To D or not to D? (1100)

[Killergurt]

Hi all,

I posted earlier that I just purchased the C1100 (going to replace my BHK Preamp and DS DAC). As a result, I am going to give away my DAC, and therefore no digital.
I am starting to plan my next digital front, looking into getting a DAC and a Streamer.
I was reluctant about the D1100 because of Mcintosh’s reputation of not supporting their digital products so well (no-to-very few updates) as well as being “inferior” in terms of “specs on paper” to some other DACs in the same or lower price range.
I then did some more research and learned that there is much more to a DAC than which formarts and resolutions it supports.
It seems that many people report that the sound of the D1100 is impressive, open and accurate. It also seems like a good pair with the C1100.

I could use some advice from people who have been using it with the C1100 and also get some opinions on alternative DACs that will work well in my setup.

I was considering the BDA-3 for example, pairing it with the BDP-3 Streamer. Or the Auralic VEGA G2 (DAC and Streamer). Maybe the Naim NDS?

If I do end up with the D1100, which Streamer will you pair with it? There are so many options, I want to consider the ones people have already determined are good ones.

Thank you for helping me with the planning!

[1KW]

I am using a D1100 with a C2300 and the DAC does sound very very good. I did a head to head comparison with a Esoteric 3-0x CDP/DAC in my house and the sound stage was bigger with the D1100, separation of instruments was bigger, clarity was similar. I think you are making a emotional decision against the D1100 having never heard it. See if you can demo one in your house and then make your decision. I would recommend a D1100, its sound is comparable to more expensive DAC's

[Killergurt]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I am using a D1100 with a C2300 and the DAC does sound very very good. I did a head to head comparison with a Esoteric 3-0x CDP/DAC in my house and the sound stage was bigger with the D1100, separation of instruments was bigger, clarity was similar. I think you are making a emotional decision against the D1100 having never heard it. See if you can demo one in your house and then make your decision. I would recommend a D1100, its sound is comparable to more expensive DAC's

Definitely going to try to get a home demo. I am curious about other options.

[brownbear]

I don't use it with a C1100 so you probably don't want my opinion but here it goes anyway... I use it as a straight up Preamp/DAC as I'm all digital right now and the sound is everything you've heard about and more, definitely check it out and good luck with your demo.

[Killergurt]

Which streamer do you guys use with the D1100?

[soundslikemusic]

I dont use the D1100 as I have a Berkeley Reference Dac.. My fave streamer for the past few years has been Aurender and I use the N10 myself.

[Timobi]

I owned the D1100 for a month or so. The audio is very good. BUT I wanted something that could decode MQA. Regardless whether or not that truly provides a better end result is debatable. (sometimes the MQA version is excellent and other times its not as good as the CD)...But I still wanted the option.

I chose a Cary Audio DAC. The DMS-500. Stunning DAC and honestly I think it sounded richer than the D1100. Its also Roon ready which is wonderful..

Retai is only $5K. I think its the best deal going...

[Msegal]

If you desire an all Mc system there really is no other choice.

If you desire something special and can go non Mc I might suggest MSB.

[j3brow]

Agree w/ Msgal. You already have the C1100. Adding the D1100 is a logical step. And yes, they sound wonderful together and function nearly flawlessly. As you can read here at AA, there were auto-mute issues with the D1100, cutting off the first fraction of a second of a track ..... they have since released an update to get around it. It was purposely added to prevent digital artifact beeps or clicks or something between tracks, dsd vs pcm consequence. I still am running the original firmware and mitigate the auto-mute via my Aurender N10 which I also HIGHLY recommend.

[briweed]

Roy,

take a look at the Chord Dave. It is FPGA based and really a step above what the D1100 provides.