MCD201 Issues Resolved?
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jim777
Just another McGeek
It is still not perfect..
I was told that there was no hardware changes, only firmware and sometimes a laser pickup assembley tilt adjustment that can be done by a tech (without sending back the player to mac).
My player only has problems with some of my Memorex CD-R's and one pressed disc that plays everywhere else but may have some kind of defect anyway. It plays all my other pressed CD's and Sony CD-R's without issues. This was not the case when I first got the player, before I installed one of their first firmware updates (but I didn't have time to check the tilt adjustement).
However there are also some more minor (display/control) issues or details that seem to be bugging only me... I sent this list and more to mac and I was told that it will not be done for a long while.. (if done at all)
#1 - Time display is not constant. Each "time" is not displayed during 1-sec. Sometimes a second is displayed during 0.3 seconds or something. This is pretty obvious, especially when the time is in "time remaining" mode.
#2 - The "time mode" is displayed immediately when pressing the "time" button, but not the time itself.
#3 - Impossible to rewind into the end of a previous track. The player falls into "play" mode at the beginning of a track instead. (I was told that this is the "normal" behaviour - is this how you guys want it to work??).
#4 - The time command is rejected if the disc is on pause. I want to be able to use the "time" button to switch the display during "pause".
#5 - Using the back/next knob on the player, it is impossible to skip the first track in the first few (2 to 7) seconds of it. I think that the other buttons (stop, etc.) are also unresponsive in the first few seconds of playback. I was told that this is normal - the 30 seconds of load time is still not enough to read the TOC. Some players go from eject-in to play in 3-4 seconds..
#6 - Using the back/next knob to skip many tracks at once, sometimes the beginning of one of the tracks I'm skipping does not play at all (OK) and sometimes a second is played (this one is just funny).
#7 - Rewind and Fast Forward are very slow. But this is my opinion. What do you guys think??
#8 - If the volume control on the player is turned a bit too fast, the volume goes in the opposite direction almost half of that time. That doesn't look good when you are "demo-ing" your player to someone.
So is it just me or these things should also be looked at? Maybe some of this has been modified since then, but I didn't hear about it. I didn't think that I would post this list but I guess it's the only way to get peoples opinion and maybe get something done.
I was told that there was no hardware changes, only firmware and sometimes a laser pickup assembley tilt adjustment that can be done by a tech (without sending back the player to mac).
My player only has problems with some of my Memorex CD-R's and one pressed disc that plays everywhere else but may have some kind of defect anyway. It plays all my other pressed CD's and Sony CD-R's without issues. This was not the case when I first got the player, before I installed one of their first firmware updates (but I didn't have time to check the tilt adjustement).
However there are also some more minor (display/control) issues or details that seem to be bugging only me... I sent this list and more to mac and I was told that it will not be done for a long while.. (if done at all)
#1 - Time display is not constant. Each "time" is not displayed during 1-sec. Sometimes a second is displayed during 0.3 seconds or something. This is pretty obvious, especially when the time is in "time remaining" mode.
#2 - The "time mode" is displayed immediately when pressing the "time" button, but not the time itself.
#3 - Impossible to rewind into the end of a previous track. The player falls into "play" mode at the beginning of a track instead. (I was told that this is the "normal" behaviour - is this how you guys want it to work??).
#4 - The time command is rejected if the disc is on pause. I want to be able to use the "time" button to switch the display during "pause".
#5 - Using the back/next knob on the player, it is impossible to skip the first track in the first few (2 to 7) seconds of it. I think that the other buttons (stop, etc.) are also unresponsive in the first few seconds of playback. I was told that this is normal - the 30 seconds of load time is still not enough to read the TOC. Some players go from eject-in to play in 3-4 seconds..
#6 - Using the back/next knob to skip many tracks at once, sometimes the beginning of one of the tracks I'm skipping does not play at all (OK) and sometimes a second is played (this one is just funny).
#7 - Rewind and Fast Forward are very slow. But this is my opinion. What do you guys think??
#8 - If the volume control on the player is turned a bit too fast, the volume goes in the opposite direction almost half of that time. That doesn't look good when you are "demo-ing" your player to someone.
So is it just me or these things should also be looked at? Maybe some of this has been modified since then, but I didn't hear about it. I didn't think that I would post this list but I guess it's the only way to get peoples opinion and maybe get something done.
Last edited:
jim777
Just another McGeek
They have to send you a CD-R that you put in the player. They insist on burning the CD-R themselves to avoid errors because any mistake would "kill" the player.
Then the player updates itself what that CD-R, and the process takes about 30 seconds.
Hey that is almost faster than loading a music CD
Then the player updates itself what that CD-R, and the process takes about 30 seconds.
Hey that is almost faster than loading a music CD
pathologymd
Active Member
Hi everyone,
My SCD201 sounds great, but I too had a firmware issue manifesting as pops at the beginning of and between tracks. I too wish I could rewind into the previous track (all other players I have had will do this).
My upgrade was done about three months ago. Is there a way to see what my firmware version is? I would like to have the latest version.
William
My SCD201 sounds great, but I too had a firmware issue manifesting as pops at the beginning of and between tracks. I too wish I could rewind into the previous track (all other players I have had will do this).
My upgrade was done about three months ago. Is there a way to see what my firmware version is? I would like to have the latest version.
William
jim777
Just another McGeek
Yep, most CDP play a disc like one big wave file and use the index table for display only (and to skip tracks). The mac seems to try to hard to know where each songs begins and ends and tries to do it's trick that way. So I have a disc or two that does this: the player will "stop" 2-3 seconds at the end of a track, then begin playing 2 seconds into the next song. Probably their index isn't standard, but they played ok on my previous Rotel.pathologymd said:
What problems?
Had mine about two months, maybe a little more. Honestly I was going to say that there were no problems until I read Jim 777's list. I have had 8 or so players since CDs first came out. This one seems just as easy to use and flawless as any but I don't really use a machine in the way Jim does apparently. Go down the list. Ask yourself with each item am I going to do that or need that? Anyway I suspect that with many folks the answer will be no. If so with you then by all means pick one up, they are a nice machine in the price range and mine performs flawlessly. I am listening to mostly redbook. Ok mine is flawed, volume goes down if you spin the knob. Don't spin the volume knob just because it spins (yeah I had to, just like a kid).
Probably the strong point of the machine for me is the way it mates with the 275 amp and sounds without a pre amp.
Hope the simple guy perspective helped. Larry
Had mine about two months, maybe a little more. Honestly I was going to say that there were no problems until I read Jim 777's list. I have had 8 or so players since CDs first came out. This one seems just as easy to use and flawless as any but I don't really use a machine in the way Jim does apparently. Go down the list. Ask yourself with each item am I going to do that or need that? Anyway I suspect that with many folks the answer will be no. If so with you then by all means pick one up, they are a nice machine in the price range and mine performs flawlessly. I am listening to mostly redbook. Ok mine is flawed, volume goes down if you spin the knob. Don't spin the volume knob just because it spins (yeah I had to, just like a kid).
Probably the strong point of the machine for me is the way it mates with the 275 amp and sounds without a pre amp.
Hope the simple guy perspective helped. Larry
jim777
Just another McGeek
Didn't I say that I don't regret the player at all? I agree that it's a great machine! I only decided to bring up some other funny issues besides playback.rasmussen said:
But I still think that (quote mcintosh) "The MCD201 gives new life to many previously unplayable discs" is a big joke!! It is quite the contrary
Hope I didn't hurt your feelings with my list Larry
Nah, I'm good.
I figured you either record or are just more interactive with your gear than some of us. I was hoping I didn't come on too strong.
My next bit of fun is to borrow a decent pre amp and listen with and without the 201 volume control engaged.
We are lucky dogs to have access to such toys.
Enjoy, Larry
I figured you either record or are just more interactive with your gear than some of us. I was hoping I didn't come on too strong.
My next bit of fun is to borrow a decent pre amp and listen with and without the 201 volume control engaged.
We are lucky dogs to have access to such toys.
Enjoy, Larry
rasmussen said:
I have an Arcam CD33 that performs excellent for a CD only player in the $2500 price range. Loads fast, play fast, rewinds fast, stops fast, etc. for $3300 for the 201 you would think they could get an engineer to remedy its faults.
"Anyway I suspect that with many folks the answer will be no."
Wrong to assume.
A person pays for a well engineered machine and should receive one.
Point #5 is troulbing.
Point # 1 is troubling for a $3300 player.
Jim777 brings up valid points. I am not going to address all of them as I have started to do.
The faults of the player need to be addressed. If anyone else has some issues please address them.
McIntosh can tweak this unit to make it "THE" player in the market place. Marantz has had the luxury of this for years with its player.
30 second load time is nuts.
Well Indy
Does the Arcam sound as good? I would love a player with fast fast fast load time but it is not my main priority. With the built in analog volume control, sweet sound, and balanced out the 201 is my baby. Virtually 100% of my listening is from the chair using the remote to control the machine. Could it be that the 4 times normal spin design is incompatible with some of the improvements you are looking for? Heck I wouldn't be able to say.
But on this forum sometimes people come in fresh looking for an opinion. Mine would be that the player is well worth auditioning in the price range, may have some operating quirks that many listeners would not find as disturbing as some forum members do or indeed even notice.
Larry
Does the Arcam sound as good? I would love a player with fast fast fast load time but it is not my main priority. With the built in analog volume control, sweet sound, and balanced out the 201 is my baby. Virtually 100% of my listening is from the chair using the remote to control the machine. Could it be that the 4 times normal spin design is incompatible with some of the improvements you are looking for? Heck I wouldn't be able to say.
But on this forum sometimes people come in fresh looking for an opinion. Mine would be that the player is well worth auditioning in the price range, may have some operating quirks that many listeners would not find as disturbing as some forum members do or indeed even notice.
Larry
rasmussen said:
Larry, I have a 201 on order myself, can't wait. I not knocking the price range its in, someone else here on the forum brought up some valid point; tweaking this unit will make it a superior player; I will continue to use the Arcam. I'm just of those consumers that like's what he buy to be complete and have no buyers remorse.
I'm sure the 201 will be a better sounding player. With MAC's engineering expertise and the trinkle down effect from their upper end units its a no brainer.
jupiterfx
Active Member
i just recieved my new MCD201 yesterday and love it! however on some disks its stopping mid track and switching to the next song and also some entire discs it doesnt even recognize and lists 'no disc'. these have all been original SACD's. any idea whats causing this already?
Uh oh!
I only have a couple SACDs but not one mis track or refusal to read on the multiple redbooks I am using. I bought mine at Magnolia where I could take it back for full refund first 30 days because of reports like that. My serial # is WM1550, is yours more current Jupiterfx? I would have to agree with Pete. It is one thing to debate the importance of glitches with the time display but if even a few more current models have the gross malfunction described by Jupiterfx it would be a buyer beware deal. On the other hand if that baby was made early hopefully they could update it for you although I might just take it back. Too expensive to buy as a kit you have to adjust and screw around with. Good luck man. Larry
I only have a couple SACDs but not one mis track or refusal to read on the multiple redbooks I am using. I bought mine at Magnolia where I could take it back for full refund first 30 days because of reports like that. My serial # is WM1550, is yours more current Jupiterfx? I would have to agree with Pete. It is one thing to debate the importance of glitches with the time display but if even a few more current models have the gross malfunction described by Jupiterfx it would be a buyer beware deal. On the other hand if that baby was made early hopefully they could update it for you although I might just take it back. Too expensive to buy as a kit you have to adjust and screw around with. Good luck man. Larry
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