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MCD/MDA with and without C46

jesse111

jesse111

Active Member
My vinyl buddy came over and we spent some time A/B-ing with and without. We used Steely Dan's Aja CD as reference due to the familiarity to both of us.

Our findings were very similar. With the C46 in the system we found it very listenable. Fatigue would be a non issue. Hours of listening would be a pleasure. Warm and detailed is the sound we heard.

However, without the C46 the difference was immediately apparent. Added air surrounding the instruments resulting in, or a possible result of, better and more focused imaging. The sound stage appeared more up front and resolute direct from the MDA to the 501’s. The C46 seemed to add depth and a measure of warmth, but we both felt this may be a result of a less focused image and definition. The MDA gave the instruments a life and realism and focused position that we felt was simply unattainable by the C46.

While I can definitely hear how some may prefer the C46 for the versatility and sonic signature in their system, it is unanimous with us that the MDA direct to the amps is by far a superior sound. The imaging is almost indescribable. The detail/warmth combination is perfect and beyond anything else I’ve ever heard. The bass with the MDA was more accurate and robust. Simply put, everything sounded better with the MDA. The MDA MSRP is around 8 grand. It should and does out perform the C46. Our preference of the MDA by no means reflects a negative view of the C46. The C46 is remarkable piece of gear.

The musical delivery of the MDA is just something that has to be heard.
 

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Jerry Seh's awesome MCD/MDA with his very cool WP7's
 

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Great review and pics. :)

I wish I could have brought over my C1000 to add a slightly different flavor to your test and see how it compares.

Victor
 
Since the MDA1000 is fully balanced as are the MC501s you will need a fully balanced preamp to keep up. This means the C200 or C1000. If you are very critical and have high resolution speakers the C1000 is the best choice.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
Victor said:
Great review and pics. :)

I wish I could have brought over my C1000 to add a slightly different flavor to your test and see how it compares.

Victor
Click to expand...


Yes I wish you could have too, I'm sure it is an extremely neutral and excellent piece. My buddy and I talked about the C1000 and we agree with Ron C that it would no doubt be a supurb addition for multiple high end sources. Unfortunately we don't have one to play with.
 
jesse111 said:
My vinyl buddy came over and we spent some time A/B-ing with and without. We used Steely Dan's Aja CD as reference due to the familiarity to both of us.

Our findings were very similar. With the C46 in the system we found it very listenable. Fatigue would be a non issue. Hours of listening would be a pleasure. Warm and detailed is the sound we heard.

However, without the C46 the difference was immediately apparent. Added air surrounding the instruments resulting in, or a possible result of, better and more focused imaging. The sound stage appeared more up front and resolute direct from the MDA to the 501’s. The C46 seemed to add depth and a measure of warmth, but we both felt this may be a result of a less focused image and definition. The MDA gave the instruments a life and realism and focused position that we felt was simply unattainable by the C46.


While I can definitely hear how some may prefer the C46 for the versatility and sonic signature in their system, it is unanimous with us that the MDA direct to the amps is by far a superior sound. The imaging is almost indescribable. The detail/warmth combination is perfect and beyond anything else I’ve ever heard. The bass with the MDA was more accurate and robust. Simply put, everything sounded better with the MDA. The MDA MSRP is around 8 grand. It should and does out perform the C46. Our preference of the MDA by no means reflects a negative view of the C46. The C46 is remarkable piece of gear.

The musical delivery of the MDA is just something that has to be heard.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the review.

What amp stands are those, and is there a web site for them.

Indy
 
Indy said:
Very Nice pic's.

What racks/stands are those? Is there a web site?

Indy
Click to expand...

Hi Indy,

The equipment rack is "no brand & Made In Singapore" - solid steel poles, milled, grind and polished to a shine. The platforms are solid 1 inch thick acrylic, diamond polished to a shine. MBL holds the worldwide distributership. You can check with your local MBL dealer. The MBL advertisements in Stereophile, TAS, all showed the equipments sittting on them. Its about S$550 per platform (1 platform and 4 standard 8 inch high poles). The ones that holds the MC501 are 12 inches and costs more. The MCD1000 sits on a floating platform where it is flexible and supposedly "immune" the equipment from any frequency disturbances.

I can check with the local agency if they do export if you want me to.

Regards, :yes:
 
Jesse, thanks for sharing your findings with the MDA vs C46! I am not one bit surprised at the results given the resolution capabilities of the MDA. Given the level of performance the 800D and 501's can deliver, I understand why you heard and prefer the MCD/MDA running the show without the help of the C46's sonic signature, pleasant as it is getting in the way. Thanks again for taking your time to experiment and report your findings!
 
Jerry Seh said:
Hi Indy,

The equipment rack is "no brand & Made In Singapore" - solid steel poles, milled, grind and polished to a shine. The platforms are solid 1 inch thick acrylic, diamond polished to a shine. MBL holds the worldwide distributership. You can check with your local MBL dealer. The MBL advertisements in Stereophile, TAS, all showed the equipments sittting on them. Its about S$550 per platform (1 platform and 4 standard 8 inch high poles). The ones that holds the MC501 are 12 inches and costs more. The MCD1000 sits on a floating platform where it is flexible and supposedly "immune" the equipment from any frequency disturbances.

I can check with the local agency if they do export if you want me to.

Regards, :yes:
Click to expand...


Jerry, thanks for the info. I'll check out the USA firm first. - Indy
 
Hi Indy,

Take your time. Buy something you love! If U need any help on the "no brand" stuff, just let me know.

Regards
 
Looks very,very nice Jesse, impressive!

I could only imagine what a C-1000 would sound like in that splendid system of yours!!!
Even an entry level vinyl rig could prove to be very interesting...just for fun.

I`m just kidding on the C-1000 (what a beauty that thing is though) wow.
Maybe you guys can plug in a turntable somewhere somehow.

Steve
 
a&scm said:
Looks very,very nice Jesse, impressive!

I could only imagine what a C-1000 would sound like in that splendid system of yours!!!
Even an entry level vinyl rig could prove to be very interesting...just for fun.

I`m just kidding on the C-1000 (what a beauty that thing is though) wow.
Maybe you guys can plug in a turntable somewhere somehow.

Steve
Click to expand...

Thanks Steve,
Eventhough my vinyl buddy says my digital system is the closest he's ever heard to analog, we still would like to give it a spin one day. If I could get my hands on a C1000 just for a few hours we'd do it for sure. If that ever happens I'll definately post it.
 
You guys are killing me! My MDA is being built this month so I should have it in early November. I can't wait! :banana:
 
Logic would say it should be minimal, but unless you do some A/B there's no way to no for sure. But the fact is, if anything at all is in the signal path there is going to be some kind of change. Some may like the change some may not. Some may not be able to tell. In my case with the C46 in the path, it was a very distinct and immediately noticable change. But the C46 is not fully balanced.

Go direct if at all possible is my opinion. But I'm a 2 channel music only guy. If I had to have a pre, I'd probably opt for the C1000.

Nevertheless, there has to be a DAC somewhere. So get the best available. Having the MDA is the best choice no matter where it has to go in a system.
 
Jesse, your findings pushed me to purchase the MDA1K for my system. Let's just say that I very much agree that using it by itself to drive the 501's is indeed the best way to extract the absolute best performance out of the CD's and 501's. Thanks again!
 
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