AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Audio & Video > CD Players, Digital Music & Servers

CD Players, Digital Music & Servers Aurender, dCs, Esoteric, Lumin.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-14-2018, 03:56 AM
puresp puresp is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Denmark
Posts: 43
Lightbulb McIntosh MCD500 DAC beats the crap out of C2500 ditto

I recently swapped my McIntosh MC452 for two Electrocompaniet AW600 NEMO monoblocks and a few weeks later swapped my C2500 preamp for an ARC REF3. Since every piece of equipment in my setup, except the C2500, was fully balanced I was not happy with the resulting balanced-to-single ended-to-balanced conversions that happened. I could avoid the latter step by using RCA connectors to the MC452 power amp but the NEMOs only have balanced inputs.

Anyway, as a result of the swap I had to find another DAC to convert my digital music (served by a NAD M50 w. a 3 Tb USB HDD attached) since the REF3 doesn't have a built in DAC as did the C2500.

As I have an MCD500 I of course used the coax input on that and ... lo and behold ... the quality just jumped up a couple of notches or more! The improvement was way above what I got when playing CD's so I'm pretty sure it's the change in DAC that made the difference.

I guess this could be useful info for somebody using the built in DAC in the C2500 (and perhaps also C2600?) if they also have another choice, like MCD500/550/1100. Go for the DAC in the SACD player - it is a class above the one built into the preamp I think!

Overall I am happy with the swaps - partly because I got great deals on the new amps and partly due to the improved performance.

PS: Now I just have to change my signature.

Last edited by jdandy; 07-14-2018 at 04:07 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-14-2018, 02:17 PM
gadawg gadawg is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Prosper TX
Posts: 847
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by puresp View Post
I recently swapped my McIntosh MC452 for two Electrocompaniet AW600 NEMO monoblocks and a few weeks later swapped my C2500 preamp for an ARC REF3. Since every piece of equipment in my setup, except the C2500, was fully balanced I was not happy with the resulting balanced-to-single ended-to-balanced conversions that happened. I could avoid the latter step by using RCA connectors to the MC452 power amp but the NEMOs only have balanced inputs.

Anyway, as a result of the swap I had to find another DAC to convert my digital music (served by a NAD M50 w. a 3 Tb USB HDD attached) since the REF3 doesn't have a built in DAC as did the C2500.

As I have an MCD500 I of course used the coax input on that and ... lo and behold ... the quality just jumped up a couple of notches or more! The improvement was way above what I got when playing CD's so I'm pretty sure it's the change in DAC that made the difference.

I guess this could be useful info for somebody using the built in DAC in the C2500 (and perhaps also C2600?) if they also have another choice, like MCD500/550/1100. Go for the DAC in the SACD player - it is a class above the one built into the preamp I think!

Overall I am happy with the swaps - partly because I got great deals on the new amps and partly due to the improved performance.

PS: Now I just have to change my signature.
Congrats on the improvements to your system ... your amp will sell in no time!

George

Last edited by jdandy; 07-14-2018 at 04:08 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:31 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video