McIntosh Joins Blu-ray Game with MVP881BR Universal Player

McIntosh has announced several new products, none more anticipated than its MVP881BR Universal Audio/Video Player.

While it doesn't have a price yet, McIntosh is scheduled to release the player in October.

As a universal player, it also supports audiophile formats SACD and DVD-Audio, as well as CD and DVD. And, as far as we know, that makes it the third such player available, following Denon’s DVD-A1UDCi ($3,800) and Oppo’s BDP-83 player ($499).

With McIntosh’s cache and luxury high-performance history, we’re guessing the price will be more like (and more than) Denon’s than Oppo’s. The MVP881BR also features:

• BD-Live Profile 2.0 support
• On-board audio decoders for DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD
• Multichannel analog outputs
• Custom linear power supply
• Fully balanced 2-channel audio design
• 32-bit/192kHz DACs
• 1080p/24 and 60 frame output
• Backlit, learning IR remote

Among McIntosh’s other product announcements: the MEN220 Room Correction System for audio optimization ($4,500; October); the MR88 AM/FM/XM/HD Radio Tuner ($4,000; currently available); the MX150 12-channel AV Preamplifier/Processor ($12,000; October); and the sweet 60th anniversary MXA60 Integrated Audio System that includes a preamp with vacuum tube and integrated speakers ($7,500; October).