The Magnat MCD 1050 is a highly precise and clear CD player featuring a vacuum tube output stage. It delivers exceptional signal reading accuracy and high resolution for digital audio sources. The CD drive ensures accurate reading and decoding of data from optical media, while also supporting digital audio inputs for high-resolution data up to 192 kHz / 24 bit. Users can connect digital optical, coaxial, and USB sources to the MCD 1050, benefiting from its advanced A/D converter section. Furthermore, the Magnat MCD 1050 includes switchable upsampling to 192 kHz / 24 bit for both CD and digital inputs.
The device features a robust chassis and a minimalist front panel crafted from a solid 8-mm aluminum plate. The substantial metal remote control is not only durable but also highly functional, allowing volume adjustments on the integrated telephone amplifier. Developed by a German team, the reading mechanism incorporates a high-quality Japanese Sanyo laser head.
The power supply utilizes a transformer with an efficient R-shaped core and includes multiple isolated stages. High-precision Burr-Brown PCM 1796 converters handle the digital-to-analog conversion. The output stage primarily employs vacuum tubes, with a pair of dual ECC82 triodes configured in a dual mono arrangement for final analog signal amplification and output line matching. Additionally, the inclusion of digital coaxial and optical outputs enables the MCD-1050 to function as a transport for an external DAC or in conjunction with a digital recorder.
The Magnat MCD 1050 delivers a vibrant, expressive, and candid sound. We would assign it a rating of four plus for absolute dynamics, as the analog path appears to slightly compress during intense dynamic contrasts. In these instances, the MCD-1050 offers a more pleasant sound compared to its semiconductor rivals, while still maintaining clarity in playback. Among its notable strengths is its exceptional harmonic resolution across the entire frequency range, which results in outstanding instrument clarity. Furthermore, the device effectively captures both the initial attack and the decay of sounds. This player is among the select few components that impress listeners with its qualities right from the first few minutes of listening. Its benefits are clear.
Magnat MCD 1050 Specifications
- Frequency range, Hz-kHz 5 – 20
- S/N ratio, dB 109
- Harmonic distortion factor, % 0.0012
- Output impedance 10 Ohm
- Output voltage 2.0 V
- Channel separation, dB 106
- Audio DAC Burr-Brown 24-bit/192 kHz
- Playable discs CD-DA, CD-R, CD-RW, HDCD
- Tube equipment 2 x ECC88
- Inputs: Coaxial 1 x S/PDIF (RCA), Optical 1 x Toslink, USB 1 x USB type B
- Outputs: Coaxial 1 x S/PDIF (RCA), Optical 1 x Toslink, Analog audio 1 x RCA, Headphones 1 x 6.3 mm
- Dimensions, mm 434 x 90 x 330
- Weight, kg 7.5
