MB50 Experience

[jayvis]

Originally Posted by rushca01

Jayvis, does the mb50 go through Play-Fi to get to tidal or does it interface with tidal directly?

After the MB50 is set up with the Play-Fi app, it interfaces directly to all of the supported streaming services. Just open your existing Tidal app and the MB50 will be an available device.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by jayvis

After the MB50 is set up with the Play-Fi app, it interfaces directly to all of the supported streaming services. Just open your existing Tidal app and the MB50 will be an available device.

It only streams the cd qualilty and not the Hi Res correct? Thinking about just going with this unit over the Node2 and Oppo Sonica.

Does the MB50 act as a preamp as well?

[jayvis]

It will stream Hi Res files up to 24-Bit 192kHz. Yes, it can function as a preamp.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by jayvis

It will stream Hi Res files up to 24-Bit 192kHz. Yes, it can function as a preamp.

Have you done an A/B connected to your c47 and connected directly to your amp?

[jayvis]

Originally Posted by rushca01

Have you done an A/B connected to your c47 and connected directly to your amp?

No, I haven't connected directly to my amp and really don't expect to unless my C47 goes down for some reason. The Hi-Fi World review available on the McIntosh web site had the MB50 connected directly to a MC152 power amp. Read it if you haven't already. I've listened to Spotify Premium and found the MB50 to sound better than any other streaming device I've tried with that service. I think the combination of the Cirrus Logic DAC and McIntosh wizardry does some magic with lower resolution as well as hi-res digital music. My ears find it hard to distinguish much advantage of Tidal over Spotify Premium when run through the MB50. It maintains a fantastic Wi-Fi connection to my network and reveals little difference from the wired connection that I'm now using. You can spend less money on a number of good streamers that have a few more features, but the MB50 just seems to do everything it's supposed to do very, very well. For my digital music needs and my system, it is a perfect fit so far. The available reviews don't lie.