MCD500 Replaces MCD301 In Studio

[jdandy]

REPRINT

Go ahead.....roll your eyes, shake your head in disbelief, laugh if you want to. My Mac systems are still going through growing pains. I sat dormant for 13 years with my sound system, so I guess this must be my year to catch up with the new millennium.

My first new source piece after 13 years was the MCD301. It literally trounced my MCD7009 with improved detail, presentation, and dynamics. I was impressed. Then, within one month of the MCD301 purchase, McIntosh released the MCD500. I waited for the reviews to come in from the earliest adopters, then decided to purchase an MCD500 for my main system, and move the MCD301 to my studio system. The MCD500 did not slaughter the MCD301, but certainly bested it in stride, with the added feature of inputs to the new dual quad DACs. This allowed me to route my MCD205 five disc changer through the MCD500 DACs with astonishing results. The MCD205 now has a new life.

The more time I spend listening to the MCD500, the more I realize what an incredible player it is, how fantastic the dual quad DACs sound, and how valuable the digital inputs to the DACs are for external sources. I had been contemplating the MDA1000, but in my mind the MCD500 was a better fit for my purposes, and SACD through the dual quad DACs is nothing short of breathtaking. I made the decision to replace my two month old MCD301 in the studio system with a new MCD500 because of the sound differences, and because I can use the digital inputs to the MCD500's DACs to improve the sound of my Sony 60ES DAT machine.

I took delivery of my new MCD500 today, removed the MCD301 from service in the studio system, and boxed it back up, ready for sale. I made the connections, including fiber optic to my 60ES DAT, and began to listen. The MCD500 has the ability to instantly make you forget you are listening to hardware. The sound is so liquid, so real, so life like, so properly textured that you are immediately drawn into the music, not the machine. The MCD500 is so easy to love. I tried a DAT tape, and again I was completely blown away with the same aspects I just described. My DAT machine sounds like a million bucks. There is no difference between DAT and CD through the MCD500 DACs. What an amazing, awe inspiring SACD/CD player the MCD500 is. It would not surprise me to see this jewel of a player experience a price increase. McIntosh has to know how good this piece of gear is. It is not an MDA1000, but it is so close, and offers dual quad DAC playback of SACD's that the MDA1000 does not. In my opinion, at its present price point, it is a steal.

I guess all that's left is a MS750 for my main system, but the jury is still out on that. It would let me move the MCD205 changer to the studio, where it would still benefit from the MCD500 DACs there. I just don't know how well I would get along with a server. One day I think it's a good idea, and the next day I don't. Like I said, the jury is still out on that one. Right now, with two MCD500 players to enjoy, I'm a happy guy.

[JSCC]

Hi Dan,

Maybe its just me cause I dont find the MS750 as useful as many fellow members here seem to view it to be. I could be outright wrong about this BUT right now, my MS750 is just sitting there while night after night the MCD500 takes centre stage.

I am seriously contemplating to trade it off for a MR88 where it would have some play time clocked unlike the MS750 where the only time being busy was when I started ripping my collection into it and after doing 760 CD's, I dont think I can muster anymore stamina to doing it anymore. Moreover, each time the Album Art appears on the LCD TV, it turns me off unlike where the iTunes seems so lively and crispy clear.

Maybe to rekindle my interest in the MS750, a "nutty thought" of re-doing another round of ripping of the CDs and hopefully, this time, I learn how to master putting the right CD's good looking album art into it. But the thought of having to do this for close to a month gives me the shivers.

I suppose the easier way out is to trade it off for the MR88 when the International Version is available. Dan, am I wrong to think this way? Your advise, or anyone here in the forum would be useful to me. Thanks.

[two dot]

Yes, folks... the MCD 500 really is THAT good!

[1KW]

My $399 Sonos and laptop give me a wireless music server which going through the MCD500 works and sounds great. I know I sound like a broken record. Jerry, If you don't use the MS750 sell it before the next MSxx comes out. As far as a tuner, did I mention that the Sonos plays FM, Sirius satellite radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Last FM, etc. Get a sonos and your done.

[jdandy]

Jerry.......I have to admit, The most use my MS750 has gotten was when I was ripping CD's into it. Nine days of ripping, including one all-nighter and half the next day before I ran out of steam. Since then I have enjoyed it for a few hours here, sometimes at dinner time, and occasionally on the outdoor speakers when I have been doing yardwork. Like you, when I get into the sweet spot between the speakers, the MCD500 is the star of the show.

[JSCC]

Dan/2uberoller,

I have made up my mind. Of goes the MS750 and into my pocket the monies until the MR88 International Version is available. No matter how minute the differences are between the MCD500 vs MS750, the reality is the MCD500 produces music in a way that renders the MS750 inability to capture the "spirit" render it to being a white elephant. Dan's thorough and logical comparison between these two gears cemented my decision.

Cheers!

['cisco]

Originally Posted by 2uberoller

My $399 Sonos and laptop give me a wireless music server which going through the MCD500 works and sounds great. I know I sound like a broken record. Jerry, If you don't use the MS750 sell it before the next MSxx comes out. As far as a tuner, did I mention that the Sonos plays FM, Sirius satellite radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Last FM, etc. Get a sonos and your done.

+1 there David

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by JSCC

Hi Dan,

Maybe its just me cause I dont find the MS750 as useful as many fellow members here seem to view it to be. I could be outright wrong about this BUT right now, my MS750 is just sitting there while night after night the MCD500 takes centre stage.

I am seriously contemplating to trade it off for a MR88 where it would have some play time clocked unlike the MS750 where the only time being busy was when I started ripping my collection into it and after doing 760 CD's, I dont think I can muster anymore stamina to doing it anymore. Moreover, each time the Album Art appears on the LCD TV, it turns me off unlike where the iTunes seems so lively and crispy clear.

Maybe to rekindle my interest in the MS750, a "nutty thought" of re-doing another round of ripping of the CDs and hopefully, this time, I learn how to master putting the right CD's good looking album art into it. But the thought of having to do this for close to a month gives me the shivers.

I suppose the easier way out is to trade it off for the MR88 when the International Version is available. Dan, am I wrong to think this way? Your advise, or anyone here in the forum would be useful to me. Thanks.

I disagree Jerry. To me having all of the Music I listen to in one location ( I do not load the mistake purchase CD"s) on my MS-300 , for access in my two channel room via the MCD-500's DAC's , and the same music on the 300 made available to my whole house system using the SonoS interface, is almost a perfect solution. Yes some of the artwork could look better. Yes, I agree with most everyone that the sound of the 300's FLAC files are only about 96% as good thru the 500's DAC's as it is listening to the actual CD. Yet most of my listening is not lights out, eyes closed, deep listening. For that, it is the 500. For most everything else it is the 300 via the 500's DAC's.

As far as tuners, I have no interest in getting into that debate.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by 2uberoller

My $399 Sonos and laptop give me a wireless music server which going through the MCD500 works and sounds great. I know I sound like a broken record. Jerry, If you don't use the MS750 sell it before the next MSxx comes out. As far as a tuner, did I mention that the Sonos plays FM, Sirius satellite radio, Pandora, Rhapsody, Last FM, etc. Get a sonos and your done.

Makes perfect sense. Now that i have a mcd500, sonos is the next stop!! cant wait to control my music from the iPhone, how sweet is that!!

[Vintage Pete]

Congrats again Dan...I obviously went in the wrong business...

Pete