MCINTOSH BLUETOOTH TRANSCEIVER

McIntosh has released a Bluetooth transceiver, MB20, which can be used to add a wireless streaming capability to any existing audio system and is one of the few devices of its type that has balanced inputs and outputs in addition to unbalanced. It also has both coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs.

As a transceiver, the MB20 can function as either a Bluetooth Receiver or Transmitter (but not both at the same time). Simply set the switch on the back panel to the proper setting for the desired Receiver or Transmitter usage.

Although it is a transceiver, so it can be used to transmit and receive Bluetooth signals, it cannot do both simultaneously. When used in its receiver mode, you can stream audio to the MB20 via Bluetooth from any compatible device with Bluetooth streaming capabilities and send this audio on to your amplifier.

When switched to its transmitter mode, any audio signals you connect to the MB20’s analogue or digital inputs will

be sent wirelessly via Bluetooth to any Bluetooth-capable devices, such as Bluetooth headphones or wireless Bluetooth speakers.

“If you have more than one audio system in your home, neither of which have a wireless capability, you can add an MB20

to each system with one set as a transmitter mode and the other as a receiver, and stream music from one system to the other,” said Philip Sawyer, of Synergy Audio Visual, which distributes McIntosh in Australia. “Or if you need a high-performance audio link from one part of your house to another and running cables is not possible, two MB20s will create a full wireless encode/decode bridge.”

The McIntosh MB20 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and supports aptXHD, aptXLL and AAC. In its receiver mode the MB20 makes use of a 32-bit/192kHz DAC for optimum sound quality but the MB20’s digital output is fixed at 96kHz. Despite the onboard devices the MB20 cannot be used as a stand-alone DAC. It’s a Class 1 Bluetooth device, so that under ideal conditions it has a range ten times greater than Class 2 devices, enabling operation over distances up to 45 metres.

With a footprint not much larger than a smartphone, the MB20 has a typically McIntosh finish (a black, custom aluminium chassis with a black glass top panel) and is powered via a wall-mount plugpack. Available now, the McIntosh MB20 Bluetooth Transceiver sells for $995 (RRP).

For more information, contact Synergy AV on (03) 9459 7474 or at www. synergyaudio.com