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D1100 - Thoughts please? The more I look, the more I like ...

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Hey Joe....I've been thinking the same line as you. No vinyl for me and pair it with my MC152 would be all digital. Need to unload my C47 some time next year. :)
 
joeinid said:
I love the way you think. Too bad I’m not into vinyl like I wanted to be. I know I love the sound better but digital is getting better all the time and so convenient.
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If you ever find yourself in Phoenix, come by and I'll play some tape for you that will absolutely blow your mind . . .
 
damacman said:
If you ever find yourself in Phoenix, come by and I'll play some tape for you that will absolutely blow your mind . . .
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Thank for for the invite. A friend in FL absolutely swears his tape setup blows away EVERYTHING, except maybe his MSB Select II (?) the top MSB digital.
 
joeinid said:
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/ca/reviews/mcintosh-d1100-digital-preamplifier-dac-review-part- two-r667/

It’s on the Computer Audiophile CASH list, what do YOU think about it?

Thank you!
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For what it's worth, my contact from the U.K. who helped design some of the latest DACs for Marantz is never impressed by digital preamplifiers that are priced similarly to the D1100, especially if they don’t have tone or balance controls. He recommends using an external DAC like the AudioQuest DragonFly (Red). And with all the complaints McIntosh is/was having with their firmware, I decided it was in my best interest to buy a C70. :)
 
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SA7I said:
For what it's worth, my contact from the U.K. who helped design some of the latest DACs for Marantz is never impressed by digital preamplifiers that are priced from $500 to $7,000, especially if they don’t have tone or balance controls. He recommends using an external DAC like the AudioQuest DragonFly (Red). And with all the complaints McIntosh is/was having with their firmware, I decided it was in my best interest to buy a C70. :)
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I have a decent DAC now, a Bricasti M1SE. But am getting a little itchy for a change. I need to listen to other dacs more, then decide.
 
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joeinid said:
https://www.computeraudiophile.com/ca/reviews/mcintosh-d1100-digital-preamplifier-dac-review-part- two-r667/

It’s on the Computer Audiophile CASH list, what do YOU think about it?

Thank you!
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I mulled the D1100 and found a used one for 4K. Sometimes the D1100 seems to over emphasize some details but in pleasing way. Up to that point it was best DAC I ever heard i decided to go another route.

So I went with the PS Audio DSD in black and it is awesome with Snowmass FPGA firmware and is a A plus Stereophile pick . I recall you had issues with your fatigue from the MC1.25K. The internal DAC on my MX150 got grating on poor sources. The DirectStream is amazing any source and has variable volume to match Pre amp.

So far loving the realism of DirectStream and soundstage beyond 4 walls plus pin point imaging.

The inoperative features with your C1100 sure are a plus with D1100. You can trial a DirectStream no cost 30 days. Both are great. I like My choice but bet I would also like D1100 too. PS audio firmware upgrades are a plus though hard to imagine sonic improvement. The Ted Smith FPGA tweaks are like a new DAC every year. So may scratch your equipment itches more than once. Or wait for the new PS Audio no holds barred DAC under development two boxes like C1100.
 
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I researched your current Bricasti DAC in you system.

In addition to a single digital input section built around an Analog Devices digital controller called the SHARC DSP, the M1SE has two dedicated analog sections, each with its own Analog Devices 1955 chipset, clock, and power supply. Each clock is synchronized by a SHARC digital signal processor in the digital section. Bricasti claims that this layout, combined with using a higher impedance material for its boards and locating its clocking circuits only millimeters from the dual DACs, produces a clearer signal with lower noise and reduced jitter.

It sounds like a way better implementation of the AD155 based emotiva stealth DAC which I used to run in my main setup. It two used dual AD155s. I loved that DAC for years! No doubt the Bricasti had better analog presp circuits.

In a runoff the McIntosh DAC in my MX150 was a clear winner over by he Emotiva stealth. I think a D1100 would also win you over by an even wider margin. They are real ear candy.
 
So not only looking better :) you think the D1100 would definitely sound better based on its architecture? I’m open to trying a new dac, the D1100 could be fun.

Anything else could be very expensive.
 
Yes I
joeinid said:
So not only looking better :) you think the D1100 would definitely sound better based on its architecture? I’m open to trying a new dac, the D1100 could be fun.

Anything else could be very expensive.
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The ess9018 chip McIntosh uses will give you more formats. I also think it is newer better sounding technology. To my ears better than AD1955 implementation. The AD1955 can bring out details. In my DAC not all were as natural sounding. To me the Mcintosh D1100 DACs can be very smooth and euphonic in a tube sort of way. They can also put lots of air around the instruments and voices nicely layered. Capable of enveloping you in the piece and wanting to walk over to the artist singing or playing an instrument. It definitely can make your hair stand up on the back of your neck and give goose bumps.

Whether it was the other parts of system doing this is a possibility, but without the details provided by the D1100 it would not be possible.

The D1100 is also fully balanced. So you can have a fully balanced signal, source to speaker and with that comes great dynamic range. It is hard to get subtle details and textures reproduced without low noise floor.
 
joeinid said:
I have a decent DAC now, a Bricasti M1SE. But am getting a little itchy for a change. I need to listen to other dacs more, then decide.
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That's a nice DAC Joe. My friend has one and I borrowed it for a little while, and he borrowed my Lampi. Yes, you're going to have to spend a lot of money to beat the M1SE.
 
leftside said:
That's a nice DAC Joe. My friend has one and I borrowed it for a little while, and he borrowed my Lampi. Yes, you're going to have to spend a lot of money to beat the M1SE.
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Thank you. I do really like it and feed it with a Lumin U1 mini. Easy and sounding wonderful.
 
joeinid said:
Thank you. I do really like it and feed it with a Lumin U1 mini. Easy and sounding wonderful.
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Before you spend $7,000+ on a digital preamplifier with no tone or balance controls, give the AudioQuest DragonFly (Red) DAC a try. It’s only $200. You won’t miss out on anything, I promise :D
 
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damacman said:
So, what's it gonna be Joe?
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Ha! Don’t rush me.

Seriously, I have some commitments that need taking care of before a new dac. Plus everything seems to move so quickly in the dac world that more time gives more options.

Maybe a D1200 will be out by then. :)
 
SA7I said:
Before you spend $7,000+ on a digital preamplifier with no tone or balance controls, give the AudioQuest DragonFly (Red) DAC a try. It’s only $200. You won’t miss out on anything, I promise :D
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I know it’s a great dac and for the money, a stupid good deal.
 
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