MS750 vs: Sonos Using FLAC Files Only

[jdandy]

REPRINT: January 2009


The Wireworld Super Nova glass fiber optic cable for my Sonos ZP90 arrived today. I have all of the MS750 FLAC music files networked and available through the Sonos, so I figured this was a good time to do an A/B comparison of the MS750 music server against the Sonos while playing the same FLAC files simultaneously. Both the MS750, and the Sonos ZP90 are connected to the digital inputs on the MCD500 in order to take advantage of the MCD500 dual quad DACs. The MS750 is connected using a Wireworld Silver Starlight 75 ohm coaxial cable, and the Sonos ZP90 is connected using a Wireworld Super Nova glass fiber optic cable.

The A/B testing was performed by starting a chosen music track at the same time on the Sonos and the MS750, then switching between the Coax and Optical inputs on the MCD500. Very straight forward. The levels were identical, so I had no volume increase or decrease issues to deal with when switching between the two sources.

I started with Charles Earland - Blowing The Blues, "Sweet Love". This is a great CD with lots of deep bass from the peddles on a B3 Hammond, and slap bass accompaniment, saxophone, trumpet, B3 Hammond keyboard, and durms. I began by listening to the MS750 output first, and as expected, the MS750 delivered all the dynamics of the performance, deep, thick bass from the B-3 foot peddles, crisp slap bass, the sweet saxophone howls and growls, and the crisp, metallic trumpet riffs. It was all there. Switching to the Sonos it was immediately evident that the sound stage lost some of its depth and width. The overall sound was very good, but not in the same league with the MS750. The B3 Hammond peddle bass notes were not as thick or solid, the saxophones and trumpets lost some sheen, and the drum stick attacks on the skins were not as agressive, or rivetting. Switching back to the MS750 brought back the sound stage, the dynamics, and the detail edges that the Sonos left on the table.

I began a new audio track, a favorite, Chieli Minucci - Got It Goin' On, "Deeper Than Deep". This is a track that will make you sit up and take notice. Lots of solid, driving syth bass, a quick rhythmic beat, guitar, slap bass, synthesizer, and electric piano. The listening results were identical to the previous track. The MS 750 presented a wide sound stage, solid, driving syth bass, ringing slab bass notes, synthesizer keyboard chords floating side to side, and crisp, clear guitar licks. At one point in the tune, Chieli's guitar sounds like a riff from Jimi Hendrix. It's good stuff. Switching back to the Sonos ZP90, the sound stage drew inward, the dynamic peaks lost some definition, and the overall presentation became thinner, with less sense of stimulating life than the MS750 is able to produce in stride.

The Sonos is a good performer. Were I playing the same FLAC files from the MS750 hard drive without A/B comparing against the MS750, I would be satisfied with what I was hearing for all but the critical, or deep listening sessions. Gaining access to the complete FLAC file library on my MS750 through the Sonos is a major plus. I can access all of that music while outside through the ZP120 connected to my outdoor JBL speakers. If I choose to add another ZP90 in my studio, Sonos will provide access to those same MS750 FLAC files while I am down there. This is a big benefit. Would I prefer to listen to the FLAC files through the Sonos instead of the MS750 in my main system? No. The MS750 outperforms the Sonos with greater dymanics, a wider sound stage, and more realistic details. I fully expected this test to bare these results. The quality of McIntosh audio circuit components, power supplies, and design is superior to the Sonos This is not a surprise. What came as a surprise was the Sonos sounds very good playing FLAC files. It just doesn't best the MS750.

[howiebrou]

Another great review Dan. Did you swap connections to see if the optical and coaxial connections and cables made any difference?

howie

[howiebrou]

One more thing Dan. Have ABC ed the three using MS750, Sonos and MCD500 playing the CD itself??

howie

[howiebrou]

How about ABCDEF!!!!!!!

1. MS750 via Coaxial
2. MS750 via Optical
3. Sonos via Coaxial
4. Sonos via Optical
5. MCD500 using cd
6. MCD500 coaxial out back into its own digital in! (will it blow up?)

howie

[jdandy]

Howie.......Thank you for the compliment. Yes, I did swap the glass fiber and the coaxial cable between the MS750 and the Sonos. I heard zero difference. I went back and forth multiple times listening to the same music, and could not pick up on any audible differences between the Wireworld Super Nova glass fiber optic cable and the Wireworld Silver Starlight 75 ohm coaxial cable.

I would direct you to this review for a comparison between the MS750 and the MCD500.
http://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=282

[blacsno]

I wonder then should the Logictech transporter close the gap? When you read the spec over?! I think that would sound very very sweet connected to the MDA1000.


Digital Outputs and Inputs

* Optical, coax, BNC, and XLR digital connectors
* Word clock input for synchronization with an external clock
* Linear-regulated power for all clock paths
* Dedicated high-precision crystal oscillators (no PLL, no resampling)
* Standard IEC-958 (S/PDIF) or AES/EBU encoding
* Optical connector: TOSLINK 660nm
* RCA connector: capacitor-coupled 500mVpp into 75 ohms
* BNC connector: transformer-coupled, 500mVpp into 75 ohms
* XLR connector: 4.7Vpp into 110 ohms
* Sample rates: 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 88.2kHz, 96kHz
* Audio format: linear PCM, 16 or 24 bits per sample
*
Jitter (standard deviation):
o 11ps at oscillator (intrinsic jitter)
o 17ps at DAC
o 35ps at S/PDIF receiver

[jdandy]

blacsno.......Welcome to Audio Aficionado.

I am not familiar with the Logitech transporter. What is it?

[JJinID]

Here you go Dan: Transporter® Wireless Network Music Player: The wireless digital music player audiophiles have been waiting for.

I believe the Transporter might be overkill into a high end DAC like the MDA1000 vs a Squeezebox or Duet unless you wanted to use it for 24/96 files which the Squeezebox won't do. Not sure it would be worth the extra $1700.

However, if I were going to get a Transporter to use as a high end source (using it's analog stage and potentially digital inputs), I would get one of these: http://www.modwright.com/pdf/TransporterMusicServer.pdf

[jbm5483]

Can the 750 be networked at all? I would want access to the flac files from other machines.

[jdandy]

JJinID.......Thank you. That is a very interesting device.