The McIntosh MT5 turntable is ready to work immediately after removing it from the box, as all the necessary settings (downforce, tonearm height, etc.) have already been made at the factory. The body of the McIntosh MT5 vinyl record player is characterized by reliable damping, has a stainless steel base platform and a thick aluminum plate installed in its lower part. The top panel is made of acrylic. This design minimizes vibrations, and the height-adjustable feet and the included bubble level ensure the correct installation of the player. The support platter weighing more than 2 kg has a solid thickness and original internal green backlighting. The material for it is special acrylic (silicone acrylic).
The disc uses a ceramic bearing with magnetic suspension, which provides it with the smoothest possible movement with minimal friction. There is a clamp for pressing the vinyl record. The sub-disc is made of anodized aluminum. A low-noise DC electric motor with stainless steel brushes, which is made in Switzerland, is used. Torque is transmitted from the motor to the sub-disc via a belt drive. Power is supplied from an external adapter. The glass front panel of the McIntosh MT5 case is equipped with fiber optic backlighting in combination with LED diodes. On its left side is the speed control knob (33.3, 45 or 78 rpm). On the right side is the power/standby knob.
The tonearm is equipped with a straight tonearm with a rigid duralumin tube and an eccentric counterweight. Ceramic and sapphire bearings are used. The tonearm is equipped with an adjustable magnetic anti-skating system. Its shell contains a Sumiko Blue Point No.2 MC cartridge with a high output voltage of 2.5 mV, thanks to which the player can be connected even to correctors designed for moving magnet pickup heads. The needle holder is made of aluminum. The needle has an elliptical profile and is distinguished by high track tracking accuracy.
On the rear panel of the case there is an RCA output, a ground terminal, 2 system bus connectors for remote activation of power and facade illumination, as well as for turning on other McIntosh components connected to the MT5. There are regulators for fine-tuning the rotation speed and brightness of the backlight of the platter.
The MT5 player delivers high quality sound with superb detail, natural midrange, natural highs and tight, realistic bass.
McIntosh MT5 Specifications
Belt-type drive
Supported platter rotation speeds 33.3, 45 and 78 rpm
Rotation speed variation coefficient ± 0.04%
CNC-machined platter, material: silicone acrylic, soft backlight, weight: 2.3 kg
Vinyl disc mat included
Main bearing ceramic, magnetic suspension
Low-noise DC motor, stainless steel brushes
Tonearm straight, pivoting, duralumin tube, anti-skating, counterweight: eccentric
Effective tonearm length 228.6 mm
Cartridge model and type Sumiko Blue Point No.2 MC cartridge, elliptical stylus profile
Output voltage 2.5 mV
Cartridge weight 6.3 g
Tracking force 2 g
Frequency range 20 Hz – 50 kHz
Channel separation 35 dB
Recommended phono preamplifier impedance 1000 Ohm
Output unbalanced RCA
Other switching 2 system bus connectors (Power Control)
Dust cover yes
Power supply external adapter, 12 V
Dimensions (HxWxD) 445x190x483 mm (including cover)
Weight 14.3 kg