McIntosh MCD1100 Review

[kfr01]

Dan: Thanks for the great review. I'm happy to hear that 192khz audio worked well. Due to your review (as well as my newfound love for the McIntosh house sound), the MCD1100 is at the top of my DAC wish list. Research continues. I thank you -- my wife does not ;-).

['cisco]

Originally Posted by jdandy

My jaw dropped to the couch, my eye brows shot up, goose bumps appeared on my neck, and my attention was captured in the same manner as if a hot, slinky, scantily dressed blonde had just walked into the room.

Dan.....another "FABULOUS" review as always...thanks for taking the time.

I guess us 500 owners out there will just have to settle for a brunette instead....which is not a bad thing.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dan....Holy cow, an other great great review !!
From your findings, it is clear that the MCD1100 goes well beyond the MCD500.
The advantages will be more and more obvious with time.
Do I "NEED" an MCD1100 ? Surely no ! I'm very happy with the sound of my system right now.
Will I buy one ? maybe....

Jérôme........With the caliber and resolution of your very fine sound system, the MCD1100 will absolutely blow your mind. Do you "NEED" a MCD1100.


It has been quite some time since I have experienced goose bumps while listening to a sound system, mine or someone else. I was just sitting in the studio listening to Lee Ritenour's new CD, 6 String Theory. On track 3, "Why I Sing The Blues", when Vince Gill sings the third vocal on the track and plays his guitar solo, goose bumps popped up across my shoulders and down my arms. The sound of the MCD1100 is that exhilarating. Go have a listen with a few of your favorite CD's. It will make you a believer.

[Masterlu]

I just completed reading your latest amazing review. Dan... not only is it a joy to read, but ever so informing and well presented.

AA is truly fortunate to have you on our equipment review brigade. If I ever need a new piece of gear reviewed, I will most certainly be sending it to you first!

Thanks for taking your time, and effort to enlighten all our members with your findings.

Ivan

[-E-]

Originally Posted by jdandy

E.......The MCD1100 specs say the USB input handles 24Bit/192kHz. It is 32Bit/96kHz according to what Iam reading inthe Manual.

Again I am trying to remember straight from the horses mouth from January, but I believe Ron said there was a code limitation on the USB input - it will take whatever you feed it (as the MDA1K does) but the highest it actually sees is 24/96, then it feeds into the other Sabre DAC. (The USB DAC is different from the Sabre)

[kfr01]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

Again I am trying to remember straight from the horses mouth from January, but I believe Ron said there was a code limitation on the USB input - it will take whatever you feed it (as the MDA1K does) but the highest it actually sees is 24/96, then it feeds into the other Sabre DAC. (The USB DAC is different from the Sabre)

A deal-breaker for me and the MCD1100, if this is true.

[Dj_AmTraX]

Nice review Dan. I wonder how the C50 DACs stacks up to the MCD500 or MCD1100

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Vesuvius

Again I am trying to remember straight from the horses mouth from January, but I believe Ron said there was a code limitation on the USB input - it will take whatever you feed it (as the MDA1K does) but the highest it actually sees is 24/96, then it feeds into the other Sabre DAC. (The USB DAC is different from the Sabre)

E.......You may be correct, as I cannot remember Ron's exact comments, but that does ring a bell. To me it is no big deal. It will save me money on Hi-Res downloads ($17.98 for 24/96 vs: $29.98 for 24/192) if I decide to do anymore downloading. Actually, I find the whole downloading process a bit time consuming and tedious. Interfacing with computers and software to listen to music is also a chore. I much prefer to slip a CD or SCAD in the tray, press play, and enjoy the music. The MCD1100 performs to such a high caliber with compact discs that I find Hi-Res playback is not necessarily the trump card I have read it would be. Hi-Res downloads certainly sound good, and I am not knocking the playback quality. Still, the MCD1100 sounds spectacular with traditional CD and SACD discs, and so much more convenient to use. We all have our own opinions.

[Supercronopio]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I just completed reading your latest amazing review. Dan... not only is it a joy to read, but ever so informing and well presented.

AA is truly fortunate to have you on our equipment review brigade. If I ever need a new piece of gear reviewed, I will most certainly be sending it to you first!

Thanks for taking your time, and effort to enlighten all our members with your findings.

Ivan

+1

[m.tonetti]

Dan, thanks for the time that you have dedicated to us.
Accurate and passionate review, as usual.

The differences between the two players are more pronounced with SACD or CD?