not just lossless compression. The ability to handle higher resolution downloads that are now just beginning to be offered.

 

[Negotiableterms]

A MS-750 replacement with MCD-500 quality DAC's and balanced outputs. A matching quality looking touchscreen along the lines of the Sooloos unit to control this unit. The unit should also offer bit for bit copying of CD's, not just lossless compression. The ability to handle higher resolution downloads that are now just beginning to be offered.

I like all of that, but the main thing I'd like to see is storage alternatives. The operating system should be on built-in CMOS (128GB?), and the owner should be able to choose between Mc supplied (proprietary) drives to fill three slots.

Cheap: one terabyte hard drive
Add two more if you want to spend more

Expensive: terrabyte (or later 2 TB) SSDs... silent and reliable, but uber costly
Add two more if you're Ivan.

If you spend up, you get a completely silent unit with huge capacity. Count me in!

 

[dolstein]

How about a new McIntosh two channel preamp with internal dual quad DACs, capable of SACD/CD decoding. This would provide a direct path to leading edge digital performance for so many existing SACD and CD players using older, single DAC decoders that still have excellent transports (call it C600).

At the same time, introduce a new premium McIntosh transport capable of SACD/CD digital output (call it MCD2000), and mate it to a new, revamped dual Quad DAC SACD/CD decoder (call it MDA2000)

I'll second the MCD2000/MDA2000 idea.

Instead of a C600, I'd propose an MDA500. A stereo DAC (at least 4 digital inputs) with a twist: built-in digital domain room correction software and parametric equalizer. Add a variable output, so it can function as a preamplifier in an all-digital system. Add an analog input and analog-to-digital converter so it can be used to provide outboard processing/equalization in an analog system.

 

[mrz80]

Hmmm...
* A receiver with a mere-mortal-accessible price tag - I know, anathema to true audiophiles who swear by (or at ) their separates, but I'm thinking "entre for a slightly wider audience to get them hooked on sound and build quality, preferably at the expense of the Japanese" Hmm... just reintroduce the 4100 and we're cool.

* A retro/commemorative FM tuner from some point or other in the storied past for people to hook up to their Frank McIntosh commemorative C22s and Gordon Gow 275s

* Titanium amp chassis to rein in the weight so Ivan doesn't hurt himself next time he upgrades

* The Book in paperback, with a lower price tag? $150 is just too much, no matter how badly I want one on my coffee table!

 

[KentTeffeteller]

Hi ron-c and all,

I want a new MAC 4100 reissue too. Add remote control and keep the tuner analog and all is bliss.

I want the MC 250 revived as an entry level Mc power amplifier.

How about reviving some less expensive industrial versions of some of the better older amps? These fill a need for studio use, broadcast monitor amplifiers, and other industrial functions and are a less expensive option for home use. You could revive the MI line for these amplifiers. Make all MI line amplifiers and preamplifiers rack mountable without adapters.

 

[Doug Olitsky]

How about a low powered SET type amp 300b, 2A3...

 

[dolstein]

I wouldn't mind a version of the MC275 with the cosmetics of the MC2102.

 

[Grey.Coupe]

Interesting.

I think the substance of the current lineup is pretty good. My response to the initial post was, "Gee, I would like to put the Apple design group together with the Mc people and have them design evolved exteriors for the gear."

Directly evolutionary from the original designs, just smoother, simpler, with a bit attention to more ergonomic and intuitive layouts of controls and stuff. I recognize this is heresy, and there is much I like about the current [somewhat rigid] adherence to the Mc design traditions. But nothing stays the same. The guts of Mc equipment have gotten radically better over the years, and they run cooler and last longer.

The outside could evolve a bit without losing the instantly recognizable Mc design cues, black glass, blue meters, etc.

 

[rcarlton]

More efficient speakers so we don't have to use 1000 Watt amplifiers. Need to be eco friendly and take up a small carbon footprint.

 

[MacStereo]

(call it MCD2000), and mate it to a new, revamped dual Quad DAC SACD/CD decoder (call it MDA2000)

Yes. I cast my vote here as well.

I think the MCD500 should have been an elevated offering to the MCD1000 [in its numbering and having the same McIntosh name cut-out in the top of the chasis to match the elite components] with the expectation that a matching MDA upgrade would soon follow.

I don't doubt that the MCD500 is everything one could hope for in performance, but chasis appearance at this level needs to be consistent. The C1000 series preamps, the MCD1000, and the MDA1000 possess the gorgeous chasis. They have set the visual bar which needs to be matched for aesthetic consistency.

 

[Vintage Pete]

I know your all probably going to think I am nuts here, .... but here goes.

Years ago I used to have a equalizer, with a spectrum analyzer display. That was a great toy, to experiment with. I used to have it hooked up between the record in and out connection and would use it to tweak the sound.

I think a McIntosh equalizer, and spectrum analyzer, with black glass, blue LED's showing the level settings for each band, and a blue display for the analyzer would be really cool.

I don't think this is nuts at all. Mac has been needing to give us a real "component" equalizer for years.

Pete

 

[jdandy]

I don't think this is nuts at all. Mac has been needing to give us a real "component" equalizer for years.

Pete

The more I think about it, the better I like the idea of a McIntosh EQ. In my vision, it would be a black glass beauty, with 20 bands per channel equalization. It will have balanced and unbalanced analog inputs and outputs. All frequency processing will be done in the digital domain using the new dual quad DACs. It would include a realtime spectrum analyzer with microphone input, plus blue flourescent dual channel display of all frequencies, and would include a calibrated full frequency microphone. I would call it the MEQ2000.

 

[Vintage Pete]

The more I think about it, the better I like the idea of a McIntosh EQ. In my vision, it would be a black glass beauty, with 20 bands per channel equalization. It will have balanced and unbalanced analog inputs and outputs. All frequency processing will be done in the digital domain using the new dual quad DACs. It would include a realtime spectrum analyzer with microphone input, plus blue flourescent dual channel display of all frequencies, and would include a calibrated full frequency microphone. I would call it the MEQ2000.

Dan,

These are all great thoughts. One can only imagine Mac could come up with here if they would just sit down and do it. As they should.

Pete

 

[jdandy]

Dan,

These are all great thoughts. One can only imagine Mac could come up with here if they would just sit down and do it. As they should.

Pete

Ron-c has been in and out of this thread. This is a great way to make suggestions directly to the folks that count. One never knows what may become of our ideas.

 

[Vintage Pete]

Ron-c has been in and out of this thread. This is a great way to make suggestions directly to the folks that count. One never knows what may become of our ideas.

Dan,

I certainly do hope Ron-C "has his ears on" with this idea. I do have one caveat on your suggestion concerning the frequency processing being done in the digital domain. All the new DAC technology is wonderful but....are you saying the unit would only accept digital sources and/or double as a DAC? I may be missing something here, maybe your thinking is ahead of mine. I'm thinking the unit would have to process in the analog domain (i.e. could be connected in a monitor or processor loop). I say that because the unit MUST benefit all of our sources, analog or digital. (FM Tuner signals, TV audio outputs, tape recorders, etc).

Pete

 

[jdandy]

Pete.....The EQ would have analog inputs and outputs. The analog input would be converted to digital internally, where all adjustments would take place in the digital domain, then would be converted back to analog for output through your system's processor or tape loop.

I have a professional EQ in my studio , a Presonus DEQ-624. It is a digital stereo graphic equalizer plus dynamic processor that uses 24-Bit digital signal processing. It has dual 31 band equalizers centered in 1/3 octave increments from 20Hz to 20KHz. It has four user-programmable presets that allow four seperate EQ settings to be recalled, or set to manual with a touch of a button, as well as bypass The DEQ-624 also has a built in expander, and limiter with a full range of adjustments and bypass. This is an amazing piece of equipment. McIntosh could certainly take a peek under the cover of the DEQ-624 for some great ideas.

 

[Vintage Pete]

McIntosh Equalizer, Analyzer

Pete.....The EQ would have analog inputs and outputs. The analog input would be converted to digital internally, where all adjustments would take place in the digital domain, then would be converted back to analog for output through your system's processor or tape loop.

I have a professional EQ in my studio , a Presonus DEQ-624. It is a digital stereo graphic equalizer plus dynamic processor that uses 24-Bit digital signal processing. It has dual 31 band equalizers centered in 1/3 octave increments from 20Hz to 20KHz. It has four user-programmable presets that allow four seperate EQ settings to be recalled, or set to manual with a touch of a button, as well as bypass The DEQ-624 also has a built in expander, and limiter with a full range of adjustments and bypass. This is an amazing piece of equipment. McIntosh could certainly take a peek under the cover of the DEQ-624 for some great ideas.

Okay Dan,

That clears it up...it did occur to me that you meant to convert from Analog to Digital and then back again...but I couldn't be sure.

It's tantalizing that Mac includes nice eq's on the C40, C42, C46, etc (though they left out the needed 10K control on some! ity. So, you KNOW they could do it if they wanted to!!!!! :yes: And what beauty I'm sure it would be, if done with the full treatment-black glass, LED lighting, the works!

I'm not quite sure how they would squeeze 20 or more bands per channel into it, and still stay within the 17-1/2" panel width....heck, I'd even be happy with 10 bands per channel, in the analog domain with rotary knobs ala C40, C42, etc. And, the Analyzer wouldn't HAVE to be built in...it could be a separate component.

Lots of food for thought here, Ron.........

Ron? Ron? Can you hear us, Ron?

Pete

 

[jdandy]

I'm not quite sure how they would squeeze 20 or more bands per channel into it, and still stay within the 17-1/2" panel width....heck, I'd even be happy with 10 bands per channel, in the analog domain with rotary knobs ala C40, C42, etc. And, the Analyzer wouldn't HAVE to be built in...it could be a separate component.

Lots of food for thought here, Ron.........

Pete

Here's a couple shots of the Presonus DEQ-624. If Presonus can squeeze 31 bands x 2 plus a limiter and expander into a rack mountable piece, McIntosh can do 20 bands x 2 easy. And Mac wouldn't be limitied to trying to use as few rack spaces as possible. The height could be what ever was necessary.

 

[masterlu]

Looks pretty Serious over there Dan...

 

[Vintage Pete]

Here's a couple shots of the Presonus DEQ-624. If Presonus can squeeze 31 bands x 2 plus a limiter and expander into a rack mountable piece, McIntosh can do 20 bands x 2 easy. And Mac wouldn't be limitied to trying to use as few rack spaces as possible. The height could be what ever was necessary.

Whew! Whew! WHEW!! I was going to ask if you'd post some pics...I've been getting pretty curious about your studio.

Uhm, that does it! I'll have to make the trip to North Florida one day! :yes:

Pete

P.S. You and I need to do some R-R talk one day too. Having some troubles with my Crown from non-use. Back to the topic-you're right, Mac can go as tall as they like with the eq front panel.