McIntosh MCD 201 CD/SACD player questions about viability of an older piece.


I have an opportunity to get a MCD201 CD.SACD player in a partial trade deal. probably used value about $2k

I currently do not have a CD transport/player I have been mostly steaming Digital after my multi disc player stopped working a few years ago.  I also have zero SACD's but a few hundred CD's. 

I just ordered MC2700 Preamp with the dac2 module and was thinking of adding a transport but frankly I do not see the value in the new McIntosh CD transports, the entry level one MCT80 is $5000USD, for a transport that seems over priced to me, regardless of how it looks on the outside its just a transport. 

So I have a friend who owns a MCD 201 who wants to do a trade deal.  yes its getting older (2007-2008 vintage)but its been serviced and works as it should ( for now).

I'll be using it as a transport only as i feel the DAC in it is dated and the new one in the C2700 should be a better sounding DAC, I'm assuming. 

Any recommendations either way as I know there are many transports for well under $1k that would do the job as well and with a new drive may be more reliable long term. obviously the others would not have the integration of a mac CD-preamp system. 

What's your thoughts, pass or consider? 

Cheers. 

128x128glennewdick

after my multi disc player stopped working a few years ago

My local dealer would not take any used disc players in trade, the drives and lasers can fail and have no replacements available. 

I would chat w Randy Vikan at Elite Audio Technician in Washington state. He is awesome. Only works on Mac and Primare gear. He will have good input on reliability and importantly parts availability. I trust him completely w all my mac gear.

Jim

I owned the MCD205 for a few years which was the 5 CD MusicBank version of the 201. It had great sound and I don’t feel the internal DAC would let you down.

However, if you search here and other forums the 201 did have some reliability issues with the transport/laser assembly. It didn’t seem widespread, just something to research and consider before you make the deal.