MDA1000

About the MDA1000

The McIntosh MDA1000 is a premium digital-to-analog converter designed to pair with the MCD1000 CD transport. It features eight 24-bit Burr-Brown DAC chips in a balanced/parallel configuration, upsampling all incoming digital signals to 768kHz/24-bit for enhanced resolution, S/N ratio, and smoother analog output. Supporting sampling frequencies from 32kHz to 96kHz, it offers seven digital inputs (3 coaxial RCA, 3 optical TOSLINK, 1 balanced AES/EBU XLR) and provides both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA analog outputs with switchable fixed (2V) or variable (0-6V RMS) levels, including front-panel volume control with bypass. Notable for its exceptional build quality with machined aluminum panels, gold-plated jacks, and fully balanced analog output stage using 1% metal-film resistors and 5% polyfilm capacitors. Manufactured from 2004 to 2012, it received high praise including Stereophile Class A recommendation.