CES 2015: McIntosh unveils DSD- and DXD-compatible D150 digital preamp

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CES is never complete without a chance to catch the latest from McIntosh Laboratory, with this year's show bringing us the company's new D150 digital preamp/DAC – complete with high-resolution audio support.

The £3,495 preamp comes with five digital inputs – two coaxial, two optical and USB – and balanced and unbalanced connections for variable and fixed volume audio outputs.

With its USB input, the D150 can support up to 32-bit/384kHz signals and supports DSD64, DSD128, DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz, while the other inputs support formats up to 24-bit/192kHz.

MORE: High-resolution audio – everything you need to know

A DIN input also lets you connect the D150 to selected McIntosh SACD, CD transports and players; a built-in headphone amp, meanwhile, is intended to complement the new MHP1000 headphones.

Under the cover, you'll find the same DAC as the D100 – launched at CES 2013 – and eight-channel 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analogue converter used in stereo Quad Balanced mode.

The D150 has been designed to act as "the high-performance hub of an all-digital set-up" and stands just 10cm tall. It's due to go on sale here in the UK towards the end of the month [January].

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Pete Hayman

Pete was content editor on What Hi-Fi?, overseeing production and publication of digital content. In creating and curating feature articles for web and print consumption, he provided digital and editorial expertise and support to help reposition What Hi-Fi? as a ‘digital-first’ title; reflecting the contemporary media trends. He is now a senior content strategist.