Magnat MC-100: Fully discrete Class AB amplifier rated at 30W per channel

The Magnat MC-100 mini-system looks very nice and at first glance may seem frivolous. But this impression is wrong. Hidden in miniature sizes is a real monster, assembled according to High End canons. Inside is a fully discrete Class AB amplifier rated at 30W per channel. As a result, the Magnat MC-100’s sound has become more open and percussive, and the system can now easily cope with even compact floor-standing speakers. The main signal source in the system is the CD drive, the narrow loading tray of which is located under a large and informative two-line display. The transport is optimized for playing CD-Audio discs (it is also possible to listen to CD-R/RW with MP3 and WMA files), which ensures accurate sound of songs. Another built-in music source in the Magnat MC-100 is a high-quality AM/FM tuner with an auto-tuning system and memory for 30 stations.

Even such a “computer” attribute as the USB input has disappeared from the front panel of the new model. He’s not there in the back either. The developers considered that the function of playing audio files from flash drives or iPods is no longer as popular today as a wireless connection via Bluetooth. Therefore, the USB interface was removed, replacing it with a “blue-toothed” module (little is known about its characteristics and supported codecs – most likely it meets the standard A2DP profile).

Connections to other sources are made using a linear input and a pair of optical ones. For set-top boxes and TV panels, the latter option is optimal – the TOSLink connection does not form a galvanic connection and therefore does not transmit digital interference from the operation of processors, hard drives and switching power supplies to the sensitive audio component. However, engineers preferred DSP to the usual analog volume and tone controls. Today, this is also a completely justified solution, since digital audio processing, including frequency correction and level changes, even in inexpensive chips with a bit resolution of 192 kHz/32 bits, has noticeably stepped forward and no longer causes obvious sound degradation, as it did before. Therefore, Magnat MC-100 can be considered as a device on a digital platform, in which only the line input, subwoofer output, built-in FM tuner and final amplifier are analog.

The anodized aluminum front panel of the Magnat MC-100 is not overloaded with buttons. The player tray, a small display, a power button, a volume knob and a 6.3 mm phone jack – the “gentleman’s set”, as you can see, is in place. A small button on the left side controls the selection of sources. The knob on the right is used to scroll through tracks, select radio stations stored in the memory, and also to adjust the balance and HF/LF timbre. On the rear panel there are two analog inputs and one line output for recording, and a separate output for a subwoofer. Digital interfaces are represented by optical and coaxial output. The Magnat MC-100 CD receiver has a body width of 28 cm. Magnat MC-100 uses universal screw terminals to connect speakers, ensuring a reliable connection and minimal loss of the useful signal.

Characteristics of Magnat MC-100

Playable formats: CD-Audio, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3, WMA
Rated output power: 20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD < 1.0%, 4 Ohms, 2 x 35 W 20 Hz – 20 kHz , THD < 1.0%, 8 Ohms, 2 x 25 W
Frequency range: CD/Aux/Line: 10 Hz – 80 kHz (-3.0 dB), 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+/-0.5 dB)
Input sensitivity: Aux/Line 470 mV/100 kΩ
Power consumption: Sleep mode <0.5 W
Signal-to-noise ratio: CD/Aux/Line: 98 dB (A), Digital inputs – Digital inputs
: optical (Toslink™) Coaxial support: 44.1/48/88.2/96/176.4/192kHz support: 16/24 bit
Dimensions (WxHxD): 277 x 132 x 330 mm, 277 x 132 x 370 mm (incl. controls and connectors) Remote control: 45 x 175 x 20 mm
Weight: 5.8 kg