I've come full circle - slightly embarrassing
- Thread starter mgrenwic
- Start date
onedrop78
Active Member
Fun thread
Always fun to get a budget and "what would you build" system question which quickly turned into a standalone vs integrated DAC battle. I would probably build what I have....C2300, MC275 MKV, VPI Classic I, and PS Audio DLIII. Well maybe I wouldn't re-buy the PS DLIII. It works fine but probably could get the same performance from a $100 DAC now. Used C2300 and Classic I plus budget up to $1K on a NEW cartridge and a D100 used should leave you with some change. Just like semis and memory, they keep getting smaller, faster, better and cheaper. Just hang around a bit and they will be giving them away. In fact, I'm going to wait a bit until the D100 value gets crushed by the DSD movement and D150 and scoop one of those up. I figure it will look good in the rack and probably sound just fine playing my collection of 99% redbook material.
By the way, what are your speakers and what amp are you running?
That's probably a crucial detail that's worth considering.
Always fun to get a budget and "what would you build" system question which quickly turned into a standalone vs integrated DAC battle. I would probably build what I have....C2300, MC275 MKV, VPI Classic I, and PS Audio DLIII. Well maybe I wouldn't re-buy the PS DLIII. It works fine but probably could get the same performance from a $100 DAC now. Used C2300 and Classic I plus budget up to $1K on a NEW cartridge and a D100 used should leave you with some change. Just like semis and memory, they keep getting smaller, faster, better and cheaper. Just hang around a bit and they will be giving them away. In fact, I'm going to wait a bit until the D100 value gets crushed by the DSD movement and D150 and scoop one of those up. I figure it will look good in the rack and probably sound just fine playing my collection of 99% redbook material.
By the way, what are your speakers and what amp are you running?
That's probably a crucial detail that's worth considering.
Thanks for all the replies, a lot to digest here.
If the D150 had analog inputs I wouldn't have a problem. I have a feeling they did that on purpose to get people to buy the preamps.
I know nothing about tube pre's so I need to read up on that. Each time I step forward in this journey a whole new world of questions coming pouring down. Tubes wear out over time correct? I assume they can be changed fairly easily?
Quick question, the D150 was retailing at $3k was the rumor?
Onedrop78 - as of now I just have some powered speakers that were left over from a sale of pro audio stuff. The amp and speaker will come in 6 months or so. I will be using my audeze lcd-2 for the most part for now.
If the D150 had analog inputs I wouldn't have a problem. I have a feeling they did that on purpose to get people to buy the preamps.
I know nothing about tube pre's so I need to read up on that. Each time I step forward in this journey a whole new world of questions coming pouring down. Tubes wear out over time correct? I assume they can be changed fairly easily?
Quick question, the D150 was retailing at $3k was the rumor?
Onedrop78 - as of now I just have some powered speakers that were left over from a sale of pro audio stuff. The amp and speaker will come in 6 months or so. I will be using my audeze lcd-2 for the most part for now.
The D100 is a digital preamp list at $2500, ever since it came out guy have used it mostly for it's DAC. At that point it was paired with the C2300 and was the hot ticket and nothing has changed that. The the new C2500 came out with a DAC but many will still say the D100 is mac's best DAC. Now the new D150 is coming out so who knows if it's better than the d100 sound and performance wise. Now that the D150 is coming out we will start seeing D100s on the used market for a lot less than list.
Yes you have to replace Tubes as they ware out, also it's much harder to match speakers to the MC275s do to there power output. For less money you can get a powerful warm SS amp and the preamp can be tubes. The preamp tubes may never need replacing as they don't ware out like the power amp tubes.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Yes I don't understand why McIntosh didn't put some analogue line inputs on their D100/150....
Tubes are fine, its a personal preference thing, you're either a tube guy or not....
Pre-amp tube life can be anywhere upwards of 10 years or so depending on the tubes you are using.....
Hey D are you getting settled in?
HOLY CRAP.
I just got back from my local big box that had a C50 hooked up to MC452's pushing the B&W 802's. Source was CD running the MCD1100. The music selection was not exactly up my ally, he started with John Mayer's Gravity live....the sound staging was amazing. I am not ashamed to admit I started tearing up. There is something about experiencing the depth that can be had in life. Next was some Nine Inch Nails. Mind blowing separation. The B&W's were good but in the limited listening I did, I could see myself yearning for a bit more bass.
All and all the trip was good, the sales guy was nice and seemed knowledgable for the most part except some of the things he stated I knew were off. He also kept brining up Rotel as an option, whom I don't know anything about.
Anyways, he is letting me bring my headphones up and my Macbook Pro to test out the C50 and the MC2500. Looking forward to that.
On a side note I spoke with a Rep. at McIntosh today as well, very nice guy. He gave me a clue on what will be happening DAC wise with the preamps and gave me an ear full on DSD which helped to clarify my intended route of purchase.
Great day.
I just got back from my local big box that had a C50 hooked up to MC452's pushing the B&W 802's. Source was CD running the MCD1100. The music selection was not exactly up my ally, he started with John Mayer's Gravity live....the sound staging was amazing. I am not ashamed to admit I started tearing up. There is something about experiencing the depth that can be had in life. Next was some Nine Inch Nails. Mind blowing separation. The B&W's were good but in the limited listening I did, I could see myself yearning for a bit more bass.
All and all the trip was good, the sales guy was nice and seemed knowledgable for the most part except some of the things he stated I knew were off. He also kept brining up Rotel as an option, whom I don't know anything about.
Anyways, he is letting me bring my headphones up and my Macbook Pro to test out the C50 and the MC2500. Looking forward to that.
On a side note I spoke with a Rep. at McIntosh today as well, very nice guy. He gave me a clue on what will be happening DAC wise with the preamps and gave me an ear full on DSD which helped to clarify my intended route of purchase.
Great day.
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parkcitygolf
Searching for the sound.
Thats some serious gear there man. Sounds fun.
Im really interested in hearing what the earful contained on DSD. Im looking at the d100 and d150 and trying to figure out if the newer dac is worth it.
Im really interested in hearing what the earful contained on DSD. Im looking at the d100 and d150 and trying to figure out if the newer dac is worth it.
Sales guy was right - latest Rotel power amps are very good. But I would not looking at their preamps. Mc DACs are waste of money though. Preamps are good for analog inputs only. You can avoid getting DAC at all - get Oppo 105 player. Besides playing all types of diks, it can work as DAC for your computer too (including DSD).
kevzep
Its all about the Music
MC452......essential equipment......:thmbsp:
I hear you on the bass though, thats why I have my system actively Bi-amped with the Crown Macro-tech pushing my subs.......
I would be inclined towards the C50 personally, but if you dont need the meters and the 8 bands of EQ then the C48 will be more than adequate....
I like the minimalist and traditional McIntosh look of the C48....
After all the digital talk, I thought I would try Jriver again, I first tried it when it was in its infancy for Mac and I had great difficulty importing my library with all the album tags and stuff, so the songs were in there all random and disorganised...
But they seem to have this sorted now...
So I got it downloaded and running.....Got my library sorted......I think its a very good program, it will play most anything including DSD, so as long as you have a DAC capable DSD then you're all set....
It seems to run with the McIntosh DAC more reliably than what I was using before, so far anyway...I need to get the settings right and then I think I will be all good....
I'm glad I tried Jriver again......Guys keep talking about it and going on about how good it is, so worth a shot I thought....
I would suggest if you want a media player to accompany your new McIntosh setup then definitely go with Jriver....
leftside
AK Member
"it will play most anything including DSD, so as long as you have a DAC capable DSD"
Hey Kev, It will also play DSD with a non-DSD DAC such as the D100. Ron has instructions on how to get it going, but basically JRiver downscales the 384k files to 192k before sending to the D100. They still sound very, very good. Looking forward to seeing how the D150 compares when playing the files natively at 384k and JRiver simply bitstreams the files.
Hey Kev, It will also play DSD with a non-DSD DAC such as the D100. Ron has instructions on how to get it going, but basically JRiver downscales the 384k files to 192k before sending to the D100. They still sound very, very good. Looking forward to seeing how the D150 compares when playing the files natively at 384k and JRiver simply bitstreams the files.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Yeah I saw RonC's post, it does downsample to 192/24....which is fine by me!!
I'm really glad I had another look at Jriver, its come a long way since I first tried it.....
Just spent a bit of time today sorting the library out which was pretty easy, it has some good algorithms for that sort of thing....
Very nice...