#41
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I am interested in the MC3500. I love the musical experience tubes provide, but I also enjoy the power and clarity that McIntosh's quad-balanced designs offer.
If my memory is correct, you have both in the system, where you can switch back to the MC1.25s if you wish. Have you switched back to the MC1.25s for fun, or are you so pleased with the power the MC3500 offers that you feel you do not have to? I ask because my current system is doing double duty with movies, and the MC75 does have the muscle for the sound levels I like to hit. To get back on track, I see where the MCD12000 makes sense with the C12000 system.
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Solid State System: PS Audio Dectet - Innous Zen MK3 - Schiit Audio Yggdrasil - WireWorld Eclipse 8 Cables - McIntosh C48 & MC452 - Sonus Faber Guarneri Tradition - JL Audio F110v1 (2) - Stillpoints Tube System: PS Audio Dectet - McIntosh MR88 - Innous ZenMini - Chord Qutest - WireWorld Eclipse 8 Cables - McIntosh C22V & MC275 - Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor - Stillpoints & IsoAcoustics Gaia III |
#42
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McMan, in my system most of the difference is in the bass. I have been giving my 3500's a break and have been recently using my 1.25's. In my system I can make my 1.25's sound very similar to my 3500's by changing the crossover slope to 12 dB/octave. Compared to the 3500's at 18 dB/octave the 1.25's lack the drive and pace of my 3500's.
I still give the 3500's the edge in the mids and highs but its not much. I want to emphasize that Mac bass is not smeared or fat. I can't stand that kind of bass. You can have tight over damped bass with superb resolution, no question. However, I want natural bass with great resolution that sounds like real bass. You get this with a 3500. I went with a D1100/MCT500/3500 trio. I am extremely satisfied with my amplification, although I guess I'd prefer the other trio if I had the choice. Best Charles p.s. I just posted my system in my previous post. Last edited by Charles; 11-25-2022 at 12:49 PM. |
#43
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Thank you for sharing your experience with both amplifiers.
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Solid State System: PS Audio Dectet - Innous Zen MK3 - Schiit Audio Yggdrasil - WireWorld Eclipse 8 Cables - McIntosh C48 & MC452 - Sonus Faber Guarneri Tradition - JL Audio F110v1 (2) - Stillpoints Tube System: PS Audio Dectet - McIntosh MR88 - Innous ZenMini - Chord Qutest - WireWorld Eclipse 8 Cables - McIntosh C22V & MC275 - Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor - Stillpoints & IsoAcoustics Gaia III |
#44
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I think the target audience can be a person who only does digital as source.
I only listen via streaming and yet currently own MA12000. Only the USB input is currently used among plethora inputs that MA12000 support. With similar money, one can do MDA200 + MC462 and you get more powerful and separate amp that is more upgradeable and much simpler preamp electronic. In my case - I would probably choose the above over MA12000 - the only question is whether MDA200 preamp section is good enough. |
#45
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Best Charles |
#46
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I agree with Charles's message that a C22 is a good mate for the MDA200--I think this would also be equivalent to a C2700. Although preamps such as the C22 seem like added cost and complexity for a digital-only system, I believe a good preamp such as the C22 or C2700 delivers a much richer sound than a DAC with a volume control direct to a power amp
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Clearaudio Ovation with Tracer Dynavector KARAT 17DX Naim Uniti Core Schiit Yggdrasil McIntosh C22/MC275 Wilson TuneTots B&W DB3D Nordost QKore/QBase/Frey 2 Transparent Super IsoAcoustics GAIA II Stax SR-009S with SRM-700T |
#47
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Best Charles __________________________________________________ _ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest New gear on order: Most recent updates: Latest is the last one posted: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals; heating and cooling completely reworked and reinsulated resulting in a much quieter, cooler, and more efficient room (cost about 10,000.00). McIntosh MCT 500 SACD/CD transport; Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode for XVX Chronosonic; WEL Signature digital Coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection replacing the optical connection; New plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes; Thor is now off my floor; MC3500MKII mono block amps (2) and two custom granite slabs; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover; new 75-ohm multi-directional FM antenna for tuner Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII mono blocks (2), McIntosh MC1.25KW’s (3). All amps set on floor on custom made granite slabs Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100 Sources: McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD Transport, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23) Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; custom made Wilson Acoustic Diodes Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie; custom plinth of X material with Wilson Acoustic Diode feet; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); WEL Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from ActivXO crossover to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box Isolation: Wilson Pedestals for D1100; MVP881 BR player; MCT500 transport; MR87 tuner; plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump. Last edited by Charles; 12-01-2022 at 12:35 PM. |
#48
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Bumparoo on this thread. I've been contemplating some changes (again). Any owners of the MDA200 care to chime in? I still have a Mc D100, but moved over to a W4S 10th Anniversary DAC-2 which is my current DAC and has been for quite some time. Great DAC, zero complaints but I kind of want to go back to a full Mc stack. This would also allow me to eventually get something like a used MCT450 to use the MDA200 with SACDs. Side note, if anyone is selling an MCT450 or 500, hit me up.
Anyhow, that's all more detail than necessary, anyone have some feedback on this DAC? This would be purely used as a DAC fed into my C2300. Last edited by Maks; 09-05-2023 at 08:36 PM. |
#49
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Would the MDA200/MCT 500/C-22 combo be of reference quality comparable to a MCD12000/C-12000 combo? IMO, no, but close especially if in a less than reference system, and I think competitive with much more expensive gear where the manufacturers redesign virtually everything from the ground up, when there is an upgrade. Finally, I want to say that there are well established manufacturers (Dag, dCS, and ARC would be three) that have followed a similar approach to Mac. Best Charles
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__________________________________________ Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest Amps: McIntosh: MC3500MKII (2); MC1.25KW (2); MC2.1KW An (1) Preamp: C-12000 An Sources: MCD12000 An; MVP881; MVP851; MR87; Marantz 510LV; ASUS laptop Speakers: Wilson Chronosonic XVX Sub-woofer: Wilson Thor’s Hammer; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover Cables main system: AQ: WEL Signature speaker cables; 24’ balanced IC; balanced 1-meter Dragon IC ; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable; digital coaxial cable; Diamond optical (2); Diamond USB; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords); Thunder HC power cord Cables subwoofer system: AQ: Redwood speaker cable; Wolf balanced subwoofer IC; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; Hurricane HC (3); Hurricane Source (1); Dragon HC (1) power cords Power conditioners: AQ Niagara 7000 (1); Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines. Isolation: Wilson Pedestals; Bassocontinuo McIntosh Ultra Feet; X-material plinth Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes Last edited by Charles; 09-07-2023 at 12:54 PM. |
#50
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Charles, thanks. I've got an MCD500 today, since I picked up some SACDs I just use the analog outs on it now which are fine, it's got a nice enough DAC in it IMO. The MDA200 is more future proofing with a compatible Mc CDP or transport. I've been tempted by the C2700 to consolidate all of this into one box, but I'm happy w/my C2300 as is. I'm in no hurry, so we'll see what happens.
Last edited by Maks; 09-08-2023 at 12:54 AM. |
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