McIntosh MS500 Music Streamer

Your Digital Music Library, the McIntosh Way

The McIntosh MS500 Music Streamer was designed to bring locally stored digital music and internet-based streaming together in one dedicated high-performance audio component.

With an internal 500GB solid-state drive, support for high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, integrated digital-to-analog conversion and extensive system connectivity, the MS500 can serve as the central music source for a McIntosh system.

Rather than relying on a computer sitting beside your audio system, the MS500 provides a purpose-built platform for organizing, storing and playing a digital music collection through your HiFi system.

500GB of Solid-State Music Storage

At the heart of the MS500 is an internal 500GB solid-state drive (SSD).

The SSD provides local storage for your digital music library without the mechanical noise associated with a traditional spinning hard drive.

That matters in a dedicated audio component.

McIntosh also designed the MS500 around a fanless processor and passive ventilation, eliminating another common source of mechanical noise.

The result is an exceptionally quiet platform designed specifically for the listening room.

High-Resolution Digital Audio

The MS500 supports uncompressed and lossless digital music files at resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz.

That allows high-resolution downloads and carefully ripped music libraries to be stored and played alongside conventional digital music.

For someone with a substantial collection of digital files, the MS500 provides a dedicated way to access that library without depending on a general-purpose computer as the primary music source.

Bring Your Music Together

The MS500 was built around the idea of consolidating digital music into one system.

In addition to its internal SSD, three USB ports allow compatible external mass-storage devices and flash drives to be connected.

The MS500 can also synchronize compatible music stored on networked computers, making those files available through the system without manually moving music every time your library changes.

That makes the MS500 particularly useful for someone with an established digital music collection spread across computers, storage devices and network locations.

Built-In McIntosh DAC

The MS500 isn't simply a storage server.

It includes its own high-quality digital-to-analog converter, allowing it to connect directly to the analog inputs of a preamplifier or integrated amplifier.

McIntosh physically isolates the DAC circuitry from the MS500's motherboard to help prevent unwanted electrical interference from affecting the analog audio signal.

Both balanced and unbalanced analog outputs are provided, giving the MS500 the flexibility to integrate with a wide variety of high-end systems.

Use an External DAC

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The MS500 also provides digital output capability, allowing its music-management and storage functions to be used with an external digital-to-analog converter.

A compatible external USB DAC can also be connected through one of the MS500's USB ports.

This gives owners the ability to use the MS500 primarily as a digital music server while letting another component handle the final digital-to-analog conversion.

Multi-Zone Possibilities

With a compatible external USB DAC connected, the MS500 can support an additional independent audio zone.

That expands its usefulness beyond a single listening position and makes the MS500 particularly interesting in larger McIntosh installations where access to a centralized music library is desired in more than one location.

Multiple Ways to Control Your Music

McIntosh designed the MS500 to be operated without requiring constant interaction with the component itself.

Control options include the included handheld remote, compatible mobile devices through the MediaBridge control platform, and network-based control.

Its Linux-based operating system was selected to provide a stable and responsive foundation for music playback and library management.

The MS500 is also compatible with a variety of home automation systems, allowing it to become part of a more extensively integrated audio installation.

Designed for a McIntosh System

Visually, there's no mistaking where the MS500 belongs.

The classic black-glass front panel, illuminated McIntosh logo and aluminum end caps allow it to sit naturally alongside McIntosh preamplifiers, integrated amplifiers and other electronics.

Instead of placing a computer or generic network device in the middle of a carefully designed McIntosh system, the MS500 gives digital music a dedicated component that looks like it belongs there.

A Note About Streaming Services

The MS500 was originally designed with integrated access to numerous third-party internet music services.

Because the MS500 is a legacy streaming platform and third-party streaming services, applications and compatibility can change over time, current service availability should be confirmed before purchasing if a particular streaming platform is important to you.

For customers primarily interested in today's latest streaming ecosystem, we recommend speaking with The Grid about the current McIntosh streaming options.

For customers with an established locally stored digital music library, however, the MS500's combination of internal SSD storage, network music management and high-resolution playback remains the more important part of its design.

The Grid's Take on the McIntosh MS500

The MS500 is different from something like the current DS200 Streaming DAC.

The DS200 is primarily about accessing today's streaming services as easily as possible. The MS500 was designed around a broader music-server concept: store your own music, organize it, access music across your network and play everything from a dedicated component built specifically for an audio system.

That distinction matters.

If you're looking at an MS500 because you have a large digital music collection, the 500GB SSD, 24-bit/192kHz support, network synchronization, USB storage support and ability to use either its internal DAC or an external DAC are the features we'd concentrate on.

If you're buying primarily for Spotify, TIDAL or another current streaming service, talk to us first. We can confirm the current compatibility or help determine whether a newer McIntosh streaming solution makes more sense for your system.

At The Grid HiFi & Home Theater, we can help integrate the MS500 into an existing McIntosh system and determine the best way to connect your digital library, DAC and amplification.