The arrival of Spotify Lossless on the McIntosh DS200, MSA5500 and MX123 amplifiers marks a significant step forward for music lovers wishing to enjoy lossless sound quality from one of the most popular streaming services. This evolution finally enables Spotify to be enjoyed in high quality, reinforcing the appeal of these well-established electronics for network playback within a high-end system.
Lossless compatibility adds value to McIntosh electronics
The availability of Lossless in Spotify Premium opens up a new level of audio quality that has been missing from the service until now. FLAC playback at up to 24-bit/44.1kHz now enables an accurate reproduction that respects the integrity of the signal. The McIntosh DS200 network player, MSA5500 amplifier and MX123 preamplifier take full advantage of this improvement, as their digital sections have been designed to preserve the precision of the audio stream.
📒 Note from the expert
The DS200 and MSA5500 don't require any updates to enable maximum quality playback. Support is immediate as soon as Spotify Connect sends a Lossless stream. The MX123 may require a firmware update.
The main benefit of this evolution lies in the ability to listen to Spotify’s huge catalog in better conditions. A Lossless stream preserves signal information, and dynamics benefit from better extension. Timbres are more nuanced, with a clearer distinction between sound planes. What’s more, McIntosh devices benefit from a careful conversion stage that optimizes the potential of FLAC streams in audiophile installations.
The fact that this compatibility is in addition to AirPlay 2, Qobuz Connect and Tidal Connect further enhances the versatility of these models, which become true audio hubs. Users can switch from one platform to another, while maintaining consistent playback throughout their system.
Sound quality superior to CD audio
The Lossless quality offered by Spotify surpasses CD quality, thanks to a 24-bit depth that preserves more information in the signal. This extra precision results in wider dynamics, more nuanced timbres and a more faithful reproduction of micro details.
A simple way to understand this difference is to compare it to the color depths of a monitor. A 16-bit display may already appear satisfactory, but a 24-bit display reveals more gradations, more nuances and a smoother transition between tones. The transition from CD to 24-bit FLAC follows the same logic, and the sound becomes more refined, even if the sampling frequency remains the same.
How do I activate Lossless in the Spotify app?
Lossless quality is activated entirely within the Spotify app. No intervention is required on McIntosh amplifiers. Spotify Premium is required to access this playback quality. Once you’ve subscribed, simply activate FLAC quality directly in the service settings.
- Open the Spotify app on your smartphone, tablet or computer.
- Press the profile icon.
- Select the Preferences and Privacy menu.
- Go to the Multimedia content quality section.
- Choose Lossless quality
Compatibility between Spotify Lossless and the McIntosh DS200, MSA5500 and MX123 finally makes it possible to enjoy the service in superior audio quality. The DS200 and MSA5500 are immediately ready for this feature, while the MX123 requires a simple update. Listening in FLAC brings a sensitive precision that fully enhances the design of these McIntosh electronics. Once Lossless is activated in the Spotify app, each source benefits from a more authentic reproduction, reinforcing the appeal of these devices within a music system.
