MCD201 Issues Resolved?

[Doc Sarvis]

I've had the 201 for a couple of months now. I got the latest firmware installed. My player occasionally skips and freezes, but only on certain CDs (never on SACD, knock on wood). In communication with McIntosh, they suggested the tech fix described here (which I have not had done yet). 90 % of the discs I play work fine.

Once I get the tech fix I'll report on the results.

 

[jupiterfx]

yes, mine is a new serial with the latest firmware. i talked to another person with the same version 201, also 1week old and he said he experienced the same issues, songs suddenly skipping to the next track and SACDs not being recognized, then when i try and play them again the next day they might work. this is very frustrating..

 

[jim777]

My dealer has sold a few MCD201's, and last time I asked, he told me that NONE of them where reading all discs. I'll check again with him this week. Mine is down to only 2 or 3 discs that don't work. A trick for you guys: CD-R copies of these work though.

I could do an adjustment but I'm feeling a bit like rasmussen, I'm not sure I want to play with the screwdriver in it. Tilting on one side or another and "try again if it's better" isn't my kind of idea of a precise adjustment either. Making a CD-R copy of 1 or 2 culprit discs is less trouble for me. At least I have the adjustment procedure handy if ever the player needs to be tweeked some day.

I'm sad for those having so much trouble with SACD's. I now have around 10 of them and it looks like they are all working fine. I didn't A/B with the redbook yet because you can't switch fast between the two and I don't have a SPL meter; but they sure sound great - huge dynamic range. However redbook also sounds so great with this player, so maybe only the best ears and systems will really get better sound from SACD. So maybe I need a speaker upgrade

Again, I just hope that mac will get this one 100% right some day because it sounds so good. For now, I got a few hiccups and other "attention to details" that kind of hurt my proud-mac-owner feelings (especially that I was unlucky enough to have problems with two of the three first CDs that I tried in the player when I got it) - but I still have the feeling that mac will get this right

 

[bigpoppapump]

I have the 300 and the 201. I love the 300 and I love the 201. The 300 sounds superb to my ear but when you play the same song on tehe 201 and A/B the sound, the sacd sounds better as it should. I have had my 201 for about a month and have had some skipping on certain cd's in the 201. And the CD was brand new on its first play. I thought it was the CD. Now I will go play it again and test that point.

Anyone know where to buy Royalty paid CD's. My 300 would not let me copy a playlist I made to a blank to play in my car. Never heard of a royalty paid CD. What will the music business think of next. Anyway to bypass this?

 

[Doc Sarvis]

Has anyone had the technical fix recommended by McIntosh?

 

[Indy]

Has anyone had the technical fix recommended by McIntosh?

Question for Ron C.

What's the deal with MCD 201?

 

[lindstrom]

Indeed. What is the deal? We have waited over theree months for a replacement. Then the factory decided we should take it to the local dealer for an adjustment instead. Now the local says the fix did not fix it, so they have to wait for the factory to decide the next step. I LOVE McIntosh equipment, and we have a lot of it. However, no matter how beautiful the player is, it is no pleasure if it is unreliable. You are wlways waiting for the shoe to drop. Ours has no consistent pattern of behaviour - playing or not playing any disk we own is not consistent from day to day. So, what is one to think or do?

 

[Magno]

As I mentioned on another thread....

...After waiting 2 months for a new player, I received a firmware update instead. I no longer have freezing issues and SACD plays seamlessly. I'd say Mcintosh has provided the adequate fix (at least for my CD collection) but I can't say that I'm pleased with how they handled things.

Indeed. What is the deal? We have waited over theree months for a replacement. Then the factory decided we should take it to the local dealer for an adjustment instead. Now the local says the fix did not fix it, so they have to wait for the factory to decide the next step. I LOVE McIntosh equipment, and we have a lot of it. However, no matter how beautiful the player is, it is no pleasure if it is unreliable. You are wlways waiting for the shoe to drop. Ours has no consistent pattern of behaviour - playing or not playing any disk we own is not consistent from day to day. So, what is one to think or do?

 

[jupiterfx]

is there a firware update for the newer production, i think mine is version 6- although i still get the skipping issues as previously stated.
if so how does one get the firmware?

 

[jim777]

I wonder why we register our stuff on the mac website. I thought they could have sent out info and/or firmware updates to all those who bought the player and registered.

Mac could at least send the firmware (and at least some info!) to the dealers. My dealer is in the fog with this. Not one of the players he sold seems to be all right, and I'm the one who told him that firmware updates and adjustments exist for these.

And is mac going to do like USR and TI; great hardware but buggy software/firmware? No because I think that the firmware was probably "OK" from the beginning, but they modified the firmware to account for greater variations in hardware than expected. That would be something that happens often in the "embedded" industry. That would also explain why mac doesn't want to send updates to people if they don't call. Or maybe they are waiting to get a 100% working solution.

What would have happened if it was a good old player that can't be updated so easy? Was the 201 rushed to market, maybe because the 205 parts where getting rare? Would I have been better with the new Rega? (Ok, maybe I'm pushing it.. ) Unfortunately, these are the kind of questions that come to my mind.

 

[lindstrom]

Would you please share your thoughts on this topic Ron? As one can see, there are many of us devoted fans out here who could use some guidance. Originally you counseled some weeks delay which has become some months-- with no solution. I do not think anyone is trying to be caustic, but the lack of real information is unfortunate.

Many thanks.

 

[CarlV]

I am rather curious why there are no responses from you guys regarding not getting a satisfactory answer from Chuck Hinton. I have yet to call him myself regarding anything (no need) but on the website it does say this is his job (technical support). I know they have let guys even talk to engineers before.

Anybody?


Carl

 

[jupiterfx]

my dealer just talked to Ron and was told the newer versions had the firmware patched/fixed. why then do i and others with the new version have a track skipping issue and the player not recognizing SACD's? by the way though i want to emphasize how fantastic the player is when it works!!
RON?

 

[jim777]

I am rather curious why there are no responses from you guys regarding not getting a satisfactory answer from Chuck Hinton. I have yet to call him myself regarding anything (no need) but on the website it does say this is his job (technical support). I know they have let guys even talk to engineers before.

Anybody?


Carl

Chuck is very helpful and available, and ron-c too, but Chuck can't give people the perfect solution that does not seem to exist yet. I guess it's in the engineer's hands for now..

 

[CarlV]

Thanks!



Carl

 

[ron-c]

Guys, some of the MCD201s have had issues and some work great. That said many players industry wide, are having issues with some of the multi-format disks. We have changed our testing and adjustment procedures on the MCD201 as well as the firmware that operates the unit. Compared to previous McIntosh CD players the MCD201 will play some disks that none of the previous models will.
If you have a unit that is skipping or shutting off this is a service issue which may need new firmware installed, the laser tilt adjusted, or a trip to the factory. Will every flip disk or multi-format SACD play on the 201? That depends on the individual disk.
Problem two for the MCD201 is that orders have far outstripped our ability to build. This will improve within the window of parts lead time but not where we want it to be for a few more months.

Thanks,
Ron-C

 

[bigpoppapump]

Ron, how do you know if you have the latest software? My serial number is wm1455.

 

[ron-c]

If a machine has a tracking issue we can send out the firmware on a disk. That always seems odd to me that we send out firmware to improve tracking on a disk the machine needs to read. It does work though!
To 'update' a machine that is operating correctly would not be advised.

thanks,
Ron-C

 

[Tullman]

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.

I love McIntosh stuff, but no freakin' way am I going to pay $3300. for a unit with this many problems. Shame on you McIntosh.

 

[lindstrom]

Our unit had problems on the very first disc we put in the machine. You say it would need a trip to the factory, why does the factory not take the unit back. The most interesting thing here is that no one-----even the factory-----says they really have found an answer. Is the unit beautiful? YES! Do I want to be a beta tester??---NO.

Guys, some of the MCD201s have had issues and some work great. That said many players industry wide, are having issues with some of the multi-format disks. We have changed our testing and adjustment procedures on the MCD201 as well as the firmware that operates the unit. Compared to previous McIntosh CD players the MCD201 will play some disks that none of the previous models will.
If you have a unit that is skipping or shutting off this is a service issue which may need new firmware installed, the laser tilt adjusted, or a trip to the factory.