McIntosh D1100 Ordered

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by MonstaChuck1

Also I did confirm that both 1100s will respond to the remote at the same time.

Yep. They have the exact same remote.

Before coupling the 1100s, when I would change input, up or down, on C1100 via remote control to access something other than the D1100, the input would also change on the D1100 because it’s responding to same remote control commands. One of the reasons I was glad to couple the 1100s.

Plus I like having all active digital inputs display on my C1100 as I scroll thru available inputs versus having a 2nd remote with alternate codes to switch between inputs on the D1100 if they were uncoupled.

Sigh. Looks like no way to have that functionality along with matching “variable” meter readings on the D1100.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by j3brow

My D1100 functions same as the previous C1100 owners have stated with the meters pegged towards the right, as it should because the output is fixed, bypassing the internal preamp, operating in purely “DAC mode” and controlled by the C1100.

Having said that, I would like my meters to bounce in concert with meters on my C1100 and MC601s, for uniformity ......but they are correct in staying in the “fixed” full throttle position reflecting what is actually happening with respect to the D1100, 100% fixed level output with my preamp (C1100) controlling the volume, ie my D1100 is operating in “DAC mode”.

David, I can only assume your meter behavior is what happens when the D1100 is used with a analog preamp that cannot control the D1100 via the “EXT CONTROL DATA CABLE CONNECTION” ... i.e. your D1100 cannot operate in pure DAC mode. If not in dac mode, your front panel buttons will still be active like input, volume, mute etc. Only the standby/on button will be usable when the D1100 is in pure “DAC mode”.

Another question is are you using the variable or fixed output from the D1100? I’m sure you would use the fixed output obviously. Using fixed output, I wonder if the signal is bypassing the D1100 preamp functions or is it passing through both the D1100 and C2300 preamp circuits. One would assume that McIntosh would bypass the D1100 preamp if using the fixed output ..... but why are your D1100 meters still acting as though the unit is passing a variable signal. The d1100 has no idea what volume level the C2300 is at. You are using fixed output??? Is the C2300 remote control turning volume up on the D1100 simultaneously allowing the meter output to be matched all the while the actual output of the D1100 is fixed???? If it’s the later, that is a cool quirk to allow the meters to match up and something that would be cool if my meters could do paired with C1100 in dac mode.

I am very curious to know why your D1100 meters are responding like they are.

I am using fixed output on my D1100 so that I assume means I am only using the D1100 as a DAC ie pre amp volume control is bypassed on the D1100.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I am using fixed output on my D1100 so that I assume means I am only using the D1100 as a DAC ie pre amp volume control is bypassed on the D1100.

I too would assume the volume control is bypassed when the fixed output is used in “preamp mode”. Manual seems to imply you can only enter “dac mode” when connected to analog preamp with the special DIN (?) cable. I suspect when you press mute button on D1100 your signal will mute indicating at least some preamp features are active but you are bypassing volume control function via the fixed output. That’s not a bad thing, just the way McIntosh designed it. It makes for interesting discussion nonetheless.

[1KW]

I'll have to try hitting the mute button on the D1100 tomorrow and see if it mutes the music

[1KW]

I'm back home now and pushing the mute button on the D1100 has no effect on the sound or meters, ie. The preamp function is bypassed. I made a mistake though in my post about the meters on the D 1100 , they do not move with the volume of the C2300 or the D1100 but rather are whatever the Aurender feeds it.

[j3brow]

Thanks for the follow up, well that confirms that using the fixed output puts the D1100 in “dac mode”. Cool. Thx.

[xv21]

Is the MCT/DIN best for CD playback with D1100 and MCT450? I mean CD, not SACD. Has anyone tested USB, AES/EBU, optical or coaxial with D1100 and MCT450?

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by xv21

Is the MCT/DIN best for CD playback with D1100 and MCT450? I mean CD, not SACD. Has anyone tested USB, AES/EBU, optical or coaxial with D1100 and MCT450?

MCT450 sounds splendid with the DIN cable into the D1100 with both CD or SACD. I see no reason to try any other connection.

[1KW]

I am very happy with only using usb with the D1100

[brownbear]

I couldn't find the D1100 Club thread, so I thought I'd post here. I hope I'm not hijacking you 1KW.

I ordered the D1100 digital preamplifier and it arrived yesterday. My journey with McIntosh began when the MX150 was released in 2012? and I had it paired with the MC205. I was using this setup for both home theater and 2 channel listening. It was great for HT, but I was never fully satisfied with sound when listening to 2 channel music.

About a year ago I added the MC152 and C47 to the rack and did the whole home theater pass thru thing and it served me well. I got to a point where I was hardly watching movies anymore and the MC205 and the MX150 went bye bye, they turned into a pair of Wilson Audio Sabrina's .

In another thread I began seeking opinions on an Amplifier upgrade, I was leaning towards an MC452. I went out and did some comparing and didn't hear the sound improvement I thought I would in an amp upgrade. I found that a preamp change would give me more of a sound upgrade which brings me to my 1 day with D1100.

IIRC, most D1100 owners on AA are using it in DAC mode with an analog preamp, I am using it as a digital preamp. I am trading in my C47 for it, but I haven't sent the C47 back yet, which was nice of them to let me hold onto it until next week. I plan on getting back into vinyl someday, but not anytime soon. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. When I do, I'll probably want a C1100 or C2600 over the C47 anyway.

Right out of the box, the D1100 did not disappoint. I noticed a significant difference in sound quality. The sound stage, imaging, depth, clarity, and detail all way better than the C47. There might be some other audio adjectives that I'm leaving out, but the thing sounds amazing! I will admit that I floated the D1100 on Stillpoint Ultra Mini's and set an HRS damping plate on top of it without trying it without first. Someday I'll get to that experiment, but my experience with these products has always shown improvement.

So far, I love my D1100. I am really glad that I held on to the MC152, it really is a nice amplifier and it pushes well beyond the rated 150w per channel. The synergy between the two seems to be a great match. Sources are Jriver via USB and the Oppo BDP-105 via coax, I know someone will ask :-)