• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

McIntosh CD Player

samurai7595

samurai7595

Active Member
I'm looking for a McIntosh CD player that I can use with my McIntosh MAC6700 integrated. Ideally, I'd like to use the same remote as my MAC6700 to control the CD player.

I'd love to buy new but they are just too expensive so I started looking at the used market.

I came across the following models and wanted to know which model(s) would be considered reliable/robust and sound great.

- MCD7000
- MCD7005
- MCD7007
- MCD7008

Any other McIntosh recommendations?
 
Register to hide this ad
The MCD7008 is a changer based on the Nakamichi music bank changer mechanism. The other 3 are all based on the early Philips CDM1 laser and over sampling concept. I have repaired and restored all 4 units over the past few years, all have various tricks that need to be implemented to get them back into prime functioning mode.

The best sounding unit would be the MCD7007 but I do question if your remote has the correct IR codes for these 80s and 90s units.
 
Having owned a 7000 and a 7009 my recommendation would be to save your money and put it towards a newer Mac cd player. My current Mac cd player (mcd205) was a decent upgrade over my 2 7000 series models and the price isn't much more than what the older 7000 series players are going for.
 
Another vote for the MCD-205. You can use it as single play or a changer. The remote for the C-100 also runs it so others may also control it.
 
Before I got my MVP 871, I had a MCD205 and really liked it. That would get my vote for a discontinued rock solid performer
McIntosh CD Player with a good reputation at a decent price.
 
samurai7595 said:
I'm looking for a McIntosh CD player that I can use with my McIntosh MAC6700 integrated. Ideally, I'd like to use the same remote as my MAC6700 to control the CD player.

I'd love to buy new but they are just too expensive so I started looking at the used market.

I came across the following models and wanted to know which model(s) would be considered reliable/robust and sound great.

- MCD7000
- MCD7005
- MCD7007
- MCD7008

Any other McIntosh recommendations?
Click to expand...

I check with McIntosh and they confirmed that none of the models above will work with the remote from my MAC6700 integrated.
 
Also a big question, is the laser good? Some older McIntosh players have unobtainable lasers, especially very early models. And you'll not get new enough that works with your remote control. By the time you get remote friendly, you're not far away from the price of a new McIntosh player. Bear that in mind.
 
The early Philips lasers were far more robust than web based criticism of them implies......the power supply for the lasers fail all the time, far more often than the laser itself.
 
As the owner of an MCD-205 I agree with the other posters who've recommended it. It's the last changer that McIntosh still has replacement parts for and is still serviceable. They sound fantastic, and not just "for a changer"...in general.
The 205 has a data port (like your MAC6700) that "should" allow you to use the 6700 remote to control the MCD-205, but check with McIntosh first.
 
This might not be the prevailing view around here, but I have to ask: Why are you seriously considering vintage-ish McIntosh for Redbook playback?

Every McIntosh unit had the internals from different OEMs, most importantly the transport. Which makes business sense. However, in my strongest opinion, McIntosh is at its best when they make truly bespoke circuits/components. Their amps and pres are works of art. But, even if they tweaked the output stage of these things, DACs have moved so far ahead it doesn't matter if they were state of the art at the time; they're obsolete (except as transports). Yet, the name alone will allow these old units to fetch reasonably high prices. If that's your budget, well...

I would advise you to look elsewhere. Find a great transport and get a modern DAC. Heck, even a relatively poor transport and a modern DAC (Schiit Modi Multibit or Chord Hugo would be my very short list) should dramatically outperform ANY redbook playback machine from any manufacturer more than 2-3 years old. The DAC tech has come that far, that fast. Get a decent, used CD transport for cheap and a modern DAC, and don't look back.
 
SilverTpt999 said:
This might not be the prevailing view around here, but I have to ask: Why are you seriously considering vintage-ish McIntosh for Redbook playback?

Every McIntosh unit had the internals from different OEMs, most importantly the transport. Which makes business sense. However, in my strongest opinion, McIntosh is at its best when they make truly bespoke circuits/components. Their amps and pres are works of art. But, even if they tweaked the output stage of these things, DACs have moved so far ahead it doesn't matter if they were state of the art at the time; they're obsolete (except as transports). Yet, the name alone will allow these old units to fetch reasonably high prices. If that's your budget, well...

I would advise you to look elsewhere. Find a great transport and get a modern DAC. Heck, even a relatively poor transport and a modern DAC (Schiit Modi Multibit or Chord Hugo would be my very short list) should dramatically outperform ANY redbook playback machine from any manufacturer more than 2-3 years old. The DAC tech has come that far, that fast. Get a decent, used CD transport for cheap and a modern DAC, and don't look back.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm starting to explore. Makes sense.
 
In regards of looking for a MAC cd player, I would recommend either the MVP861 or 871. Pre-owned units can be had at a decent price. I've owned the 871 for years and love it's neutral sound.Also, both will play every kind of disc except Blu-ray.
 
MVP861, 871, 881, and 851 are great players, smooth and yet well defined. They may not be a MCD 500, but are almost as good for a fraction of the price. And if you want to play a SACD or DVD-a you can do that, too. The older players your just stuck with CD's. My MCD 7005 and 7007 didn't come with in a mile of my 861. I always thought the 7007 and 5 sounded like the sound was coming from left right and an out of focus center. Where the imaging of the 861 is wider than the speakers by a bit and flows evenly between the two speakers with a great center when called for. Every instrument is in its place. I really don't need a center channel speaker for stereo anymore. Highs are sweeter and the area from 500 to 3,000 is not as hard. Using the balanced out of the 861 is great for CD-s if your unit has balanced inputs.
 
I was going to suggest MVP-851 or MVP-861 which plays SACD. I have both, but the MVP-861 refuses to read the TOC on a few CDs...

also, MVP851 remembers where you pressed STOP and picks up from there when you PLAY next time, but the 861 restarts from track 1 every time....
 
I owned an MVP851 and would recommend it. I only parted with it as I moved away from CDs. As SACD was added with the 861, that is the point where the price in the MVP line increases significantly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom