Mcintosh MDA 1000, world class or ..?

I like Mac stuff IN ITS PROPER PLACE, particularly my new MC275 amp. But some of the Mac-folk on AK remind me a little bit of certain Fundamentalists, whose reality doesn't seem to extend much beyond McINTOSH ;--)

It's amusing to me, but they have no sense of humor about it. And though McIntosh has had a number of bombs, they stridently defend the brand. I'm not saying their DAC isn't any good, but before you believe the "raves" I'd do some A-B ing if I were you -- Mac-fundamentalists never A-B Mac equipment with other brands (why bother ;--)
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The MDA1000 is an amazing DAC, I have not A/B compaired it to other DAC's but have heard other DAC's and do beleave it is one of the best. Using my preamp I have done A/B compairsons with the DAC in and out and there is a hugh difference, almost analog like. I will never trade mine for anything else. I like McIntosh gear but I like DIY better these days.

mark

Thank you very much for the responses. I just want to explain my background. I have recently sold my Dcs Elgar/Purcell that I had been using for 7-8 years. At the time I bought them, they were the leader in upsampling technology and I lived happily with them for quite a long time. I need a new dac that improves on my Dcs but without the complication of the Elgar/purcell and all the cables involved(I also used the Apogee Big Ben which necessitate 5 aes-ebu to connect all of them)
Mark, could you give me more details about your a/b comparison test between Mcd 1000 and other dacs. Have you compared with Dcs?

I have had the mda1000 for some time now and I can assure you its one of the best out there. I use a Slimdevices SB3 into the mda1000 directly driving the MC275 power amp.
I have compared this DAC to the Audio Aero Prima dac and Bel Canto DAC3 and the MDA 1K was much better. Its the most natural sounding dac with plently of details. This DAC is fully balanced diff DAC and has a very solid preamp built into it.
You should definitely audition it.