Esoteric K-03X VS Mcintosh D1100
 

1) Esoteric K-03X all the way, don't trust Mcintosh digital

2) Mcintosh D1100 all the way, has more digital inputs

3) Esoteric K-03X because I would miss having a transport

4) I would wait for a MQA DAC, neither

Well I messed this up, I tried to set this up as poll. Maybe Dan can help ?

Call me old fashioned, I choose the one that sounds better.

Which one sounds better?

David.......My editing tools don't provide a way to create a poll from a posted thread. You can delete this thread and try again. Go to the bottom and check the box to create a poll and assign how many questions you want to post (maximum is 10). The other option is to just let this thread move forward and see what comments get made.

Neither are available to me for demo. My next move is most likely the Resonessence Invicta Mirus Pro I don't spin the shiny discs anymore.

That's meant to be a great DAC. I listened to a few different DAC's this year and settled on a Lampizator Atlantic. I'm quite sensitive to brightness and high trebles and this one seemed to be the smoothest of the bunch. At this level I don't think one is better than the other, just differences. I'm also 100% done with CD's. The only media that spins in my house is vinyl. I'm not saying vinyl is better (last year I would have), but it does have a different sound.

I'm also keeping an eye on the D1100 for next year in another room. This other room is all Mac and I'd like to keep it that way if possible.

I'm rather remote so my history of experience is limited to the Rega DAC, Ayre QB-9, QB-9 DSD, Codex, Aurelic Vega, MSB Analog and the Mirus Pro outside of integrated DACs.

My at home Mirus Pro demo was allot goose bumps and major toe and hand tapping. :yes:

Gentlemen.......Lets keep this thread focused of the original topic.

Reviewing your 2 channel system it seems the D1100 is running through a c2300. I might suggest upgrading the C2300 to a C1100 which will likely make a bigger difference than the Esoteric. It will also improve your vinyl.

I am not that sold on MQA and am taking a wait and see approach.