CD-player McIntosh MCD1100
Masthead in the company's catalog McIntosh Laboratory source MCD1100 placed on chip DAC, revered for many fans of high-resolution records for the most promising - Sabre32 Reference Audio DAC ES9018. Eight 32-bit DAC architecture HyperStream, patented by ESS Technology, used in the symmetric inclusion stereomode (the right and left audio channel gets four channels DAC). It provides processing of a digital signal with a maximum resolution of 32 bit/192 kHz. Linear power supply includes power transformer R-Core and a set of voltage regulators to supply regulated power different parts of the circuit.
Heavy and traditionally very solid body composed of independent blocks. One - the front panel with backlight and illumination control of the electronics (as in amplifiers McIntosh, in order to eliminate interference to the signal chain all rendered in a separate section). The second - the main body, which is divided in the horizontal plane on the chassis of mirror stainless steel and the upper part of anodized aluminum. Unusual final piece is reinforced on the top cover glass panel with a block diagram of the apparatus. Switching arsenal, as always with the firm, rich. The player has two sets of analog outputs - with adjustable and fixed output level, and in both cases are available outputs on RCA connectors and XLR. Digital inputs and outputs are also fully redundant, which is uncommon. There are four options: balanced digital AES/EBU, digital coaxial RCA, digital coaxial BNC and "optics". The only difference is in violation of this symmetry "input - output" - the input port USB 2.0 type B. The maximum resolution of transmitted files can be either 24-bit/192 kHz or 32 bit/96 kHz. Unusual location of connectors - analog mounted in the upper part of the body, and all digital - in the lower compartment, and directly under the analog outputs due to individual placing the power supply, analog and digital part of the player.
Look familiar to the front of the McIntosh and determined by the characteristic square buttons, similar to the ancient push-button switches (but actually Intended setting of just on the press), and branded as bright illumination in a strictly specified colors of red, blue and emerald green. Next to players of other brands that lights could be considered garish, but compared to the amplifiers of the company, with their giant blue arrow windows, MCD1100 looks even restrained. However, such a recognizable design can not be criticized, because it is - history and tradition going since 1967, which has consistently adhered to McIntosh. The front panel is framed strictly symmetrical. At its center is a section of transport with cast aluminum feed chute. The volume level on the corresponding analog outputs at the back and in the channel headphone on the front panel varies synchronously with the right of the regulator; left arm switches tracks. Two separate screen displays information related to the disc playback, and the current volume. The remote control is pretty big, but not heavy, made of velvety plastic. He thickly strewn with small buttons of different sizes and purposes, broken into zones; in the dark keys are highlighted in purple. Have McIntosh MCD1100 and menus, but it is not connected with any internal device of the player options (for example, switched digital filters, etc..), But only allows the use of advanced text capabilities of CD and SACD. In general, the unit is one of the very friendly interface and intuitive - included, and use.
In our test partners for McIntosh MCD1100 served as speakers Focal Electra 1008 Be II and Integrated Amplifier Bryston B100 SST2, switching cables carried Analysis-Plus. On the first track ("warm-up" wheels with light popular music), it became clear that the path is present very high-quality source. He imposed a distinct individual stamp in the form of significantly increased volume, soft thick waves surround sound and confident soundstage to share effectively. Compared with the younger player McIntosh MCD301, which I somehow had a chance to listen in conjunction with Penaudio Sinfonia and masthead amplifier kits Hegel, in the handwriting MCD1100 observed much more noble and less immediacy in sophisticated music Crossing cheaper machine linearity. McIntosh signature sound with his eternal a benchmark - for listening comfort - fully present and there, but flavored, in accordance with the class system, style and subtlety of presentation. All records and genres player was easy and pleasant to listen to, he brings to the surface a lot of details and did it consistently beautiful. The upper part of the frequency range recoup very well on separateness and resolution of individual notes, but also very soft. On the whole, the sound should be characterized as delicately rounded, velvety, with a slightly muted contrast. On our scale "true comfort", which was discussed above, McIntosh MCD1100 was good in terms of reproducible instrumental parts and transparent lines, but for a complete approach to the ideal he did not have the brightness, focus and surprise. In tracks with fancy breaking rhythm, as, say, "Scythian Suite" by Prokofiev, or ringing in the dramatic peaks, as in Verdi's Requiem, it is beautiful, but a little smoother sound left an impression offset by the intensity of emotions and general alleviation of the moment. However, very much depends on the environment; in this dish everyone can add to the taste of ingredients or pepper him good quality foundation. Used in conjunction with Focal Electra 1008 Be II, having instant reaction and filigree fine touch, unshakable relaxed great sound McIntosh MCD1100 fairly compensated and was chosen. This harmonious union of yin and yang philosophers perceived positively, precisely because of the integrity, style and concept of sound.
