McIntosh MCD500 vs Marantz SA7S1

Know Talent,
Any updates on the MCD 500?

I have both in my home and I prefer the marantz by a wide margin. The mac seams to mask some things.

I had previously spent some time with all of the Mac CD/SACD players, albeit the time was very limited.

Just spent the entire weekend with the MCD201 on loan - initially ran it through my Sonic Frontiers Line 2 SE+, but after a couple of hours I decided to try it driving my Bryston 14B SST....WOW!!!

I'm going today to order either the 301, or hopefully the 500 - either way I will be running without a pre in the future. I have been auditioning CD/SACD players for a while now, tried the Marantz SA7S1 and the Ayre 5xe among a few others....I honestly believe the Mac 201 beats them when run direct, I hope to know soon just how much better the 301 or 500 sounds when run direct.

Really surprised at the previous comment that the Mac masks things, I would comment that the Marantz is missing some details, and that the Ayre is artificial.

Anyway, I'm having a BIG MAC attack!!

Go listen.

Being somewhat familiar with both brands digital equipment I tend to credit more Mtdking comment.
Running direct or not is another matter. If you prefer running direct it usually indicates to weakness in preamplifier. In this case a good passive like TVC may help a lot.

Actually, regardless of the preamp the ideal would be to feed directly - anything you can remove from the path the signal has to follow has to be an improvement.

The pre in question is a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 SE that was just back to Parts Connexion for a once over - all was perfect - so....again, removing something from the signal path is better.

In direct comparison between the SA7S1 and the MCD301 the Mac improved the width and depth of the image in front of me, and the sound was definitely fuller. Bass was tighter and deeper with the Mac, and the highs were smooth and very focussed.

When I heard the MCD500 I noted these qualities as well, albeit that particular audition was not in my own system.

My home speakers are Monitor Audio PL300's with the ribbon tweeter; everything in front of these speakers is scrutinized at a very high level.

It always boils down to personal preference, but the only way to have that preference is through spending some reasonable period of time listening.

I only suggest that buyers get out and hear the new MCD500 or the MCD301....and make your decision based on what you hear.