MS300 Review on Six Moons

[JimmyNeutron]

Everyone has made great points and counterpoints - I appreciate it. But I think jrsystems may be correct - the MS300 may not be for me. I think music servers are great, and I would love for McIntosh to build one, but ultimately the amount of dinero being asked for a product that is McIntosh in name only just cannot do justice to not only many other less expensive units with the same functionality, but to my pocket book as well. As prices keep falling for servers I hope McIntosh decides to release a less expensive unit, or more importantly, a unit designed and built (mostly) by McIntosh. I really would like to see the MS300 sitting next to my C-39, MC7270, and MC7200, but for +/- $5000.00 I just can't give the MS300 my thumbs up - if only on the price. Sorry Mac. Thanks to everyone for the replies and for keeping this thread civil and not turning a discussion into a bashing party.

Jimmy

 

[ron-c]

I think this has been talked out well. As far as the MS300 working with the Escient peripherals we will have a new software download that smooths this out before Christmas. There has been so many software versions on all of the accessories this new download will let all of them talk. Multiple MS300s will appear as one with the new software also.
The software updates occur at night over the Ethernet connection to the MS300.

thanks,
Ron-C

 

[Negotiableterms]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and for keeping this thread civil and not turning a discussion into a bashing party.

Oops... I knew something was missing. I just hate it when we forget to flame!

 

[jrsystems]

Ron, how will we know when it is updated?

 

[ron-c]

The software number will change on your unit. It is in the set up menu. I will find out the new software number this week.

Thanks,
Ron

 

[Brian]

Guess I'm too much into vintage. I can not figure out what this thing is even used for. The guts look like my computer and the outside looks like a cd player. The keyboard looks like the accessory keyboard I use on my Toshiba Libretto. The only thing I understand is it uses Linux. I am using it on this laptop. Even the o/s to me is vintage since I started with Tandy Xenix and then moved to SCO UNIX before ever trying MS-DOS and later Windows. AT the asking price, it seems you could get a Mac G5 pretty much fully decked out and do the same thing. I admit I don't do multimedia, photo stuff on the computer, just work.

 

[jrsystems]

Thanks Ron!

 

[Number 9]

Guess I'm too much into vintage.

Brian. I just don't understand why you've grappled with this ... you've made the comment once before.

Just think of it as a uber-CD-Jukebox. Imagine the convenience of calling up any one of a 1000 CDs stored on the MS300 hard drive in seconds. Imagine the convenience of calling up extended disk information over the Internet. How many CDs do you own? Don't you find it a PIA to finding the CD you want, then playing it, then putting it away each time. Here, your entire CD collection can be easily accessed, not to mention, any vinyl that you decide to archive onto the hard drive as well (literally in seconds). Don't look at it in technical terms. Forget about the Linux and the technology behind it, and look at what it simply does. Yes, a Mac G5 almost does the same but does not sound anywhere as good (gr?) or look as nice in a hi-fi rack, or is as convenient to use.

 

[Negotiableterms]

Brian. I just don't understand why you've grappled with this ... you've made the comment once before.
Just think of it as a uber-CD-Jukebox. Imagine the convenience of calling up any one of a 1000 CDs stored on the MS300 hard drive in seconds. Imagine the convenience of calling up extended disk information over the Internet. Forget about the Linux and the technology behind it, and look at what it simply does.

Methinks Brian is advancing excuses to avoid looking at something that he secretly knows he'd like, in order to avoid having to explain the cost to his wife. I know I didn't buy one at first for that same reason.

 

[mike175gr]

I have been really resistant about this product, but I spent a lot of time today searching through stacks of cds for a certain one, only to find it and drop it on the floor in my haste. If I could have all of my cds on the MS300 and just do a quick search and then stand back and enjoy, then I am almost there..

Instead of buying a MCD-205 for when I entertain, I could just create a playlist from the library right?

From what Ron has said, if I just use the digital out and use the DACs in my MX-119 I should be completely set up. (I think that I have myself convinced now!)

The final delightful aspect is that my wife won't notice another Mcintosh box as it will blend in......

 

[Negotiableterms]

I have been really resistant about this product, but I spent a lot of time today searching through stacks of cds for a certain one, only to find it and drop it on the floor in my haste. If I could have all of my cds on the MS300 and just do a quick search and then stand back and enjoy, then I am almost there..

Instead of buying a MCD-205 for when I entertain, I could just create a playlist from the library right?

From what Ron has said, if I just use the digital out and use the DACs in my MX-119 I should be completely set up. (I think that I have myself convinced now!)

The final delightful aspect is that my wife won't notice another Mcintosh box as it will blend in......

Ron? Oh, Ron??? We have a live one in Los Gatos!! Call Fedex!

 

[theodoric]

Mike, go see Doug over at Century Stereo tomorrow after work. He'll be happy to show you an MS300. Not really the product for me, but perfect for my wife.

 

[mike175gr]

You guys crack me up! I will be in SF tomorrow for a business meeting, but I might need to stop by House of Music and check out the XRT2K set up. It would help me justify another "mere mortal" purchase of a MS300 or a MC-402....

 

[jrsystems]

It is perfect for entertaining. You can make a playlist for any occassion very easily. But when you do entertain, the best part is showing it off to your friends. Now here's a gadget none of them have!

JR

 

[ron-c]

I visited a dealer last week, Tri-City Electronics, in Conover NC. and they were using the MS300 with the big 2KW system. Running the MS300 through the MDA1000 left nothing to be desired. The system was detailed, articulate, and a delight to listen to.

thanks,
Ron-C

 

[Negotiableterms]

Running the MS300 through the MDA1000 left nothing to be desired. The system was detailed, articulate, and a delight to listen to.

Ya know, I think I've asked what that combo would be like about 100 times, and couldn't get a straight answer from anyone, except MasterLu, who opined that it wasn't up to snuff.

Now, if I could just decide between the unknowable MCD-201 and that combo, I'd run off to the dealer and increase your 4th quarter gross.

 

[Brian]

Number 9,
Actually, my CD count is about 20 of which I have listened to each maybe once or twice. Still find the medium less involving than vinyl. The computer based formats so far I have found even less so. If it is a question of a cataloging system the there is a computer based caddie I recently saw at TigerDierct that hooks into you PC and you can store up to 100 disks and the associated software will let you find a file and dial the disk. Cost is somethng like $75. Yes, I have tried to think about it on a positive note but to no avail and no I don't see myself buying it or anything like it anytime soon.

 

[Number 9]

Actually, my CD count is about 20 of which I have listened to each maybe once or twice.

Brian. Then I can't see you using it.
I've got over 1200 CDs and growing, and I would love the ability to do click click and immediatly play an album or set of songs. As I get older, I crave convenience. With Flac lossless compression, music stored on the server will sound identical to the CD.
I grew up with vinyl, but find that CDs mastered or remastered since 1996 or so, usually fine. Prior to that, I agree with you.

 

[Negotiableterms]

If you only have 20 CDs, I'd recommend you sell the CDs and skip buying anything. An MS-300 is out, unless you feel a need to get some of those fragile vinyl things loaded into it against future degradation, and then have the MS-300 make CDRs for you.

Other than digital archiving, you've no need to spend any money, let alone $5100!

 

[skippy_ps]

Ok, this whole discussion has piqued my interest in the MS-300. Now for some dumb questions:

1. Are you guys displaying the inventory of cds on a tv monitor that's hooked to a ht receiver or direct to the tv?

2. Could the MS-300 video output be connected to a computer monitor, with an s-video or composite input, and then controlled directly from a computer? Assume here that the cat 5 cable from the MS-300 is already hooked up to the same hub or router that the computer is hooked up to.

I'm guessing that a lot of guys, like me, have a computer in the same room as their ht or 2 channel setup. Since the computer is on all the time except when I'm asleep, and the tv isn't, being able to control the MS-300 from the computer would make more sense to me. I think.

Murray