Opinion on McIntosh MCD 201 SACD player

I was told the "MCD201 is a bit better than the MCD205 on CD. The MCD201 does add a SACD "playback". If you were only running CD's though, the variable output on the 201 would allow direct connection to a power amp, negating the need for any preamp. Based on the extra cost of the MCD201, I decided to keep my MCD205.

Looks like SACD is going to be with us awhile longer :)

http://www.sa-cd.net/shownews/41

I purchased mine 2 weeks ago. With a MC402 and C46.
My only problem with this machine is the motor noise when playing SACD. The whine can be heard 20 feet away. My dealer is contacting them on Monday. From what I have been able to find, I am not the first with this complaint.
By the way I am using B&W 804s right now with Nordost Red Dawn II.

The McIntosh MCD-201 seems to be getting mixed reviews. Some people love it and have actually compared it too the MCD-1000/MDA-1000 combo, while others say as above that it's noisy, takes a long time to read discs etc.. I personally have heard this unit once at Audioclassics with a C-2200 and MC-352, it sounded pretty good but it wasn't jaw dropping. I am wondering why some people use the player with pre-amps? Thats the great thing about the CD player, it can hook in directly to amps. I am still thinking of getting it to put with 501's, my dream amps.

Greeni,
Over on the Mac-forum of audiokharma, you will find quite a bit of info on this player. I am a Mc-fan myself, as far as their amps are concerned, but with the MCD 201, they have already brought out the 4th correction software. I would not touch it if I were you.