#21
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The BUC-1 does occupy one of the MDA's coaxial inputs, but fortunately McIntosh was generous enough to give us three coaxial inputs. I use one for the BUC-1, and one for my Blu-Ray Player's digital output. Since I'm using the balanced AES/EBU connection for my MCD1000, that still leaves me one unoccupied coaxial input, plus three optical inputs. Life is good!
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Pete No. 35 Main System: VPI Prime Signature TT in Rosewood, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Stillpoints LP1 V2, McIntosh: MP100, MR78, MCD1000 Transport on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MDA1000 D/A Converter on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MS750 Music Server, C40, MC501's (3), Soundcraftsmen: DC2215 Eq/AS1000 Real time analyzer, DBX 3BX II, Carver C9, Nakamichi Dragon, Crown SX724, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), Sony XBR55X900E 4K TV, JBL L220A's, JBL B460, Sumo Delilah active crossover, WireWorld Silver Eclipse audio interconnects, WireWorld Starlight and Silver Starlight Coaxial Digital interconnects, Wireworld SuperNova 7 Toslink digital interconnect, WireWorld Aurora 7 and Silver Electra Power cords, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-Ray Player, Bryson BUC-1 USB Converter, Wireworld Gold Starlight XLR Digital interconnect, PS Audio Direct Stream Power Plant 12 on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, PS Audio Dectect, FuruTech Flux-50 NCF Inline Power Filter, Add-Powr Wizard EM Field AC Line conditioner; Stillpoint Ultra SS's under (3) McIntosh MC501 Amplifiers Florida Room/Art Studio System: Harmon Kardon T60 TT/Ortofon 2M Black, McIntosh: MR77, C32, MC2205; Crown Power Line Four, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 Digital to Analog converter, Soundcraftsmen AE2000 Eq, JBL 4313B's, JBL 2241-based Sub, JBL BX63A Active Crossover, Oppo BDP-105D Blu-Ray Player, Samsung 5500 Series 32" Smart TV, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna Master Bedroom System: McIntosh: MX120 Theater processor, MC206 6-channel amplifier; MR74 AM/FM Tuner, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, JVC HM-DH40000U D-Theater Digital VHS, Phase Technology PC80 Towers (now used as stands), (2) JBL 4401's, (1) JBL Studio 6IW speaker, (2) JBL Studio 6IC speakers, Sony XBR-49X900E UHD TV, Panamax 1000 Line Conditioner, (2) JL Audio E110 Subwoofers, Wireworld Solstice speaker cables, Wireworld Aurora Power cords, Wireworld Equinox and Solstice speaker cables and various other flavors of Wireworld and Audioquest cabling Office System: Marantz 150 Tuner, Crown DL 2, Crown EQ 2, Crown SA 2, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), McIntosh MCD7009 (as transport), DBX 3BX Series II, Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray player, JBL 4401's, JL Audio E112 Subwoofer, Samsung 5500 series 32" Smart TV, Wire World Oasis audio interconnects, Wire World Solstice speaker cables, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 DSDse Digital to Analog converter, Wireworld Starlight Coaxial Digital Interconnect, Sennheiser HD800 Headphones, Sennheiser HDVA600 Headphone amp, Wireworld Silver Eclipse Balanced Interconnects, Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB Cable, Add-Powr EAU-2 AC Harmonic resonator High Resolution Source: HP Omen 17" Gaming Laptop |
#22
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Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia |
#23
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I tend to agree-- I may just sit on my 777 (standard) for a bit. Nice write up Emile!
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#24
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Emile,
The only points where I really disagree with you are the use of the internal preamp of the 777 or the MDA1000 ( although you used a separate preamp in this shootout) and their announced quality. I tried and I tried and I tried...with various power amps, various speakers. The results were very very disappointing compared to using a separate preamp. To my ears, the sound gets constricted, the image collapses, micro and macro dynamics are frustrating, there is a terrific loss of weight and density of the music. They both actually perform like budget preamps. But even a little Linn Kollector would be much better to me. Preamps used are : Shindo Giscours, Manley 300B, McIntosh C45 and C48, Electrocompaniet EC4.6. I also compared the preamp output of the MDA1000 to my C220 and my C1000P when I had them. To me, those preamps are not "colored" compared to the ones of the 777 and the MDA1000. That is exactly the opposite. They are much more neutral and balanced.
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There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats Albert Schweitzer |
#25
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Nice review, one question I have, how long was the Ayre powered on before the test, these units are notorious for taking a long time to come to life. (even after taking the powercord off for a short time)
My DX-5 takes up to two days before sounding great. Olaf
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Moon 700i V2, dCS Rossini, YG Acoustics Hailey, Aurender N10, Ansuz Mainz D2 |
#26
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It is interesting that the Luxman was found to have a digital edge and a thin midrange. When I heard it in my system it was anything but digital and the midrange was lush, deep and full. Even the 3 professional reviews comment on how full and musical the midrange is and how analog and smooth sounding it is. It just proves that it is all about system matching.
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#27
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You've got to remember that the output stage whether on variable or fixed attenuation on the MDA or the 777 are running the same path. However, you are a staunch member of the Pro-preamp camp. And that is fine. And your own ears like the changes encountered when using with the multitude of pres you have. Good! For me, the Pass was the first pre I actually liked. Nay... loved. It is a superb piece of gear (even with its abysmally slow volume swing). But I could save the $30k and just let the AMR do the duty since all I'd ever need is a single analog in. Now if the MDA had an analog in, this simpleton would be set!
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Main: McIntosh XRT1K MDA1000 MC402 | JL F113 | Bryston BUC-1 | WireWorld Cabling | RGPC1200C | PPP
Office: Bel Canto S300iu 24/96 | KEF LS50 | REL R218 | WW Mini Eclipse | 18 TB Media Server Mobile: McIntosh MX406 MDA5000 MCD4000 MCC420M | JM Lab/Focal Utopia |
#28
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Love these shootouts... Thank You Emile and the Crew.
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#29
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Emile and Co, thank you for so many letters + photos.
I am stiil in love with my DP-777 and happy that I believed in results of your first shootout. |
#30
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You just need to listen to more high end preamps ! Kidding aside with or without a preamp, Life is good !
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There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats Albert Schweitzer Last edited by Jerome W; 06-16-2015 at 03:01 PM. |
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