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  #11  
Old 03-12-2015, 05:06 PM
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djwhog djwhog is offline
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Well at least it would give you an even base point even thought I am sure it is not as good as the Extech 407750....
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  #12  
Old 03-12-2015, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by djwhog View Post
Dan I am sure that is much more accurate than the ipad/itunes apps huh
Dave.......Considerably more accurate and many useful features. In my opinion every serious audio enthusiast should own a SPL meter and the Rives Test CD2. Good tools for all kinds of testing. When doing A/B comparisons of components lick the MCD550 and the MCD1100 it is important to have the volume of each player identical to a half a decibel or less. Otherwise the player with the higher volume is typically perceived to sound the best because it sounds louder and more forward when compared to the other.


My Extech SPL meter even has a tripod mount which is real handy. Here's a photo of the SPL meter on a tripod when I was measuring the noise levels during washing and drying cycles of the Klaudio Ultrasonic record cleaner for the review I wrote.


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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #13  
Old 03-12-2015, 05:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golucid View Post
djwhog, great idea. I'm lazy. App that does it all. Nice!

Found the meter here: Extech 407750

The only finds, quick duck duck go search shows Rives Audio Test CD2 lots of thief downloads/torrents. I will not steel music or software. Dan, where did you buy your Rives Audio Test CD2?
David.......Unfortunately, Rives Audio has closed their doors. I purchased my Rives Audio Test CD2 directly from them several years ago. The Test CD2 rarely shows up used because it is a useful tool that owners just don't let go of. Another very useful Test CD with test tones is the Stereophile's Test CD2.

<I>Stereophile</I>'s Test CD 2 | Stereophile.com

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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #14  
Old 03-12-2015, 05:27 PM
lwschwartz lwschwartz is offline
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It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the comparison. The level matching is important because of the way the brain works. The unit that is slightly louder will seem to sound better. I would expect the MCD1100 to sound better even though it was engineered earlier because the internal components are enough better. It would be nice if Mac would build a top of the line DAC around the knowlege and better components found in the MCD1100, ie the MDA1100.
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  #15  
Old 03-13-2015, 04:55 PM
Golucid Golucid is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lwschwartz View Post
It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the comparison.
Frankly, my observation is a mute point. I've been enlightened. We already have an expert that has done the tests, and that rock star is JDany. What he says is golden to me. I'm just spinning my wheels when he has already done the work.
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  #16  
Old 03-13-2015, 05:17 PM
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No David, Dan has compared the MCD500 agains the MCD1100, not the MCD550, so your observations would be interesting.
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  #17  
Old 03-13-2015, 07:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bart View Post
No David, Dan has compared the MCD500 agains the MCD1100, not the MCD550, so your observations would be interesting.
Bart.......I am curious, too. I want to read David's impression of the MCD1100 compared to the MCD550. It should be interesting.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #18  
Old 03-13-2015, 07:47 PM
Golucid Golucid is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
David.......Make sure to level match the outputs accurately.
Dan...when you say, "level match..." are you referring to the level dial on the front of the player? Currently, I used the fixed volume. I am not using the variable and do not use the level feature on the face of the player.
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  #19  
Old 03-13-2015, 08:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golucid View Post
Dan...when you say, "level match..." are you referring to the level dial on the front of the player? Currently, I used the fixed volume. I am not using the variable and do not use the level feature on the face of the player.
David.......You can level match the outputs of the two players in two ways. One way is to use the variable outputs and the volume control on the front of each player along with your meters on the C2500. Play a test tone CD in each player and adjust the volume control on the C2500 until you reach a specific meter reading, lets say -40dB exactly with both players' volume controls set to 82% on their respective displays. As you switch between the two players on your C2500 make adjustment in one player's volume control, either up or down, until its output matches exactly the other player. Just because both players display a number for volume is no absolute assurance the output levels are identical. McIntosh is good at making these levels accurate but to ensure they truly are accurate you need to check and adjust output accordingly.

An alternate way to adjust output level is to use the fixed outputs of both players, play a test tone CD, adjust your C2500 volume until you reach a specific level on the meters, lets say -40dB. Switch between the two players while watching the meters. Any difference in output level can then be adjusted by raising or lowering the Trim control via the C2500 remote for one player's input on the C2500. Check both players again while watching the meters to make sure the levels are matched. Either method I described is effective.

Without accurate level matching your A/B comparison of the MCD1100 and the MCD550 will be skewed, usually in favor of the player that is the loudest, even if the difference is only minor.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 03-13-2015 at 08:31 PM.
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  #20  
Old 03-14-2015, 12:39 PM
jlbrach jlbrach is offline
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I have not had a chance to listen to a 550 but I lived with the 500 for about 18 months and loved it.I just upgraded to the 1100 and am thrilled!
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