McIntosh MCD12000 vs. Luxman D-10X vs. Technics SL-G700M2

Update, I purchased the Technics SL-G700M2 and had been using it for the past10 months with my McIntosh MA12000 Integrated Amp. When using the Technics as a streamer, I used optical out into the DA-2 DAC in the MA12000 because the McIntosh MA12000 built in DA-2 DAC sounds better than the DAC in the Technics.

I also use XLR balance connection from the Technics to the MA12000 when I am playing SACD.

However, I cannot avoid the temptation to own a matching 75th anniversary edition of the MCD12000 McIntosh SACD/Reference DAC and MA12000 integrated amp.

So I ordered the MCD12000 75th Anniversary Edition last week. McIntosh happened to have 1 last 75th Anniversary Edition MCD12000 and quickly ship it to my dealer which I picked up today.

I wasn't expecting much improvement, but to my surprise, the Reference DAC in the MCD12000 sounds so much better than the DAC-2 in the MA12000 and for sure much better than the DAC inside the Technics.

It really was not comparable. The Bass especially ... I don't know I was missing so much bass when using the DAC-2 or the DAC in the Technics.

I am so glad that I bought the MCD12000, now the Technics SL-G700M2 will purely function as a streamer.

@bmwalpina

I saw your Jan 2025 comment regarding your MCD12000 purchase.  Congratulations sir.  I have not yet made a decision to take the leap from my Mark Levinson 519 CD/DAC/Streamer.  Frankly, I've not heard a more musical SACD unit than the MCD 12000, and since my system can be a bit "forward" in the higher frequencies on certain recordings (perhaps due to the Levinson DAC), the tube section of the MCD 12000 may be exactly what I need.  I've listened extensively to dCS, Esoteric, etc and all of these present the upper frequency detail in a manner that is "aggressively detailed" to my ears.  

It is my general experience that Mc products/systems can 'take the edge off' (in a good way), when excessive detail affects the playback undesirably.  Unfortunately, however, there is no way to audition the 12000 in my home system before making the purchase - hence, I wait for a sign that the 12000 will be the solution that gets me to the finish line.  If I make this move to the Mc, I will likely relegate my Levinson 519 to function only as a streamer for which it is very capable.  Happy listening.

@bmwalpina I am surprised that you find the new XD Esoterics "aggressively detailed" in the upper frequencies.  This has not been my experience with my K-03XD.  They have an r-2r topology in their new series of players which to my ears has fixed any of the previous models etched flavor.

@goose you mistaken the post from @jymc above as my post. I never have a chance to hear any Esoteric equipment in the past. So I cannot comment on Esoteric.

@jymc may I know what feature/function of the Mark Levinson 519 as a streamer that you like? I might be looking for a higher-end streamer in the next 6 months or so. Currently the Nagra streamer is one of my target, but I don’t like the fact, the Nagra only offer Coaxial output (for connection to non-Nagra DAC). I wish Nagra has at least a USB digital output.

For DAC, I think I am set for the next decade with the DAC inside the MCD-12000. You should try to listen to the MCD12000 at a McIntosh dealer and compare it to your Mark Levinson (by bringing your Mark Levinson to the McIntosh dealer) for a direct comparison. It might not be as accurate as doing it in your home, but you can at least confirm whether the MCD12000 tube output will help with the "forward" high frequency attenuation.