May 22, 200917 yr comment_237031 Has anyone had a chance to hear the new McIntosh SACD/CD beast yet. I'm pretty sure this uses the new ESS ES9018 chip. It also has SPDIF in so this is certainly a contender for the 2-channel system. Well except for the fact it has a $6500 MSRP and at that price point it better be pretty special. Report
May 22, 200917 yr comment_237057 Has anyone had a chance to hear the new McIntosh SACD/CD beast yet. I'm pretty sure this uses the new ESS ES9018 chip. Have they updated to the es9018 chip? Last I heard they were still using the older 9008 one, but I did most of my research a few months ago and there was talk of a refresh. When I was upgrading my office system at work, I briefly considered this as an all in one solution due to it's headphone output, pre-amp capabilities, sacd and, in my opinion, really cool looks. I finally ended up heading in a different direction due mostly to the fact that this massive beast would have drawn too much attention in the workplace. Edited May 22, 200917 yr by raif grammar and mornings never mix well Report
May 22, 200917 yr comment_237071 i haven't heard it. i've heard a couple of their past players (released in the last couple years), and i wasn't impressed. It seems digital isn't really McIntosh's strength. The Stereophile measurements of the McIntosh networked audio server were pretty abysmal. It'll be interesting to see if this one is a different story. Report
May 23, 200917 yr Author comment_237247 i haven't heard it. i've heard a couple of their past players (released in the last couple years), and i wasn't impressed. Yep, me too. That's why I asked, you know, hope springs eternal, yada yada yada ... Have they updated to the es9018 chip? Last I heard they were still using the older 9008 one, but I did most of my research a few months ago and there was talk of a refresh. Not sure if it is using the es9008 or es9018. I did send them an email asking but I doubt they will respond. It's in this month's Stereophile or TAS or something... Yep, but it is in Sam's column so no measurements. Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237249 Yep, but it is in Sam's column so no measurements. As in Tellig? Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237250 McIntosh should stick to tube amps and pres. There are some people that prefer all their equipment match, and will pay hansomely for that. Especially if it has a name people look at and coo over. Report
May 23, 200917 yr Author comment_237254 As in Tellig? The very one. Hence why I was asking for other opinions. There are some people that prefer all their equipment match, and will pay hansomely for that. Especially if it has a name people look at and coo over. I simply make little, matching coats for all my equipment. Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237255 Yep, but it is in Sam's column so no measurements. So, of course, it's wonderful. How many times did Sam laugh his evil laugh? :basement::basement: Edit: for tkam, this is weird that 5 "basements" in a row do this. Is there a limit of 3 in a row? Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237257 Edit: for tkam, this is weird that 5 "basements" in a row do this. Is there a limit of 3 in a row? It serves as a buffer for Reks. The man digs fast, but he has to rest once in a while. Report
May 23, 200917 yr Author comment_237298 :basement: :basement: It works with a space between them. The direction a thread will take on Head-Case is definitely an example of chaotic dynamics. Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237404 ESS Technology Inc. announced that its Sabre Reference eight-channel audio D/A converter (ES9008 ) is incorporated in the new McIntosh Laboratory MCD500 SACD/CD Player, scheduled for availability in Aug. From businessweek. Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237415 :basement::basement: Moved the facepalm and a$$hat to the end and it works without spaces. Report
May 23, 200917 yr comment_237416 fun with reebuses? reebii? whatever the plural of rebus is.... a "romp of rebus" perhaps? anyone? Report
May 24, 200917 yr Author comment_237474 ESS Technology Inc. announced that its Sabre Reference eight-channel audio D/A converter (ES9008 ) is incorporated in the new McIntosh Laboratory MCD500 SACD/CD Player, scheduled for availability in Aug. From businessweek. Old news. The actual story is from last August. It was rumored after the Sabre32 was announced that the MCD500 may be updated with the new chip and supporting silicon. It is still unclear, at least to me, if the current MCD500's are using the new or old ESS chips. Report
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