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SACD Players

Hello,

New member here. I am looking to add an SACD player in order to play the DSD layer of SACD directly. Based on my research I have shortlisted PS Audio Direct Stream Memory player and McIntosh MCT500.

Option 1) I currently own McIntosh MA5300 which means I can use MCT500 with supplied DIN cable connected to MA5300’s DA1

Option 2) Purchase PS Audio Direct Stream Memory player and DirectStream DAC MK1 (Both discontinued)

From what I understand the memory buffering and Air Lens would make the media sound better. Whereas, I haven’t found many reviews on MCT500.

Both options would roughly cost the same. I am looking for the better sound. Which option is better? Any advice or insights would help.

Thank you,

SA

rlsammie
upstateaudiophile
28 posts
 

I have the McIntosh 8950 and MCT500. The pairing is amazing. I now strongly prefer to listen to cd over streaming. Using the DA2 DAC I’m the 8950 for everything. Flipping between optical and the MCT din cable, the din cable sounds best. It was a little finicky at first where if I push it in too far it can drop signal. McIntosh said this cable is like that. It was not a short in the cable either as I have 2z 

mahler123
3,318 posts
 


What kind of a connection is that between the 2 McIntosh components?  I used to have a Sony SACD player that had a proprietary connection to a Sony AVR and then later a Pioneer Elite DVD/SACD player with a similar link to a Pioneer AVR.  These links were FireWire and sounded very good indeed 

rlsammie OP
9 posts
 

@richardbrand 

:) It's all good. My surround system is a very basic Dolby Atmos Yamaha receiver. Thank you for the suggestions. I will definitely check them out. 

rlsammie OP
9 posts
 

@upstateaudiophile 

I am really happy to know, I am also glad that I went with the MCT500. It simplifies things with my setup and leaves some extra money on my account. I am super excited to hook it up and spend some time with it over the weekend. 

rlsammie OP
9 posts
 

@mahler123 

Hi,

The proprietary connection is called MCT. The McIntosh MCT500 CD/SACD player comes with the DIN cable which you plug into the MCT port on both ends. 

It looks something like this:

https://mww.serial-cable.com/din-cable/8-pin-din-cable/8-pin-mini-din-plug-to-8-pin-mini-din-plug.html

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