McIntosh Adds To Its Line Of High-Performance SACD/CD Players With New Flagship Model

— Ultimate Playback Luxury and Higher Resolution Audio Performance, with Selectable Digital Inputs for Expandability and Flexibility —

Denver, CO, September 4, 2008 — McIntosh Laboratory, a world leader in home entertainment systems for nearly 60 years, recently announced the introduction of its new flagship Model MCD500 SACD/CD Player (US and Canada SRP: $6,500), a high-performance luxury source component that leads the company’s lineup of advanced SACD/CD players, providing users with the ultimate level of playback perfection from today’s higher resolution SACD digital audio discs. The flagship MCD500 joins McIntosh’s no-compromise MCD201 SACD/CD player and high-performance MCD301 in the company’s line of advanced solutions for disc playback. With a host of today’s most advanced technologies, build materials and engineering characteristics, the MCD500 delivers an unprecedented level of musical purity and the finest in audio enjoyment. The MCD500 is now available at McIntosh authorized dealers.

Like all McIntosh products, the MCD500 was handcrafted with pride in the United States by dedicated, highly trained craftspeople. It combines exceptional sound quality and flexibility with a unique parallel DAC topology that features four 24-Bit, 192 KHz PCM/DSD digital to analog converters per channel arranged in a differential balanced configuration. The data accuracy resulting from this approach allows a more faithful reproduction of the analog waveform for very low noise and distortion with the kind of transparency associated with a live musical performance. Additionally, all internal clocks are generated by a phase-locked loop generator for stable, low jitter operation.

Selectable Digital Inputs for External Sources
Notably, the sonic benefits of the MCD500 are not limited to internal CD and SACD playback. Two selectable digital inputs are provided for use with external digital sources like the MS750 Music Server. As such, the MCD500 has the potential to improve the sound of any 2-Channel digital music source. Both Coaxial and Optical Digital Inputs are also included for use with the internal Digital to Analog Processor Circuitry to Decode PCM Signals from an external source.

Newly Designed Transport
The MCD500 features a newly designed transport with a Die Cast Mechanism Base and a wrap-around chassis with a steel top cover to dampen resonance for silent operation, as well as with the latest in advanced digital servo for faster, quieter and accurate operation. The die-cast disc tray runs silently on a single steel bearing providing an opulent look and feel to the operation of the player. A premium linear power supply features an R-Core transformer and nested regulation. The MCD500 analog stages employ a differential balanced topology for wide dynamic range and the best possible fidelity. Both fixed and variable outputs are supported and a dedicated high-performance headphone amplifier with ¼” jack is provided. The SACD and CD Audio Data is read into memory from the disc at twice the normal rate. The fast read speeds help to insure better disc tracking and error correction processing.

For total listening convenience, with headphones connected to the MCD500, the Level Control allows varying the volume level of the music. It can also be used for matching the volume level of the MCD500 with other components in the system. The Multi-Function Front Panel Display indicates the current disc playback status, digital input status and the variable audio output volume level.

The MCD500’s Variable Output Connections provide up to 6 Volts. This is more than enough signal to drive any Power Amplifier directly, forming a high quality SACD/CD Disc Playback System. And because the MCD500 has both variable and fixed Balanced Outputs, users may employ long cable lengths without a loss in sound quality.

Unmatched McIntosh Style and Design
Cosmetically, the MCD500 is unmatched for style, design and sheer luxury. Its sides of the MCD500 are extruded aluminum panels with a bead blast textured surface and a black anodized finish. In the recessed area of the Top Panel is a screened glass panel with a block diagram of the MCD500 Circuitry. The Illumination of the Glass Front Panel is accomplished by the combination of custom designed Fiber Optic Light Diffusers and extra long life Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). This provides even Front Panel Illumination and is designed to ensure the pristine beauty of the MCD500 will be retained for many years.

The MCD500’s advanced Remote Control provides complete control of the MCD500 operating functions including adjustment of the volume level. The push-buttons on the Remote Control are illuminated.

About McIntosh Laboratory
In an era where the rate of change is as amazing as the changes themselves, McIntosh is all the more remarkable. For almost 60 years, the McIntosh brand continues to represent high performance, superlative engineering and limitless pride of ownership. State-of-the-art technology infused with hand craftsmanship and the details McIntosh is famous for continue to be the key values found in every piece of equipment. Products built to last for decades of flawless performance demand nothing less than an equal level of commitment to customer support and service as well. Its no wonder satisfied customers the world over view their McIntosh products as investments worthy of being passed down through generations. McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. is a D&M Holdings company.

About D&M Holdings Inc.
D&M Holdings Inc. is a global operating company providing worldwide management and distribution platforms for premium consumer, automotive, commercial and professional audio and video businesses including Denon®, Marantz®, McIntosh® Laboratory, Boston Acoustics®, Snell Acoustics, Escientâ, Calrec Audio, Denon DJ, Allen & Heath, D&M Professional and D&M Premium Sound Solutions. Our technologies improve the quality of any audio and visual experience. All product and brand names with a trademark symbol are trademarks or registered trademarks of D&M Holdings, Inc. or its subsidiaries. For more information visit www.dm-holdings.com.

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DISCLAIMER
Statements in this news release that are not statements of historical fact include forward looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. We wish to caution you that such statements are just predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding competitive and industry conditions, market acceptance for the company’s products, risks of litigation, technological changes, developing industry standards and other factors related to the company’s businesses. The Company reserves all of its rights.
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