Audio T Verdict
The McIntosh MT5 is one of those turntables that makes its presence known before you've played a note. The illuminated platter, polished detailing and familiar black-glass fascia are unmistakably McIntosh, but underneath the theatre is a very serious piece of analogue engineering.
A belt-driven silicon-acrylic platter rotates on a magnetically suspended ceramic bearing, while the custom Dural-Aluminium tonearm uses magnetic sapphire and ceramic bearings. McIntosh now supplies the MT5 with Sumiko's Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge, complete with an Extended Line Contact stylus.
It is also far less intimidating to set up than its appearance might suggest. The cartridge is installed at the factory and the fundamental tonearm settings are already established, while electronic speed control provides 33?, 45 and 78 rpm operation. For someone looking for a complete luxury turntable package rather than a collection of parts that need assembling from scratch, the MT5 has considerable appeal.
McIntosh MT5 Precision Turntable
The MT5 is a complete belt-drive turntable package combining McIntosh's illuminated chassis design with a precision tonearm, magnetically suspended platter bearing and factory-fitted Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge.
Every major part of the record-playing system is supplied together:
- MT5 belt-drive turntable
- Custom Dural-Aluminium tonearm
- Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge
- Silicon-acrylic platter
- Record clamp
- Clear form-fitting dust cover
This makes the MT5 a genuine ready-to-complete vinyl source rather than a turntable chassis requiring separate choices of arm and cartridge before it can be used.
Magnetically Suspended Ceramic Platter Bearing
At the centre of the MT5 is a silicon-acrylic platter supported by a magnetically suspended ceramic bearing.
The magnetic suspension reduces the mechanical load placed on the bearing surfaces while allowing the platter to rotate smoothly. The mass of the platter also provides flywheel action to help maintain rotational stability during playback.
The translucent platter forms one of the MT5's most recognisable visual features. Internal illumination produces the familiar McIntosh green glow through the platter while a rear adjustment allows the illumination level to be fine-tuned.
Platter
- Material: Silicon acrylic
- Bearing: Magnetically suspended ceramic
- Illumination: Yes
- Light adjustment: Yes
Drive System
- Drive: Belt
- Motor: DC
- Motor brushes: Stainless steel
- Speed control: Servo system
33?, 45 and 78 rpm Playback
Three speeds are selectable from the front panel:
The servo-controlled motor regulates platter speed electronically, while individual fine-speed adjustments are also provided for each of the three settings.
McIntosh recommends that fine-speed calibration is performed with suitable test equipment rather than adjusted casually by eye or ear.
Playing 78 rpm Records
The MT5 itself provides a 78 rpm speed setting. However, many older 78 rpm records require a different stylus profile from that used for modern microgroove LPs. Check the requirements of the record and cartridge before playing 78 rpm material with the supplied Sumiko Amethyst stylus.
Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet Cartridge
Current-production MT5 turntables are supplied with the Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge.
This replaces the Sumiko Blue Point No.2 high-output Moving Coil cartridge fitted to earlier versions of the MT5.
The current McIntosh specification for the Amethyst is:
- Cartridge type: Moving Magnet
- Output: 2.5mV at 5cm/s
- Recommended load: 47k ohms
- Frequency response: 12Hz to 35kHz
- Channel separation: 30dB at 1kHz
- Channel difference: Less than 0.5dB at 1kHz
- Compliance: 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne
- Recommended tracking force: 2.0g
- Stylus: Extended Line Contact
- Cantilever: Aluminium
- Cartridge mass: 6.5g
Which Phono Input Should I Use?
The current Sumiko Amethyst should be connected to a conventional Moving Magnet phono input with a 47k-ohm load.
This is an important difference from earlier MT5 turntables that were supplied with a high-output Moving Coil cartridge. If you already own an MT5 and are unsure which cartridge is installed, check the cartridge itself rather than relying on older product literature.
Extended Line Contact Stylus
The Amethyst uses an Extended Line Contact stylus rather than the elliptical profile fitted to the earlier cartridge supplied with the MT5.
A line-contact profile has a different contact area within the record groove from a conventional elliptical stylus and is designed to retrieve information from a greater portion of the groove wall.
Correct cartridge alignment, tracking force and tonearm setup remain particularly important, which is why professional installation and final checking are worthwhile on a turntable at this level.
Custom Dural-Aluminium Tonearm
The MT5 uses a custom tonearm with a rigid Dural-Aluminium arm tube and a combination of magnetic, sapphire and ceramic bearing elements.
- Arm tube: Dural-Aluminium
- Bearing: Magnetic sapphire and ceramic
- Counterweight: Eccentric
- Vertical Tracking Angle: Adjustable
- Anti-skate: Adjustable
- Azimuth: Adjustable
Magnetic anti-skating avoids the need for a conventional hanging weight arrangement, while the eccentric counterweight and adjustable arm geometry allow the tonearm to accommodate cartridge setup changes if the supplied Amethyst is replaced in the future.
Factory-Set for Straightforward Installation
McIntosh establishes the principal tonearm and cartridge settings before the MT5 leaves the factory. Tracking force, anti-skate, cartridge overhang and arm height are set for the supplied cartridge.
There is still some assembly required after unpacking, including installation of the platter and belt, and the turntable must be positioned and levelled correctly.
If the cartridge is subsequently changed, the relevant tonearm geometry and tracking adjustments will need to be checked again.
Do Not Move the MT5 with the Platter Installed
The magnetic ceramic platter bearing is a precision component. If the MT5 needs to be relocated or transported, follow McIntosh's packing and handling instructions rather than moving the complete turntable with the platter fitted.
Analogue RCA Output
The MT5 is a traditional analogue turntable without a built-in phono stage, digital output, USB connection or Bluetooth.
A stereo pair of unbalanced RCA outputs carries the cartridge signal to a suitable external phono stage or the phono input of a compatible preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
A dedicated grounding connection is provided to connect the turntable earth to the associated phono stage or amplifier.
With the current Amethyst cartridge, the receiving phono stage should provide a suitable 47k-ohm Moving Magnet input.
McIntosh Power Control
The rear panel includes McIntosh Power Control input and output connections.
When connected to compatible McIntosh equipment, Power Control can coordinate operation and illumination with the wider system. A Power Control output allows the control signal to continue on to another compatible component.
- Power Control input: 1
- Power Control output: 1
- Platter illumination: Adjustable
Performance Specifications
McIntosh publishes the following mechanical performance figures for the current MT5:
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 36dB to 41dB
- Wow and flutter: 0.15% to 0.20%
- Speed control: Electronic servo system
- Speed fine adjustment: Yes
Luxury McIntosh Construction
The MT5 manages to look unmistakably part of a McIntosh system without simply copying the appearance of one of the company's amplifiers.
The black front panel, illuminated McIntosh branding and green platter lighting sit alongside the large transparent platter and visible precision tonearm, creating a design that celebrates the mechanical nature of vinyl playback rather than hiding it.
McIntosh specifically uses the materials within the chassis to help suppress unwanted noise, resonance and colouration, while adjustable setup and the substantial overall mass provide a stable platform for the turntable mechanism.
Dimensions and Installation
The MT5 is a substantial full-width turntable and should be placed on a rigid, level and mechanically stable surface away from unnecessary loudspeaker vibration.
- Width: 44.45cm
- Height: 17.8cm
- Height with dust cover: 19.0cm
- Current published depth: 43.18cm
- Weight: 14.3kg
- Shipping weight: 17.2kg
Tonearm height can vary if a different cartridge is installed, so additional clearance should be considered when placing the MT5 beneath shelving.
UK Power and Supplied Adapter
The MT5 itself is powered via an external AC/DC power adapter rather than connecting the turntable chassis directly to the mains.
Use only the correctly specified power adapter supplied for the UK-market turntable. This also makes the turntable's low-voltage power system distinct from McIntosh amplifiers and source components that connect directly to a factory-configured mains voltage.
Key Features
- Luxury belt-drive turntable
- Sumiko Amethyst cartridge included
- Moving Magnet cartridge
- 2.5mV cartridge output
- 47k-ohm recommended phono loading
- Extended Line Contact stylus
- Aluminium cantilever
- 2.0g recommended tracking force
- Custom Dural-Aluminium tonearm
- Magnetic sapphire and ceramic tonearm bearing
- Adjustable Vertical Tracking Angle
- Adjustable anti-skate
- Adjustable azimuth
- Eccentric counterweight
- Silicon-acrylic platter
- Magnetically suspended ceramic platter bearing
- Illuminated platter
- Adjustable platter-light level
- DC motor
- Servo speed control
- 33? rpm
- 45 rpm
- 78 rpm
- Independent fine-speed adjustment
- Stereo RCA analogue output
- Dedicated turntable ground
- McIntosh Power Control input
- McIntosh Power Control output
- Record clamp included
- Clear dust cover included
- Factory-installed cartridge
- Factory-set cartridge and tonearm parameters
- 14.3kg unit weight
- Three-year limited manufacturer warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cartridge is supplied with the current McIntosh MT5?
The current MT5 is supplied with a Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge.
Didn't the MT5 originally come with a Moving Coil cartridge?
Yes. Earlier MT5 turntables were supplied with the Sumiko Blue Point No.2 high-output Moving Coil cartridge. McIntosh's current production specification uses the Sumiko Amethyst Moving Magnet cartridge instead.
Which phono input should I use?
The current Sumiko Amethyst is designed for a conventional 47k-ohm Moving Magnet phono input.
Does the MT5 have a built-in phono stage?
No. A suitable external phono preamplifier or an amplifier with a Moving Magnet phono input is required.
What stylus does the supplied cartridge use?
McIntosh specifies an Extended Line Contact stylus with an aluminium cantilever.
What tracking force should I use?
The current Sumiko Amethyst specification recommends 2.0g.
Does the MT5 play 78 rpm records?
The turntable itself supports 78 rpm as well as 33? and 45 rpm. However, some 78 rpm records require a specialist stylus, so cartridge compatibility should be checked before playback.
Is the MT5 belt drive?
Yes. It uses a belt-drive system with a servo-controlled DC motor.
Can the speed be adjusted?
Yes. Fine-speed adjustment is provided for 33?, 45 and 78 rpm, although accurate adjustment should be carried out using suitable test equipment.
What is special about the platter bearing?
The silicon-acrylic platter rotates on a magnetically suspended ceramic bearing designed to minimise mechanical contact and unwanted bearing noise.
Can I fit a different cartridge?
Yes. Vertical Tracking Angle, anti-skate and azimuth can all be adjusted, allowing a suitably matched alternative cartridge to be installed. The complete tonearm setup should be checked whenever the cartridge is changed.
Is a dust cover included?
Yes. A clear form-fitting dust cover is supplied.
Is a record clamp included?
Yes. The MT5 includes a record clamp to help hold the record securely against the platter.
Does the MT5 have USB or Bluetooth?
No. It is a traditional analogue turntable with stereo RCA output and requires a separate phono stage.
Can it integrate with other McIntosh components?
Yes. McIntosh Power Control input and output connections allow compatible McIntosh equipment to coordinate power and illumination functions.
How much does the MT5 weigh?
The current McIntosh specification gives a unit weight of 14.3kg.
What warranty does the MT5 have?
McIntosh specifies a three-year limited manufacturer warranty.
Related McIntosh Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy McIntosh From Audio T?
A turntable at this level rewards careful installation. Audio T can help make sure the MT5 is level, correctly positioned and matched to an appropriate Moving Magnet phono stage, while also checking the cartridge setup and discussing future upgrade options.
- McIntosh turntable demonstrations
- Professional turntable setup
- Cartridge alignment and tracking-force checks
- Phono-stage matching
- Cartridge upgrade advice
- Turntable isolation guidance
- System and amplifier matching
- Power Control setup
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a McIntosh MT5 demonstration or discuss the right phono stage and system configuration.