Mb50

[eljr]

I was pretty excited about finding the MB50 on the McIntosh site as it fits my needs perfect but have read so many bad things about it.

Has anything changed?

I got stuck with one of the bad MCD201's when they had the terrible problems I don't want to go through something like that again.

What are people moving to instead?

[JBT]

Every review I've read the MB50 is a great sounding streamer. BUT it uses DTS Play-Fi which is very flawed. Mcintosh might be using something else now, but I'd think twice and ask your dealer before buying


https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-...-design-flaws/

[eljr]

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/row/en/products/851/851n
(I like this one because it accepts USB from a laptop which could serve as a backup if wireless is difficult)

thoughts on these?

https://nadelectronics.com/product/c...streaming-dac/

Suggestions.

[JBT]

Cambridge Audio is a good company but I'm not familiar with that streamer. NAD on the other hand has a good reputation for building great sounding equipment that's affordable. After a quick glance the C 658 gets great reviews an that's to be expected because of Nad's reputation

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by JBT

Every review I've read the MB50 is a great sounding streamer. BUT it uses DTS Play-Fi which is very flawed. Mcintosh might be using something else now, but I'd think twice and ask your dealer before buying


https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/bits-...-design-flaws/

Had one. Sold it.

[JBT]

Originally Posted by eljr

https://www.cambridgeaudio.com/row/en/products/851/851n
(I like this one because it accepts USB from a laptop which could serve as a backup if wireless is difficult)

thoughts on these?

https://nadelectronics.com/product/c...streaming-dac/

Suggestions.

https://stereo-magazine.com/review/nad-c-658-review



https://www.soundstagesimplifi.com/i...-streaming-dac

[jayvis1]

It probably depends on how you plan to use the MB50. If you are mainly going to use it to stream music from one of the many streaming services like Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz, you won't find much of anything that is better. The WiFi capability is stellar and it sounds better than any other streamer I've tried in my all McIntosh system, and I've tried quite a few. I've never tried to use it to stream any stored music files, so I can't comment on the Play-Fi app.

[JBT]

Even the negative reviews I've read say it's a fantastic sounding streamer. That's Mcintosh! it's the DTS Play-Fi that people don't like and that's not Mcintosh

[eljr]

Originally Posted by jayvis1

It probably depends on how you plan to use the MB50. If you are mainly going to use it to stream music from one of the many streaming services like Spotify, Tidal or Qobuz, you won't find much of anything that is better. The WiFi capability is stellar and it sounds better than any other streamer I've tried in my all McIntosh system, and I've tried quite a few. I've never tried to use it to stream any stored music files, so I can't comment on the Play-Fi app.

If I want to stream Spotify do I need to use the Play-Fi app or will the mb50 appear in the Spotify app as does Alexa, Google and Yamaha streamers?

and it has no drop outs while doing this??????????????????????????????????????????

[jayvis1]

Originally Posted by eljr

If I want to stream Spotify do I need to use the Play-Fi app or will the mb50 appear in the Spotify app as does Alexa, Google and Yamaha streamers?

and it has no drop outs while doing this??????????????????????????????????????????

Yes, the MB50 will show as a device in the streaming service (Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz) apps that you subscribe to. The Play-Fi app will be used for your stored music files only. Spotify Premium has worked perfectly without any dropouts using Wi-Fi. I've had a few dropouts using Tidal and Qobuz through Wi-Fi. Using an ethernet connection between the MB50 and my router fixed that. I've been extremely happy with the MB50 in that regard. Again, I've never used the Play-Fi app to play any stored files but others have told me it's not that bad as long as you aren't super fussy about music file app interface. The demo I heard at a McIntosh dealer using both streaming services and stored hi-res files sold me on the MB50. It sounds fantastic in a McIntosh system.