301 Still Out

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This arrived at 7:25 EST.







.

[jdandy]

. . . . .

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Here's one with it on the shelf, which I took care of last night. Today I plan to do some listening. And while I wouldn't say I'm deeply excited (last night I felt very matter-of-fact about the whole thing), this AM there is a sense of anticipation which may well grow as the day goes on.







.

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Having begun to play more familiar material, my demo/reference CDs in particular, I'm prepared to add another descriptive to my short list for the MCD500. Not only is there more ease in listening, smoothness, and occasional detail I don't recall hearing before, but yesterday the term "refined" came to mind, as if the sound seemed a bit more organized.

On Eliane Elias' Cross Currents CD, the last track revealed some percussion I don't remember hearing before, at least not the way I heard it yesterday. And overall, piano sounded a bit more like piano on a CD of Beethoven piano sonatas; an acoustic guitar sounded more like one on Antonio Carlos Jobim's Wave. This is good so far. Let the testing continue, I say; just not tonight probably, as I'm stuck at work right now.

[jdandy]

Charles.......My experience mirrors your description. When I moved from the MCD301 to the MCD500 I heard a more refined, detailed presentation with improved resolution that allowed me to hear deeper into the musical performance. The MCD500 is a fine CD/SACD/DAC. Even though it does not provide a USB input that would allowed computer audio to use the DAC, an outboard USB to coaxial converter is all that is needed to open that option for you. Pete (Vintage Pete) uses the Bryston BUC-1 USB to coaxial converter to play high-res audio through his MDA1000 DAC which does not have USB input. Sounds amazing.

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Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......My experience mirrors your description. When I moved from the MCD301 to the MCD500 I heard a more refined, detailed presentation with improved resolution that allowed me to hear deeper into the musical performance. The MCD500 is a fine CD/SACD/DAC. Even though it does not provide a USB input that would allowed computer audio to use the DAC, an outboard USB to coaxial converter is all that is needed to open that option for you. Pete (Vintage Pete) uses the Bryston BUC-1 USB to coaxial converter to play high-res audio through his MDA1000 DAC which does not have USB input. Sounds amazing.

You mention resolution; there was another thing I noticed along these lines. Playing the Mamas and the Papas' song California Dreaming from one of those Time/Life multi-disc compilations, there's a line that I always thought said, "Well I got down on my knees and I BEGAN to pray"; but listening to the song on the MCD500, it says "and I PRETEND to pray." Interesting.

[jdandy]

California Dreamin'

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

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Originally Posted by jdandy

California Dreamin'

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (if I was in L.A.)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

Stopped into a church
I passed along the way
Well, I got down on my knees (got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)
You know the preacher like the cold (preacher like the cold)
He knows I'm gonna stay (knows I'm gonna stay)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

All the leaves are brown (all the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (and the sky is grey)
I've been for a walk (I've been for a walk)
On a winter's day (on a winter's day)
If I didn't tell her (if I didn't tell her)
I could leave today (I could leave today)

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day

And in a performance of the song on the Hollywood Palace via YouTube, it was confirmed as well. It is indeed pretend. I didn't imagine it.

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Over the relatively short time I've had the MCD500, I've come to really enjoy it. As stated earlier, it's smoother with a bit more detail than the 301 it replaced. Not to say the 301 was bad, just that I've noticed a positive change in the sound and am convinced the 500 is better. That I was able to trade it in helped also, since I don't gain another box to add to the clutter in my 1BR apartment.

I'm also of the belief that no change or upgrade should ever be necessary. I do still wonder now and then what the Marantz SA-10 would sound like in my setup, but there's no need to pursue that. Other, more important things to address and not a lot of money to go around should take care of that. Should. I'll see.

I do wonder what the 500 would sound like with different tubes in my 2300. That wouldn't cost anything, as the tubes are on hand, just the time it takes to swap them out and re-connect stuff. That may be happening, as a re-configure is possible due to turntable issues.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......The MCD500 is a fine CD/SACD/DAC. Even though it does not provide a USB input that would allowed computer audio to use the DAC............

Dan - That seems to be one of the differences between the MCD500 and the newer MCD550.
Based on your and Charles and some professional reviews the MCD550 is back in the mix with the Accuphase DP-430 and Esoteric K-05x for my CDP upgrade. Would like to stay with McIntosh as long as I don't feel I'm giving up anything.