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I guess the first thing I noticed about the Mac MX406 was the large glass facia used on the faceplate - just like most of the home audio offerings from McIntosh. I had read a few people's opinions online and decided to see if all the hype was warranted...
The faceplate design is very symmetrical, the 6 preset radio station buttons lit up by red LEDs at the base of the unit and knobs matching their home audio gear along with nice brushed aluminium endcaps on the outer edges of the glass.
Like most High-end HU's the MX406 has an external power supply which you need to find a home for (usually away from other power sources that might generate emf interference as I have encountered before when using the Clarion HXD2...)
And - interestingly enough Clarion are the ones who built the MX406. The vents in the top etc and a lot of other indents in the case look exactly the same as the HXD2 (without the copper plating though!).
The information on the MX406 is very basic with only the Track number displayed while you're listening to a CD and other small information like track repeat etc. The screen itself is nice though behind the thick glass - it is a VFD (Vacuum Fluorecent Display) and glows a green/blue tinge. Part of the appeal of this unit is probably it's simplicity and ability to play CD's extremely well!
The clock on the unit is accurate and can be used as a display mode instead of the track number or other radio modes,
It should be mentioned however that the MX406's faceplate takes up the size of typical HU face including the surround, so installation in some cars may prove difficult or require mods to the dash.
The volume control is a little tacky in my opinion - very easy to spin and get up to high volume quickly - a full anticlockwise turn means you can turn off the unit completely while the settings are still remembered. The inner knob on the left controls the volume (and the balance - if in the out position), the inner right knob allows track changing with a slight turn either way (a nice feature that's quick to use without taking your eyes off the road).
The outer knobs control the Fader control (on the left) and select the source (on the right). The MX406 can take advantage of the 'optical in' CD Changer cable which still goes through the unit's dual 20bit processors. Even though it's not 24 bit like some of the other high-end units, you would never guess, sound reproduction is about as good as it gets!
Above the two main control knobs are a push-out bass and treble control (left) and on the right, the eject button for the CD... There is a separate button beside the radio station presets for the repeat function. Next to the CD slot is an indicator light as to whether a CD is already in the unit.
No remote control with this unit but I don't think it's any big deal. The two other (very) small gripes I have with this unit are that you can't scan through a song using the track selection buttons (sometimes handy) and there isn't 'detachable face'. Detachable face isn't really an issue though, plenty of HU's get stolen regardless. Nak CD700 or the Clarion HXD2 don't have detachable face either.
You can also have a flashing LED as a visual deterrant.
Sound quality reproduction is truly exceptional - maybe slight bass overtones but that can easily be adjusted via the pop-out bass and treble knob in seconds to suit your listening preferences. There is no hiss in the background - even when the volume is turned up at high levels. Super-clean signal should be up to anyone's standards!
It is quite hard to make the Mac skip, even on bumpy roads it never seems to lose it's position on the CD.
Radio reception is great, pulls in all the common stations with ease and you have six presents to store them in under the screen. When in Radio mode the selected station is shown with a small red LED above the button.
Auxillary sound (iPod etc) can be hooked up the Mac with the RCA's at the back of the unit. The Mac has 3v outputs - not as much as some HU's but fine for most applications. There are front and rear RCA outputs (4) but no separate sub RCA's.
Conclusion:
The MX406 is a fantastic HU probably most at home in a refined sort of car with good sound deadening which would take advantage of the crystal clean sound this deck offers. As said earlier, the faceplate is larger than most HU's but at this level of sound quality most people are willing to make modifications to accomodate the best!
Specifications:
Compact disc audio system
Number of revolutions: Approximately. 500 rpm to 200 rpm (CLV)
Frequency Response : 20Hz to 20kHz +/-0.5 dB
Signal to noise ratio : 110dB (EIAJ)
Dynamic Range : 100dB
Wow and flutter : Below measurable limit (0.001%W at peak) (EIAJ)
Channel Separation : 98 dB
THD:0.004% (1 kHz)
Aux Section - Input sensitivity : AUXH1 V (at 3V output) / AUXL2 V (at 3V output)
AM Tuner Range : 530 kHz to 1,710 kHz
Tuning system : PLL synthesizer system
Frequency characteristic : 20Hz to 4kHz +0, -15 dB
Usable sensitivity : 20 uV
Signal to noise ratio : 50dB (IHF A)
FM Tuner Range : 87.9 MHz to 107.9 MHz
Tuning system : PLL synthesizer system
Frequency characteristic : 30Hz to 17kHz +0, -3 dB
Usable sensitivity : 10dBf
Signal to noise : 70dB (at 100% modulation)
Sean
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