Mcd301

2uberoller

2uberoller

Super Member
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Is the DAC in the MCD301 different from the MCD500 ? I can't seem to find out much about the DAC in the MCD301, it says 24 bit/192 khz. I guess what I am asking is the MCD301 a MCD500 without the digital inputs ? I have read Dan's report and I came away with the impression that the MCD301 could hold its own with the MCD500. David
 
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Hmmmm... had the MCD301 for about 6 months.. and there is no doubt, the MCD500 is rather quite superior... it just keeps amazing me.:music:
 
PHC1 said:
David, MCD500 or bust... :thmbsp:
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Or used MDA or bust :D.

You can use the extra $2500 toward a pair of MC501s.

Assuming you can get $2700 for the MC252 (very doable - I did it) and you could get a pair of MC501s for $5500 (very doable - I did) - you are only $300 shy from having the following set-up:

MVP861 (trasport) -> MDA1000 -> C220 -> MC501s

vs.

MCD500 -> C220 -> MC252

Which one would you rather have?

Nothing against the MCD500 or the MC252; and you would be dealing with used vs new. You would also have 2 extra "boxes" (add DAC and add an amp) I just want to make sure you are exploring and considering all options.

I had to be patient, and ready, for the opportunity to get used MDA1000 and MC501s locally (I would hesitate to buy something like this without a face to face transaction), but I am glad I waited and was patient. I love my MDA1000 and MC501s.

Alberto
 
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masterlu said:
Your joking right?
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Ivan, I'm just saying that they both sound about the same to me. My system is not on the same level as yours so maybe you do hear a difference. I would be interested in knowing more about what you mean by completely different from the feet up? I realize that the DACs in the MCD500 are from a different source but I'm not sure that necessarily translates to superior sound. There are other highly respected players on the market that do not use these DACs.
 
Alberto,

I totally agree with you! I have tried to be a savvy shopper and as a result have been able to get some fantastic gear at some good prices..

Michael




forzaroma said:
Or used MDA or bust :D.

You can use the extra $2500 toward a pair of MC501s.

Assuming you can get $2700 for the MC252 (very doable - I did it) and you could get a pair of MC501s for $5500 (very doable - I did) - you are only $300 shy from having the following set-up:

MVP861 (trasport) -> MDA1000 -> C220 -> MC501s

vs.

MCD500 -> C220 -> MC252

Which one would you rather have?

Nothing against the MCD500 or the MC252; and you would be dealing with used vs new. You would also have 2 extra "boxes" (add DAC and add an amp) I just want to make sure you are exploring and considering all options.

I had to be patient, and ready, for the opportunity to get used MDA1000 and MC501s locally (I would hesitate to buy something like this without a face to face transaction), but I am glad I waited and was patient. I love my MDA1000 and MC501s.

Alberto
Click to expand...
 
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william.keith said:
Ivan, I'm just saying that they both sound about the same to me. My system is not on the same level as yours so maybe you do hear a difference. I would be interested in knowing more about what you mean by completely different from the feet up? I realize that the DACs in the MCD500 are from a different source but I'm not sure that necessarily translates to superior sound. There are other highly respected players on the market that do not use these DACs.
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This is precisely what I wanted to find out. Sonically, just how much better is the MCD500 vs the MCD301 ?

Compared with the MCD1000, the redbook section is obviously way better, but I can more than live with the 301 already. I wonder what kind of magic is hidden in the MCD501.
 
When I purchased my first MCD500 I was awe struck at the sound. I still am awe struck everytime I press the play button. It is the best source component I have ever owned. I did several head to head comparisons with the MCD500 and the MCD301, and the MCD500 was more pleasurable to listen to every time. Where the MCD301 sounded exactly like the MCD500 was when I played it through the digital inputs of the MCD500. Like this, I heard no difference at all. As stand alone players going neck and neck, the MCD500 is the winner. I had planned on keeping my MCD301 in the studio system, but the more I listened to the MCD500 in my main system, the more I lusted for another MCD500 in the studio system. I put the MCD301 up on Agon, and purchased a second MCD500 for the studio. I have not regreted that decision for a single minute.
 
jdandy said:
When I purchased my first MCD500 I was awe struck at the sound. I still am awe struck everytime I press the play button. It is the best source component I have ever owned. I did several head to head comparisons with the MCD500 and the MCD301, and the MCD500 was more pleasurable to listen to every time. Where the MCD301 sounded exactly like the MCD500 was when I played it through the digital inputs of the MCD500. Like this, I heard no difference at all. As stand alone players going neck and neck, the MCD500 is the winner. I had planned on keeping my MCD301 in the studio system, but the more I listened to the MCD500 in my main system, the more I lusted for another MCD500 in the studio system. I put the MCD301 up on Agon, and purchased a second MCD500 for the studio. I have not regreted that decision for a single minute.
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+1 What Dan just said. It seduces, it entices you, it draws you in. I've never experienced that before. Its not a quantifiable difference, its well.. :D emotional.
 
jdandy said:
When I purchased my first MCD500 I was awe struck at the sound. I still am awe struck everytime I press the play button. It is the best source component I have ever owned. I did several head to head comparisons with the MCD500 and the MCD301, and the MCD500 was more pleasurable to listen to every time. Where the MCD301 sounded exactly like the MCD500 was when I played it through the digital inputs of the MCD500. Like this, I heard no difference at all. As stand alone players going neck and neck, the MCD500 is the winner. I had planned on keeping my MCD301 in the studio system, but the more I listened to the MCD500 in my main system, the more I lusted for another MCD500 in the studio system. I put the MCD301 up on Agon, and purchased a second MCD500 for the studio. I have not regreted that decision for a single minute.
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Dan,

Dont be so "brutal" with the MCD301! Its a good machine and I do love it (though honestly, I am lusting for the MCD500). You are making the situation unbearable for people like me who have the MCD301 and are desiring for the MCD500! :tears:

Enough said, back to my drawing board .... hmmmmm :scratch2:

Cheers! :banana:
 
David,

Please don't even think of "settling" for the 301.

You, like me, love your SONOS and NEED those DAC's in the MCD500.

My $.02
 
I realize that the MCD500 is felt to be the best ie has digital inputs, great DAC and all that. I was hoping Ron would chime in with some information regarding the DAC in the MCD301, Mcintosh is vague on the website. It seems that if Mcintosh wants people to consider the MCD301 they should talk it up a little other wise it will sit on the shelf like a rotten apple. Lets be honest, I have a upper-entry level Mcintosh set up (one step up from a integrated amp.) so maybe the mcd301 would be fine for my system. The new DAC in the MCD500 has already been replaced by the 32 bit DAC so state of the art is relative . I would love to hear from some MCD301 owners. I was also curious about whether the MCD301 sounds better than the MCD201 or are they basically the same machine with the MCD301 having just a better transport ?
 
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