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  #11  
Old 02-16-2022, 11:06 AM
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Ankkor Ankkor is offline
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I’ve come to the opinion that DAC’s are complicated to the point that McIntosh is ceding this business on the ultra high end. You can get a useable DA2 in their midrange stuff but I don’t think we will see a stand alone DAC from them. Too many really sophisticated DAC’s out there for them to sell decent volumes. We will see.
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  #12  
Old 02-16-2022, 11:37 AM
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Jean-Marc jmajma Jean-Marc jmajma is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Pete View Post
Jean-Marc jmajma....the MDA1000 may, or may not play files above 96k correctly. Honestly, for me this is not a problem. When I do play hi-res files (which isn't all that often), it is from my laptop (using a Bryston BUC-1 USB converter) through JRiver. I simply set the JRiver config to output everything at 96k max. I really can't hear the difference between 96k and 192k on my DAC's that will decode it. In fact, I stopped buying 192k FLAC files from HD Tracks. Our late friend Dan was of the same opinion; he had stopped spending the extra money on 192k FLAC files.

Nothing beats the musicality of the MDA1000....I hope to hear some sort of update from the repair center today.
That's exactly my feeling, Pete.

For now, for the very few HiRes files, I use my BlueSound Node 2i's internal DAC which I find to be excellent by itself; I too use the Node 2i as a streamer, and through my Pioneer N7A AE internal DAC which accepts 192 files ( two DAC ESS SABRE ES9016 with 8 channels, working in parallel mode).

I did with my buddy (musician and audiophile) blind tests for comparison between all these DACs (MDA, Node, Pioneer) and between 44,&/96/192 files and we cannot find big differences.

hope you'll get very soon back your MDA.
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  #13  
Old 02-16-2022, 11:40 AM
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Jean-Marc jmajma Jean-Marc jmajma is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBT View Post
I have the same combination MDA1000 and MCD1000 in my bedroom system and they're one of the best Redbook CD combinations that ever existed. I stream CD quality music via Sonos and the sound is excellent. For my high res downloads the combination of Aurender N10 and D1100 Dac is hard to beat. I don't think digital sound can get any better.
Thank you.

I wanted to go the D1100 way but I'm very hesitant (price, integration in my Mc1000 setup etc).

I wanted to test the dCS BARTOK too, and BART's suggestion: GRIMM AUDIO and MOLA MOLA Tambaqui. But not sure I would put that amount of money in digital.

I need first to listen to these.

For now I'm in golf playing, started 1 year ago, and I love it very much...but it takes much of my time (playing 2 at 4 times in a week).

Last edited by Jean-Marc jmajma; 02-16-2022 at 11:51 AM.
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  #14  
Old 02-16-2022, 11:59 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jean-Marc jmajma View Post
Thank you.

I wanted to go the D1100 way but I'm very hesitant (price, integration in my Mc1000 setup etc).

I wanted to test the dCS BARTOK too, and BART's suggestion: GRIMM AUDIO and MOLA MOLA Tambaqui. But not sure I would put that amount of money in digital.
Agree you can go down a rabbit hole very quickly with DACs. My opinion (and that's all it is) is also informed by having a couple BlueSound Nodes. My listening spaces in the new house are not bad, but not really optimal either, so that informs my opinion as well.

Pete, good luck with your unit.
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Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil
Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151
Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear)
Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center
Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable
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  #15  
Old 02-16-2022, 10:30 PM
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Pete, wishing you a healthy and speedy recovery.
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Great Room: 2 Channel System
Amplifier: McIntosh MC312
Preamp: McIntosh C22 Mk V (Gold Lion Tubes)
DAC/CD/SACD: McIntosh MCD12000
Streaming Source: Aurender N10; UpTone Audio EtherREGEN Switch; AfterDark Project Clayx Giesemann OCXO 10MHz Reference Queen Master Clock w/ Black Modernize LPS x 2 Giesemann OCXO 10M Edition
Speakers: Canton Reference 3K
Power: 2x Dedicated 20 Amp Breakers + Whole House Surge Protection
Power Outlets: PS Audio Power Ports
Power Resonators: ADD-Powr Sorcer x4 (at service panel); ADD-Powr Wizard; ADD-Powr eau2; ADD-Powr Symphony (in network closet)
Power Distribution: Shunyata Denali 6000/S v2
Power Cables: Shunyata Delta v2 XC (Denali v2 to dedicated 20A Outlet); Shunyata Venom NR v10 (Amp to Denali v2); Shunyata Delta v2 NR (Preamp to Denali v2); Shunyata Alpha v2 NR (DAC to Denali v2); Shunyata Venom NR v12 (Wizard to dedicated 20A Outlet); Shunyata Venom V14 Digital (Streamer and Master Clock LPS to Denali v2)
Speaker Cables: Shunyata Sigma v1; Shunyata Sigma v1 Jumpers
Audio Cables: Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 XLR (Preamp to Amp); Wireworld Gold Eclipse 8 XLR (DAC Tube and Solid State Outputs to Preamp); Shunyata Sigma USB (Streamer to DAC); Shunyata Sigma v2 AES/EBU (Streamer to DAC); Shunyata Venom Ethernet (Wall Wart to EtherREGEN); Shunyata Sigma Ethernet (EtherREGEN to Streamer); Wireworld Platinum Starlight 8 75-Ohm BNC (AfterDark Queen Master Clock to EtherREGEN); Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 S/PDIF (Streamer to DAC)
Isolation: Stillpoints Ultra SS (Under Speakers); Stillpoints Ultra Mini's (Under Preamp and DAC); HRS E1 Isolation Platform w/G7 Feet and G-Links (Under Amp and Master Clock/LPS); HRS E1 Isolation Platform w/G7 Feet (Under Streamer); Shunyata DarkField Suspension System and DarkField Mini Elevators (Under Speaker Cables); IsoAcoustics Iso-Pucks (Under EtherREGEN)
Noise Reduction: HRS DPX-14545 Damping Plate (On Amp and Preamp); HRS DPII-14545 Damping Plate (On DAC)
Grounding: Shunyata Alpha v3 CGC/SGC Ground Cable (DAC to Denali v2); Shunyata Delta v2 CGC/SGC Ground Cable (EtherREGEN to Denali v2)
Rack: Quadraspire SVT


Sun Room
Wireless Speaker: McIntosh RS200
Power Resonator: ADD-Powr Symphony Pro
Power Distribution: Shunyata Venom PS8 w/ Venom Defender
Power Cables: Shunyata Delta NR (Venom PS8 to Wall Outlet); Wireworld Silver Electra 7 (RS200 to Venom PS8)
Isolation: IsoAcoustics Iso-Pucks
Rack: Pangea Audio Vulcan
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  #16  
Old 02-17-2022, 01:02 AM
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Pete, it's always a disappointment when a cherished piece breaks. I'm hoping for a quick resolution.

Best

Charles
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  #17  
Old 02-17-2022, 11:02 PM
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Hi Pete, I'm also sorry to hear about your DAC. It is a special one for sure.
If there was sound coming from both channels, albeit with lower db, perhaps the
issue is with an old cap or a resistor, rather than a more difficult to source component.
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  #18  
Old 02-17-2022, 11:43 PM
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Thank you Gentlemen....

Sal....my suspicion is a failed or failing component in the analog output section. It could be a transistor, or a resistor or capacitor as you say. There are a good number of each in the output section. However, I could see nothing suspicious by visual inspection. I don't think the problem is in the digital side of the unit, and it probably is something relatively simple.

I was told the tech was working with McIntosh support late this afternoon, and would have an estimate very soon. I should (and hope) to know more in the morning. They know I am most anxious to get it back, and also to hear about the diagnosis.
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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
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  #19  
Old 02-19-2022, 09:22 AM
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As an update....the news seems to be on the dismal side at the moment, though it could change.

What I have so far is:

1. The problem is thought to be not to be in the audio output/amplifier stage, but rather upstream from it.

2. As it was explained to me, the design of the MDA1000 is such that the op-amps are current driven, rather than voltage driven. This makes things much more difficult to measure, isolate, and troubleshoot. This being said, the thinking seems to be heading in the direction that the best solution may be to replace the entire main board. This will obviously be much more expensive than effectuating a simple repair to the board. There will also be a 4 to 6 week lead time to obtain the new board from McIntosh once ordered.

However....

3. As of yesterday afternoon, there was still a back and forth discussion going between McIntosh support and the repair center as to whether it will be possible to repair the board without replacing the whole thing. The tech was awaiting an email response from McIntosh as of yesterday.

At this point, I'm in limbo at least until Monday when a decision will likely be made. I'm not wild about the estimated cost if we need to replace the board. However, this cost is still WAY less than the cost of procuring a replacement MDA1000 in good condition. And, I'm certainly not fond of the waiting period.

A piece of my soul is missing with this component absent from my system...
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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
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  #20  
Old 02-19-2022, 09:28 AM
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FreddieFerric FreddieFerric is offline
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Really sorry the diagnosis isnt better Pete. The repair tech trying to isolate and repair pc board I/C, etc., is a tricky process. I went down that road once before and all the efforts to bring the board back to life failed. Ended up ordering a new one. Had to eat the cost of the new board and the cost of the failed repair (their time being their money).

What really worries me is they replace the motherboard and the unit still doesn't work. Then what?
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