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McCormack UPD-1

McCormack universal player.

Does anyone know is the McCormack can be upgraded to have balanced outputs? If not, is it worth much? Would it be worth selling? I have an OPPO 93; does the Oppo 95, or 105 offer as good a player? I would like to sell the McCormack and buy a player that has good audio, but also plays Blu-Ray and is internally balanced. The McCormack is a good player; mine has minimal use, playing only SACDs. I now have an Esoteric DV 50s, which takes care of CDs and SACDs, which will play multi-channel SACDs. I think it will do well with regular DVDs.
My system is complicated; it uses the surround to a separate preamplifier. It would be nice to have a Blu0Ray with HDMI for all movies.
128x128ladycharnet
5 responses Add your response
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,730 posts
 
Lady-

I had to research my notes- it looks like the UPD-1 does not have any balanced offerings? I even looked up the Conrad Johnson (CJ) edition of this player, as I have always wanted one, it too only upgrades the internal parts -for the better...strange?

Most here like the newest Oppo 105, plus it can be modded w/ tubes if this is your thing.

On SACD, how does the UPD-1 compare against the DV-50 ?
ladycharnet's avatar
ladycharnet OP
59 posts
 
I Purchased an Oppo 105D now. Esoteric for music and now the Oppo for movies, that seems to cover the big system needs. I think I might sell the McCormack, then I think, I might keep it unless it is worth close to the deluxe model?.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,730 posts
 
Many Thanks!

The Esoteric really shines w/ XLR cables.
ladycharnet's avatar
ladycharnet OP
59 posts
 
The Esoteric DV 50s players, short of the new U series, is one of the best DVD players; it beats out the DV 60 and SA 60 on audio. The K1 and K3 does better with audio, but you really have to be a golden ears to notice. The main benefit is the better transport.

The McCormack has a different sound; it is lighter, more soft and maybe more delicate? This player is very good, but if you like dynamics and the ability to upgrade the sound of your older CDs, the Esoteric wins.
ladycharnet's avatar
ladycharnet OP
59 posts
 
I find the Oppo 105D to be very good audio. This is with a Classe SSP 25 used as a balanced preamplifier. The Classe SSP 25 is worth the going price as a preamplifier alone!

This is another topic, and not having the video set up yet, I will leave that to someone who knows this player better. I will say it is built like a tank, mine is silver and has a heavy metal front, which I did not expect?
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