MDA1000 Purchased

Which sounds better to you? MDA1000 or MCD1100?

Steve said:

Which sounds better to you? MDA1000 or MCD1100?

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Steve...

I have been playing a series of David Bowie tunes via the MB100 [Blackstar particularly] and I am astonished at the difference between in clarity, punch, presence and the rich full bodied sound -- the soundstage has opened up perhaps.

For me...the MDA1000 wins hands down. I will not return to the MCD1100 as a DAC.

Of note, I read through the owners manual and the manufacturing of the unit is similar to the C1000 trio. I'm impressed and darn kewl.

Dare I say, I now want the MCD1000 now.

I'd love to own a MDA1000 but dare say a 240v version would be almost impossible to find.

Congrats. Makes a perfectly matched addition to your C1000 trio. :thumbsup:

Steve said:

I'd love to own a MDA1000 but dare say a 240v version would be almost impossible to find.

Congrats. Makes a perfectly matched addition to your C1000 trio.

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Steve...

I have been searching for a 2009 model since the purchase of my C1000 trio. I checked every single day: AudioGon, Audio Forums, USA Audio Mart, eBay, Audio Classics and many more. When I found this, I was doubtful it was real. I was prepared to file a claim with my Visa for possible fraud. But the guy, and audio retailer on his own, was true to his word. With the exception of Audio Classics, I have never purchased something in that price category from any of the venues I mentioned. In fact, I have never purchased anything from AudioGon or USA Audio Mart.

I will keep a look out for you. I don't mind. I love the chase.


David

Congratulations David. Great score!

Golucid said:

Dan...


I received the MDA1000 today in mint condition. Both the MDA1000, remote, power cord and owners manual appear used. I am suspicious that the item was even registered with McIntosh. I am going to inquire with Chuck H. to find out.


MDA1000 serial is: VF1480 and manufactured December 2009.


I integrated the DAC into my system already and am startled to hear a vast difference between the MDA1000 versus my MCD1100 [used as a DAC].


I value the many source inputs and ease of navigation through the various source types. Of course, The build quality is exceptional just like my C1000 trio, something that McIntosh can no longer boast with their current new product line up.

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David.......Holy mackerel, she's a beauty. I hope you meant to say it appears unused, because it looks practically new to me. I am truly happy for you.

I figure it is just a matter of time before you locate and purchase the MCD1000. It is the MDA1000's mate and will round out your McIntosh 1000 series stack perfectly.

David. What a beauty. Maybe time to show us full stack ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Now that's a good looking DAC! Congrats David. Is there any reason why these 10 year old Mc DAC's are so highly sought after vs the newer ones? Is there a particular chip Mc used? Basically, why is it so highly sought after?

You do realize a 10 year old DAC being highly sought after throws my whole "DAC of the month club" out of whack. [emoji6]

Steve said:

I'd love to own a MDA1000 but dare say a 240v version would be almost impossible to find.

Congrats. Makes a perfectly matched addition to your C1000 trio. :thumbsup:

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Hi Steve,
I will never sell my MDA1000 but you know it is very easy to convert internally a 110V unit to 240.

David........Congrats on being in the MDA1K club! Since I don't spin much disc anymore....a MCD1K is not in my sights.

You probably know this but Terry D has one for sale on his site.

http://www.mcintoshaudio.com/

Lavon.......Great find. Way to go.

'cisco said:

David........Congrats on being in the MDA1K club! Since I don't spin much disc anymore....a MCD1K is not in my sights.


You probably know this but Terry D has one for sale on his site.


http://www.mcintoshaudio.com/

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Hey Cisco, I noticed the listing a bit ago. The price is extraordinary set at $5500.

Thanks for the warm welcome to the MDA1K club. I'm loving it. I am using one of each of the source inputs.

#########
As a compliment to the MDA1000, I am considering per @Elberoth [the following captured under the WTB: MDA1000]


"For starters - it lacks the USB input and it is limited to 176khz sampling rate. But if you get a quality USB to SPDIF converter like the Berkeley Alpha USB, the DAC more than holds itself compared to any current offerings in the $5-7k range."

The Price point for the USB compliment stands at around $1,895.00 and The Absolute sound did a hefty review. The following is the article concluding comments:

"Conclusion
The Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB is a breakthrough product that not only overcomes the limitations of the USB interface, but provides a state-of-the-art method of getting audio out of a computer. Moreover, the Alpha USB makes this reference-quality performance available to non-technical music lovers who have a Macintosh and a DAC.


Though the Alpha USB’s $1895 price is considerably more than that of other USB converters, the Alpha is a bargain when you consider that it provides a simple, foolproof path for creating a state-of-the-art music server. Moreover, the entire digital front end of the iMac, Alpha USB, Alpha DAC, Pure Music software, and Straightwire digital interconnects costs about $8300. That’s not chump change by any measure, but it’s eminently reasonable for a music server and a DAC that deliver this level of performance. I listened to this digital front end as a source for electronics and loudspeakers that together cost more than $400k, yet never felt that the digital source was the weak link in the chain. In fact, I had the opposite reaction: This source allowed me to hear these ultra-exotic electronics and loudspeakers at their best.


One day computer-based music systems will be simple to set up, foolproof, ubiquitous, and uncompromised in sound quality. The Berkeley Alpha USB represents a giant leap forward in realizing this goal."

Source Online Article

#########

Though the unit at a technical specification level lacks USB and is limited to 176khz sampling rate, I am blown away with the MDA performance. In this case, I am delighted I am not clever enough to perceive the limits. In my case, I embrace my ignorance is bliss. After having stated my above comment...my bliss is a little compromised. I just may have to buy the Alpha DAC or one like it. Hmmmm.

David, as I see it, you have a few options to maximize the performance of the MDA1000:

1. Berkeley Alpha USB - then you can use whatever USB based source you want, including something like the N100H
2. Lumin U1 (use the AES/EBU)
3. Aurender N10 (use the AES/EBU)

I have a Berkeley Alpha USB I would be happy to send you to try if you want. It's quite a nice piece. Definitely does what everyone says.

David.......An additional option that will allow USB connectivity to the MDA1000 is the Bryston BUC-1. Pete (Vintage Pete) uses the BUC-1 with his MDA1000 to connect his laptop loaded with high-res music. It sounds fabulous. It is available in black or silver.

http://bryston.com/products/digital_audio/BUC-1.html

Mike said:

David, as I see it, you have a few options to maximize the performance of the MDA1000:

1. Berkeley Alpha USB - then you can use whatever USB based source you want, including something like the N100H
2. Lumin U1 (use the AES/EBU)
3. Aurender N10 (use the AES/EBU)

I have a Berkeley Alpha USB I would be happy to send you to try if you want. It's quite a nice piece. Definitely does what everyone says.

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Hey Mr. Mike!

The following options would work for me as I see it [still exploring]:

1. The Surender UC100 USB Audio 2.0 to SPDIF (COAX) converter. I could at long last do a side by side comparison between the MB100 and the N100H.
2. Berkeley Alpha USB

As far as I can tell, the AES/EBU is not an option. See the owners manual photo embedded here.

Golucid said:

Hey Mr. Mike!

The following options would work for me as I see it [still exploring]:

1. The Surender UC100 USB Audio 2.0 to SPDIF (COAX) converter. I could at long last do a side by side comparison between the MB100 and the N100H.
2. Berkeley Alpha USB

As far as I can tell, the AES/EBU is not an option. See the owners manual photo embedded here.

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That's an interesting question. I can't imagine the AES/EBU would not work. You may want to call McIntosh.

Yes, I forgot about the Aurender UC100 as well. Good choice too.

Double-D said:

David.......An additional option that will allow USB connectivity to the MDA1000 is the Bryston BUC-1. Pete (Vintage Pete) uses the BUC-1 with his MDA1000 to connect his laptop loaded with high-res music. It sounds fabulous. It is available in black or silver.

http://bryston.com/products/digital_audio/BUC-1.html

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Pete is no fool. I just read a terrific review and the price is logical and rational for me: $799. Home Theater HiFi did a hefty review. The following is the article concluding comments:

Conclusions about the BUC-1 USB Converter


The Bryston BUC-1 is a very useful device for those of you who have purchased expensive outboard DACs years ago, and which do not have asynchronous USB inputs. You may also have a nice receiver for which you want to add a USB input so you can play music from your computer. It does the job extremely well, is superbly built, and priced right.

Source Online Article

Dan...

I do like to spend money but when I do, I growl and wail like a banshee. I don't like to spend just for the sake of spending. It must make sense to me. Would you mind looping back to Pete and let me know the logic of why he liked the Bryston over all other options/brands. Without a doubt, he gave serious pause to the decision.

An other option for a SPDIF - USB converter is the Musical Fidelity V LINK 192. Cheap ( 250 euros) ( actually cheaper than my WW USB PLATINUM cable ! ) and it has a coax and an AES output.

Mike said:

Is there any reason why these 10 year old Mc DAC's are so highly sought after vs the newer ones? Is there a particular chip Mc used? Basically, why is it so highly sought after?[emoji6]

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Mike...

This is a question for Dan and Vintage Pete. Like you, I am equally curious. Dan...can you chime in?