C2500 and Another DAC, or Just Go With A D1100?

[JBT]

Originally Posted by John Clark

Will the D1100 give me the sound signature I quoted from the review of the 2500?

John

A former member has the Mc601s, C1100 and D1100 in his system. Sold the C1100 because he felt the C1100 didn't make that much difference. I have the exact same system but haven't tried the D1100 as a preamp dac combination. But the D1100 is simply a fantastic sounding DAC. As Chris Connaker the Founder of Computer Audiophile called it, D1100 is sonic dreamland.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by JBT

A former member has the Mc601s, C1100 and D1100 in his system. Sold the C1100 because he felt the C1100 didn't make that much difference. I have the exact same system but haven't tried the D1100 as a preamp dac combination. But the D1100 is simply a fantastic sounding DAC. As Chris Connaker the Founder of Computer Audiophile called it, D1100 is sonic dreamland.

Thanks for your thoughts. I am well aware of the review from Computer Audiophile as I know Chris personally, and we've discussed the D1100.

So, if I understand this right, the former member who you know, and mentioned, sold the C1100 from his system because he felt it did not make that much difference from when he used the D1100 as the sole preamp (and DAC) in his system?

John

[John Clark]

Another, related, quick question for you McIntosh experts. The preamps we've been talking about, 2300, 2500, etc. I believe, are all designed for balanced connectivity. Any problem using them with single ended power amps? If it meant a loss of performance, I would choose to take another route then. Thanks.

John

[leftside]

They have balanced connectors, but that doesn't make them "truly balanced". You'll need to step up to one of the two-box pre-amp solutions for that.

I had a C2300 with a single-ended only Mac amp and was very impressed.

[JBT]

Originally Posted by John Clark

Thanks for your thoughts. I am well aware of the review from Computer Audiophile as I know Chris personally, and we've discussed the D1100.

So, if I understand this right, the former member who you know, and mentioned, sold the C1100 from his system because he felt it did not make that much difference from when he used the D1100 as the sole preamp (and DAC) in his system?

John

Yep. He's all digital. I really like my C1100, D1100 combination. Solid state Power Amps with a Tube Preamp.

[joey_corleoni]

Originally Posted by JBT

A former member has the Mc601s, C1100 and D1100 in his system. Sold the C1100 because he felt the C1100 didn't make that much difference. I have the exact same system but haven't tried the D1100 as a preamp dac combination. But the D1100 is simply a fantastic sounding DAC. As Chris Connaker the Founder of Computer Audiophile called it, D1100 is sonic dreamland.

That is so interesting to me, because I went from a c2500 to c1100, and immediately noticed a big difference. Huge step up, especially for depth and transparency to my ears. So glad I got the c1100

[Msegal]

I am an ardent tube guy and use a C500T. I only listen vinyl and sold my Aesthetix Romulus.

The best digital I have heard is from MSB. I recently listened to a MSB Analog directly into a pair of MC1.25’s which was amazing.

If you want to go exclusively digital the new MSB DACs sound more detailed then through a C500T but looses out on musicality.

If I were doing digital I would definitely start with MSB directly into a great amp, upgrade the DAC as finances allowed and add a C1100 when I add a turntable.

http://www.msbtechnology.com/dacs/

Mike S.