McIntosh MCD1100 Review

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 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?

Massimo.......The MCD1100 is so revealing with both disc types it is difficult to make a general statement that SACD's sound better than CD's on this amazing player. I am discovering myself thoroughly immersed in the sound of every disc I have played, and that is not an exaggeration.

[KMC45]

Dan,

I will commend you for taking the time and effort to actually compare the two units in a way that might offer up differences. It's a pain in the ass to get the same interconnects, same Cd's, level match, and find someone to control things, but it's really a more honest way to find out if differences exist between components.

While I might come to different conclusions than others that do things the same way, who cares. The main issue is to try and be somewhat credible in our comparisons of different gear.

Good effort.

[jdandy]

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.......Always a pleasure. Beats the heck out of working.

[Face]

Originally Posted by jdandy

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.

Dan, once you get used to a PC music server setup, changing CD's will feel as antiquated as changing a record.

[kfr01]

Dan, congrats again. Hearing you describe how good CD/SACD can be with the MCD1100 makes want to run to my local dealer with disks in hand. Cheers!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by KMC45

Dan,

I will commend you for taking the time and effort to actually compare the two units in a way that might offer up differences. It's a pain in the ass to get the same interconnects, same Cd's, level match, and find someone to control things, but it's really a more honest way to find out if differences exist between components.

While I might come to different conclusions than others that do things the same way, who cares. The main issue is to try and be somewhat credible in our comparisons of different gear.

Good effort.

Keith.......Thank you. The blind testing was done on your behalf. You presented a good case for the effort. Once blindfolded, my first thought was how foolish I would feel to be unable to accurately pick the MCD1100, but being blindfolded has the distinct advantage of removing visual distractions, and actually enhanced my sense of hearing. I must admit, once the test was complete I felt a sense of relief.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Face

Dan, once you get used to a PC music server setup, changing CD's will feel as antiquated as changing a record.

Mike.......It's all good. I love this hobby.

[mgard]

Dan,

As others have done, I want to also thank you for the time and effort put forth in another meticulous review. With your many years of experience in audio, I have no doubt that the MCD1100 is everything you say it is. Those are excellent photos you posted. It was really nice to see the 500 and 1100 next to each other to see the differences. I’ll have to pick up that test CD you mentioned.

Excellent review!

~Mike

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by mgard

Dan,

As others have done, I want to also thank you for the time and effort put forth in another meticulous review. With your many years of experience in audio, I have no doubt that the MCD1100 is everything you say it is. Those are excellent photos you posted. It was really nice to see the 500 and 1100 next to each other to see the differences. I’ll have to pick up that test CD you mentioned.

Excellent review!

Mike.......I have a great interest in high-end audio and the constant pleasure this hobby brings into my life. When I discover a new component with true advanced performance, I thrive on the auditioning and A/B comparing it with similar gear. It adds to my appreciation of just how far audio has advanced since I first was biten by the bug in the early 60's. Being able to share my excitement with members who understand what the thrill is all about, is a real joy.

[MisterBritt]

I sure enjoyed your analysis. Thanks for taking the time to do it, and do it right. You know, we all experience music differently. Some attributes of playback are more and others less important to each of us. The main impression I personally took away from your analysis was that the soundstage was bigger with the MCD1100. The next observation that stuck to my ribs was that the imaging was categorically better with the MCD1100. I'd like to inquire whether you made any observations in some other areas, please.

Did you notice with the MCD1100 that the timbre of the instruments was any different from the MCD500? For instance, you mention several times listening to cymbals. Did you notice any change in the tonality of the cymbals from one unit to the other? Or on any other instruments, for that matter. I like to listen to cymbals, too -- gongs can be even better, but they're pretty sparse -- because of the rich, metallic harmonics, among other attributes. An idiophone, like a cymbal or gong, is an excellent choice for comparison. Anything further to say about them?

Was the patter of a bass drum beater on the drum head any fuller in tonal spectrum, or more accurate in decay rate, etc. Does anything like that come to mind?

Another area I'd be interested in might be considered an aspect of the soundstage. Specifically, was there any shift from, say, a forward- to a mid-hall presentation? In other words, if a violinist appeared about 20 feet back on the MCD500, did she appear to remain about 20 feet deep in the mix with the MCD1100 -- or was she farther back or nearer the front of the hall? I don't mean to inquire whether the hall got bigger but rather whether the whole hall got nearer or farther back -- any observations like that?

If nothing more comes to mind just now, cool. But if you make further observations down the road, I'd sure enjoy reading them. One final take-away for me personally is that this player captures vocals very well. And vocals are the hardest thing to get right. So it sounds like this is a righteous player. Thanks again.