Which has a better DAC? MDA 200 or MCD 600.

[Banter]

Can some of you technical brains help me out please. Currently I have MCD 600 SACD/CD player. I am using its DAC via coaxial connection to Aurender streamer. I am contemplating getting the new MDA 200 DAC. My pre-amp is C1100. Love it, but it has no DAC. There is no chance of listening them side by side. So have to decide from the specs only. So, on paper who has a better DAC?

MDA 200:

The DA2 is powered by a next generation, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). This audiophile-grade DAC features improved dynamic range and improved total harmonic distortion. The DA2 supports high resolution digital audio playback, as the USB input supports native playback of up to DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, while the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.

MCD 600:

Enjoy hours of listening pleasure with the MCD600 SACD/CD Player. At the heart of the MCD600 is a newly designed digital circuit highlighted by a new premium 8-channel, 32-bit PCM/DSD digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The DAC is used in Quad Balanced mode, with 4 DAC channels allocated to each of the left and right audio channels, resulting in truly exceptional sound reproduction. All PCM signals are up-sampled up to 32-bit/384kHz.

[W9TR]

McIntosh uses various incarnations of the ESS Sabre delta-sigma DAC components in what they call a quad balanced arrangement, where alternate DAC channels handle the positive and negative sections of the audio signal. Probably an ESS 9028 Pro or ESS 9038. As such there will not be a significant difference in performance between the two.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by W9TR

McIntosh uses various incarnations of the ESS Sabre delta-sigma DAC components in what they call a quad balanced arrangement, where alternate DAC channels handle the positive and negative sections of the audio signal. Probably an ESS 9028 Pro or ESS 9038. As such there will not be a significant difference in performance between the two.

Yep…looks like both use the ESS Sabre ES9028 Pro chip. Unless the analog output section of the MDA200 is an upgrade, your MCD600 is probably going to sound very similar.