MB25

The McIntosh MB25 is a Bluetooth transceiver for adding wireless music streaming to McIntosh or non-McIntosh high-end home audio systems, whether vintage or modern. It allows compatible smartphones and other Bluetooth devices to send music from cloud accounts and streaming services to a sound system, while also transmitting audio from physical sources such as CDs or vinyl records to Bluetooth-enabled headphones or speakers.

As the successor to the MB20, the MB25 retains the MB20 features and adds an illuminated front glass panel showing audio signal rates and connection types. In transmit mode, the desired input can be selected, and Power Control allows the unit to be switched on and off with the rest of the system. A blue LED above the Pair button indicates Receiver mode, while a green LED indicates Transmitter mode.

The compact, standalone unit has a relatively small footprint and requires no third-party app. It uses Class 1 Bluetooth technology and an external antenna, with a transmission range of up to 150 feet (45.7 metres)1 for transmitting and receiving audio signals. Receiver and Transmitter modes are selected using the switch on the rear panel, and the MB25 cannot operate in both modes at the same time.

In Receiver mode, audio from compatible Bluetooth devices is sent to the MB25 and then to the audio system through its output connections. In Transmitter mode, audio from a selected physical source can be sent wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.

Connectivity includes balanced and unbalanced stereo analogue inputs and outputs, along with coaxial and optical digital inputs and outputs. The digital connections allow the MB25 to be connected to an audio system or an external Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC). The MB25 cannot be used as a standalone Digital-to-Analogue Converter (DAC).

Bluetooth 5.0 supports the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) and Qualcomm® aptX™ HD high-fidelity codecs. A 32-bit DAC is used in Receiver mode, while Transmitter mode uses an Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC).

McIntosh MB25 Bluetooth Transceiver