MTI100 Integrated Turntable Review

[JBT]

Conclusion

From all of this listening some common themes emerged. As noted, the MTI100 could sound a bit harsh when driven hard, but that’s not the quality that stood out for me. Throughout the review period, I was wowed by the MTI100’s transparency and big, spacious sound -- it made listening to music an event. I also admired how McIntosh has conceived and executed this product. I can’t imagine easier setup.

I have a couple of suggestions for prospective purchasers. While it’s easy and convenient to stream from a mobile phone via Bluetooth, people who use streaming services heavily, or have large collections of downloaded and ripped music files, should consider adding an outboard streamer. A power-cord upgrade would also be worth the investment.

As happens far too often these days, the announcement of the MTI100 in January brought out the trolls on Internet forums. The more informed commenters opined that buyers could get better sound from a separate amp, turntable, and cartridge. These people may have a point, but they’re also missing one. The MTI100 isn’t aimed at hardcore audiophiles, but at listeners who want a simple, stylish way to enjoy music in a real-world listening space. At that, the MTI100 succeeds in spades.

To me, such comments betray a failure of imagination -- an inability to conceive that other people’s tastes and priorities might differ from one’s own. McIntosh Laboratory’s MTI100 is an audio component, but it’s also a piece of industrial art. People will want it for what it is as much as for what it does. If you’re one of these people, but want to know if the MTI100 can also deliver the sonic goods before you hand over that plastic, I have the answer: Yes, it can. Go for it.





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