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The McIntosh MCD85 is a premium player that’ll make your CDs shine

It’s got knobs on

Craig Grannell

Want to prove your love for CDs to the entire world? Shove them into a McIntosh MCD85 (£4,995; available March). Designed to work alongside the MC830 Solid State Amplifier and C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, the hand-built MCD85 has a metal frame, mirror finish and chunky knobs that make you think of classic radios. Or an oven. A really premium oven. Either way, we want one. In fact, we want one even more on digging into the specs. This SACD/CD player has a 2× read speed and buffer memory for error correction and tracking, and handling is said to be smooth and quiet. A twin-laser optical pick-up ensures optimum playback regardless of shiny disc type. And around back are inputs, including optical, coaxial and USB, so you can plug in all manner of devices. The internal DAC makes short work of converting anything up to DSD256 and DXD 384 kHz high-res audio into audio bliss for your ears – even when listening to Phil Collins.

Profile image of Craig Grannell Craig Grannell Contributor

About

I’m a regular contributor to Stuff magazine and Stuff.tv, covering apps, games, Apple kit, Android, Lego, retro gaming and other interesting oddities. I also pen opinion pieces when the editor lets me, getting all serious about accessibility and predicting when sentient AI smart cookware will take over the world, in a terrifying mix of Bake Off and Terminator.

Areas of expertise

Mobile apps and games, Macs, iOS and tvOS devices, Android, retro games, crowdfunding, design, how to fight off an enraged smart saucepan with a massive stick.