AudioAficionado.org - Any MDA200 Owners?

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllinoisCheesehead (Post 1072914)

Thanks, Charles! It was definitely a somewhat impulsive splurge. I was considering the upgrade, just hadn’t intended to do it quite so soon. But I walked into my dealer to just talk to them about it, and they had just taken one out of the box and had set it up in their reference system. I played with it for a couple hours, and took it home that night. I just turned 50, so this was a bit of a milestone birthday “happy birthday to me” moment…

I’m curious about your thoughts on your D1100 DAC compared to the MDA200. I saw someone mention in a separate post here that the D1100 is considered a reference level DAC. Where does the MDA200 fall in comparison? I think they both use Sabre chips. 9018 in the D1100 and 9028 pro in the DA2 module, but I honestly don’t know the differences other than the 9028 is newer. Which doesn’t necessarily mean better. And then of course there are all the other components that go into the overall unit. Power supply, output stage, etc.

IC, the MDA200 is not a true reference DAC. If Mac were to build a stand alone reference DAC it would be similar to the MCD12000, which is meant to be the companion to your C12000.

If you notice the stand alone phono pre is the MP1100, which was meant to be the companion to the C-1100 pre as is also the D1100. Essentially, the C12000/MCD12000 is the replacement for the C1100/D1100/MP1100, both of which are McIntosh reference gear.

Unlike many, I choose not to chase the latest chip or discrete DAC design because I believe the key is in the details, i.e., the overall design of the total gear involved. I think your question should be: "What is the sonic difference between an MCD12000/C12000 and an MDA200/C12000.

According to my Mac friend who is an engineer, the MCD12000 has a better DAC than the D1100 and is dual mono, i.e., a true reference tube DAC built by McIntosh. I believe this combo to be my choice for the best vinyl/digital on the market today.

I believe that an MDA200/C12000 combo competitive with my gear: D1100/MCT500. As to which one I would ultimately choose, I would choose mine for several reasons. The D1100 is a true reference quality Mac preamp and the DAC is also of reference quality. I have no interest in vinyl.

If I owned a C1100/D1100/MP1100 combo I would not be envious of the C12000/MCD12000, but I would choose the latter if forced to choose.

This brings me back to your original question about the MDA200 not being a true reference. I believe that you have two choices: go with your original gut instinct: C12000/MDA200 or upgrade to the current true reference: C12000/MCD12000. A replacement for the D1100 is not coming anytime soon, if ever.

I'm content with the choice I made. I believe that you can't go wrong with either of the above choices. What has happened to you has happened to every serious audiophile. You bought a piece of gear that is a true reference that you did not plan on buying. But there it was in all its splendor. You took it home. The rest is history. It's a beauty. It really is, but it's also a hot potato because it has put you on the path of upgrade disease. I say this tongue in cheek but also quite seriously.

Of course the current true Mac reference will sound better, but the MDA200 is a fine stand alone McIntosh DAC, totally compatible with your beautiful C12000. Either way (choice) only your wallet can loose. :yes:

Best

Charles

p.s.

Congratulations on your 50th. We all need that excuse to justify our over the top purchase, don't we?