New MCD12000

[JWJW]

Before plopping down $12k ish for this, I would REALLY need to know who makes the transport Mc is using. My GUESS, probably from a Marantz unit (???).
I would have much rather seen this unit minus the CD and as a stand alone DAC for $3k or $4k less….

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JWJW

Before plopping down $12k ish for this, I would REALLY need to know who makes the transport Mc is using. My GUESS, probably from a Marantz unit (???).
I would have much rather seen this unit minus the CD and as a stand alone DAC for $3k or $4k less….

Jon, Many folks have CD's and SACD's and want a built in transport. If I purchased one I would provide Wilson Pedestals which dampen out all vibrations, a Dragon source power cord, WEL IC's, Diamond USB, and one Niagara 7000 power conditioner for both the MCD12000 and the C-12000. This is reference gear and meant to fully compete with much higher priced gear: Accuphase, Esoteric, Dag, Boulder, AR, etc. By the time you properly outfit the combo you are in the 50K plus range. 3k or 4k is not really relevant.

If I purchased this gear the IC's, cords, isolation devices, and power conditioner would be more expensive by a significant amount than the gear. I would not be concerned about who made the transport. I trust Mac in this regard.

Best

Charles

[Maks]

I would love to have a CDP with a DAC with as many inputs as the MCD12000, I'd be able to consolidate my setup. My MCD500 just doesn't have enough inputs as it is, so for me the transport + DAC is a win. The price tag isn't a win, but that's another story.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Maks

I would love to have a CDP with a DAC with as many inputs as the MCD12000, I'd be able to consolidate my setup. My MCD500 just doesn't have enough inputs as it is, so for me the transport + DAC is a win. The price tag isn't a win, but that's another story.

I've seen a number of gripes here and around over the $12K price....and while that's certainly pricey, it's less than I expected. When I saw a picture of it for the first time, I expected it would be around $15K.

Makes no difference to me, I can't afford it either way...

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by jayvis1

The best DAC is whatever the user's ears and brain are used to. It's the same as vintage tube component fans who can't find any modern amp that sounds as good as their 50-year-old space heater. Upgrades are usually not immediately noticed IMO, unless your brain is trained to believe that the newest and more expensive component HAS to be better in their system. It usually takes quite a while for me to perceive real sonic improvements between modern McIntosh components. I've A/B'd different components and immediately thought I heard a difference, but really couldn't tell if the difference was actually better or not until I played a good portion of my musical library on it.

From your post, I take it that you're a vintage guy. That's cool, and I take your point on the value of consistency/nostalgia. But when that line of reasoning gets applied to modern gear such as a DAC, it flies in the face of most audiophiles' experience.

Most lovers of modern gear have found it easy to improve upon their DACs, amps, speakers, etc. That is not to say every change is good or worthwhile, as you point out. But it is to say that many on this forum would hear a big improvement if they switched from a DA2 to the stand-alone DAC of their choice in the $10-15K range

[jayvis1]

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

From your post, I take it that you're a vintage guy. That's cool, and I take your point on the value of consistency/nostalgia. But when that line of reasoning gets applied to modern gear such as a DAC, it flies in the face of most audiophiles' experience.

Most lovers of modern gear have found it easy to improve upon their DACs, amps, speakers, etc. That is not to say every change is good or worthwhile, as you point out. But it is to say that many on this forum would hear a big improvement if they switched from a DA2 to the stand-alone DAC of their choice in the $10-15K range

You couldn't be more wrong. I'm definitely NOT a "vintage guy" and it's hard to comprehend you'd get that from my post. My posts, like every other one on this forum, are just opinions. Some people just aren't happy unless they're trying the latest high-end toys in their system, which is great for the industry. The majority of us don't have the means for that luxury and are happy to just enjoy music reproduced on their more "modest" systems that have been put together via years of personal listening experiences. No one will ever convince me that a $100k + audio system is a smart investment since the cost for tiny incremental return is so increasingly high. Most who have them will most likely never be satisfied because they're just chasing the dollar sign myth. Again, just my opinion.

[JBT]

If my memory serves me correctly I think I paid 15 grand for the MDA1000 and MCD1000 combo in 2005. Two box system. The MDA1000 is considered one of the best redbook Dacs ever and the MCD is built like a tank. Very nice spinner but it doesn't play SACD. The MDA1000 is still in huge demand on the secondary market .

[jayvis1]

Originally Posted by JBT

If my memory serves me correctly I think I paid 15 grand for the MDA1000 and MCD1000 combo in 2005. Two box system. The MDA1000 is considered one of the best redbook Dacs ever and the MCD is built like a tank. Very nice spinner but it doesn't play SACD. The MDA1000 is still in huge demand on the secondary market .

Yup. MSRP for that combo was $15k back in 2005 and they're going for around $6k for the pair today on the used market. So it's cost you a little over $500/year to enjoy them. Not too bad, I guess.

[Bob Bubeck]

Not to sound rational (Oh, heavens!) about the new MCD12000, but I venture that no one posting here outside the immediate confines of Binghamton, NY has actually listened to the unit.

Bob
__________________________________________________ ________________
Sources: Clearaudio Jubilee MC/Clearaudio Innovation Wood TT w/Universal Arm 9” and Professional Power 24V; MCT500 CD/SACD transport; OPPO 205; NAD C446 Internet Tuner; Nakamichi 670ZX cassette deck. Electronics: MacIntosh C2700 preamp w/DA2 and MC462 power amp. Speakers: Wilson Yvettes with Acoustic Diodes Headphones: MacIntosh MHP 1000 Interconnects: Transparent SBL2 XLR GEN 6 balanced and SSC8 GEN 6 speaker cables; MCT - MCT500 -> C2700.Power cords: Transparent (on preamp, power amp and transport). Surge protected. Record and CD maintenance : Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic RCM; L’Art du Son CD treatment.

[JBT]

I don't think its been released yet. By the end of the Summer I suspect they'll be some reviews floating around.