CD Player ranking
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carbonman
It's All About The Music
I would rank the MCD201 very slightly ahead of the MCD205. Here's my commentary from March 18th;
"I finally had a chance to compare the MCD201 and MCD205; the same unbalanced interconnects for each, running into my C45, MC252 and Joseph Audio RM25XL's.
My MCD201 is 8 months old and has always worked silently with no operating issues like we’ve beat to death on this forum. My “new” MCD205 (thanks, Firemen!) is less than 3 years old and has no strange noises or function issues. My problem with getting it sending music to my system when it was unpacked must have been from a static discharge to the microprocessors when being shipped and/or unpacked. It works perfectly now.
I used 3 pairs of CDs to compare the players; Jeff Beck, “You Had It Coming”, Peter Gabriel, “Up” and Massive Attack, “Mezzanine”.
The MCD201 is a better sounding player by a small margin, with slightly better bass detail on the odd piece of music. It separates an individual raspy baritone voice in the left channel out of the chorus near the end of "Sky Blue" on Peter Gabriel's CD "Up". Highs are a tiny bit brighter and more detailed and the bottom end has a small edge in detail on the odd piece of music. The MCD201’s top end is very slightly better defined. We're talking small differences; maybe 4% or 5% better performance at the extremes. If I didn't switch back and forth repeatedly, listening for detail and differences, I would not have been able to say which player I was listening to with any confidence.
It's nice to have a changer again. It's also nice to have a CD player that can load, read the TOC and start playing quickly.
It's a testament to the design of the 205 that it compares so favourably to the 201."
I can't comment on the other players in the list because I haven't auditioned them with a view to buying one.
"I finally had a chance to compare the MCD201 and MCD205; the same unbalanced interconnects for each, running into my C45, MC252 and Joseph Audio RM25XL's.
My MCD201 is 8 months old and has always worked silently with no operating issues like we’ve beat to death on this forum. My “new” MCD205 (thanks, Firemen!) is less than 3 years old and has no strange noises or function issues. My problem with getting it sending music to my system when it was unpacked must have been from a static discharge to the microprocessors when being shipped and/or unpacked. It works perfectly now.
I used 3 pairs of CDs to compare the players; Jeff Beck, “You Had It Coming”, Peter Gabriel, “Up” and Massive Attack, “Mezzanine”.
The MCD201 is a better sounding player by a small margin, with slightly better bass detail on the odd piece of music. It separates an individual raspy baritone voice in the left channel out of the chorus near the end of "Sky Blue" on Peter Gabriel's CD "Up". Highs are a tiny bit brighter and more detailed and the bottom end has a small edge in detail on the odd piece of music. The MCD201’s top end is very slightly better defined. We're talking small differences; maybe 4% or 5% better performance at the extremes. If I didn't switch back and forth repeatedly, listening for detail and differences, I would not have been able to say which player I was listening to with any confidence.
It's nice to have a changer again. It's also nice to have a CD player that can load, read the TOC and start playing quickly.
It's a testament to the design of the 205 that it compares so favourably to the 201."
I can't comment on the other players in the list because I haven't auditioned them with a view to buying one.
Great post, Graham. I did the exact same A/B test and found to my ears, through my system(s), the 205 sounded a tad more "vinyl," which I like.
I cannot emphasize enough the coolness of having the changer as well. So well engineered is the 205! Load up five CDs or five different artists, hit "Random," and enjoy the mix! Or use it like you would a single tray CDP if you so choose.
Haven't heard the 861. I'll be keeping my 205s for a long, long time!
I cannot emphasize enough the coolness of having the changer as well. So well engineered is the 205! Load up five CDs or five different artists, hit "Random," and enjoy the mix! Or use it like you would a single tray CDP if you so choose.
Haven't heard the 861. I'll be keeping my 205s for a long, long time!
I was trying to decide between the mcd201 and the MVP 861, the price was the same for me for either one. I chose the mvp 861 because of its ability to also play DVD-audio and its reputation of being a superb SACD and CD player . I did have an issue with it not reading one of my disks; after I did reset everything has been fine. I do not think you can go wrong with any of the player's on your list, you just need to decide what features are important to you.
william.keith
Super Member
I have the MCD301 and MCD205. I would not give up the 205.
When the 201 came out, everyone thought it sounded the best, comparing it to vinyl.
Its amusing reading old posts/posters in regard to the 201 vs current opinions.
I love mine, but have not heard any others mentioned above but the MS300. I prefered the 201 and bought it...
Its amusing reading old posts/posters in regard to the 201 vs current opinions.
I love mine, but have not heard any others mentioned above but the MS300. I prefered the 201 and bought it...
Ah, but you will hear the MCD1000 combo real soon.
I still have my 201 and still think it is a great smooth player which by the way never gave me any problems at all. None. Together with my 275 it made beautiful music in my son's room.
The 201 has a volume control on the unit, the others do not.
