compare new McIntosh universal player with DV-50

On second thought, it isnt all that funny. Though my wife feels it's the "unloading" time that's truely important.

Does the lack of responses to this thread mean that this player is too new for 'goners' to own one, or, are 'goners' staying away from it?

I wonder the same thing, Pardales. A large number of 'goners' don't like McIntosh. I beleive this is a 'silly' attitude. Too many 'high-enders' Mac stuff is for Doctors, Lawyers, and other rather staid rich folks, but not for "serious audiophiles'. They seem to forget that Mac has given us some of the most innovative products the industry has produced, like the MR-78 tuner, for instance. If this player has new and innovative circuits, and allows the user to switch from the SACD layer to the standard 'redbook' layer from the front panel without the use of a video monitor, then I really want to hear it and compare it to the vaunted DCS,Meitner, and other exotic, ultra refined (and priced) gear. We may be in for a surprise.

I've had 3 MCD 205's, 2 MVP 851's, and most recently an MVP 861. Every single one of them (including the MVP 861) has had very significant problems tracking my CD's...all new and unmarked. I was in possession of my MVP 861 for 3 days when it started to crap out and yesterday I took it in for servicing in the Vancouver-area service depot. MacIntosh had kindly shipped a new transport mechanism for replacement on an urgent basis. I just got a call from the service tech who told me that the new transport is equally as faulty as the one it replaced and that it still will not read my CD's.

I am truly unhappy about this. I absolutley love the Mac sound and the MVP 861, when functional, sounds superb. It blows everythin else I've listened too out of the water. CD, SACD, and DVD Audio have never sounded so good. Video performance is equally astounding. But there is something truly wrong with this series of machines. I don't have a clue what the problem is (hardware or software) and I am disheartedned as hell ATM.

Doug

I am really sorry to hear about your expereince Dokter Doug, but am glad to hear that the sound was good when it did work. I have the 205 changer (which I bought new) and have had no problems with it. My dealer who sells MAC said they have gotten many 205's back with problems. If you get your 861 back and decide to stick with it, or if you keep having problems, do let us know. It is disheartnening to hear of such problems with MAC gear and I hope it is not a symptom of larger problems at MCINTOSH LABS.