Mcintosh C50

[jdandy]

Ksquare.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

[Ksquare]

Yes i have heard the d100 separately as well and is also better than the c50 DAC. However, i didnt directly a/b compare the d100 with the Lumin. My recollection is that the Lumin is slightly better than the d100. Wider soundstage feel.

[Ksquare]

Thanks jdandy. Been looking at different threads and can see you are very passionate about your music equipment. I am looking forward to learn from all of you about mc equipment.

[enit]

Originally Posted by Ksquare

Yes i have heard the d100 separately as well and is also better than the c50 DAC. However, i didnt directly a/b compare the d100 with the Lumin. My recollection is that the Lumin is slightly better than the d100. Wider soundstage feel.

First thing to judge is the tonal accuracy- in a full mc system, that has to shine.
Second thing I'd do is to observe the contrast levels. You want it to be quieter than the other brand you are hearing.

I've heard the d100 ok a couple shootouts with the mc CD players, and I think I know what you are referring to with regards to sound stage. But the d100 is still respectable in that area.

If you compare the first two as written earlier, you won't go wrong with the d100. And the good thing about high fidelity, is that tone is utmost importance (of course it varies with setups and rooms, but as a unit placed in a mcintosh system-speakers inclusive, you'll have that), and mc believes in lower distortion levels for their gear, so that should be superior too. Especially comparing DACs at the same or higher price point.

Side note, I auditioned a schiit modi a couple of weeks back, and I noticed the tone is great, and very balanced. It didn't have quiet levels nor the staging, layering, depth, like a more expensive DAC, but it was actually very good sound for something less that $200? Tone wise, that'll give a good run of dacs under $1,000 for their money, but falls flat when you're looking at staging, layering, depth. Guess we can't have everything when we a have budget cap on things when looking at value for money sort of components.

Personally, I prefer the c50's DAC and overall presentation vs the d100 for space, tone wise c50's DAC sounds mc-like enough if mcd1100 is the end game presentation. I thought mcd500 vs c50 was a matter of preference than which was better, cause the mcd500 was so smooth, while same song on a digital file with c50 on usb had more open mid-highs & highs. Same stage.

Tough choices then.

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[o0OBillO0o]

Great Pre - heard today

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[enit]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

Great Pre - heard today

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That's a sweet looking system, and it's got everything. ")

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