General Asylum: REVIEW: McIntosh MCD201 CD Player/Recorder by carbonman

Model:	MCD201
Category:	CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price:
Description:	Single Play CD & SACD Player
Manufacturer URL:	McIntosh
Model Picture:	View

Review by carbonman on September 22, 2007 at 18:59:30
IP Address: 66.183.86.115 Add Your Review
for the MCD201

I had been agonizing over the replacement CD player for my ageing CAL CL-10 changer. A break & enter sped the process up, with my favorite dealer recommending the McIntosh MCD201 as an equivalent replacement.
This player isn't what I consider an equivalent replacement; the CL-10 hardly compares sonically.
Bass is very extended. I initially thought there was too much bass, but this impression disappeared as my new system burned in. Within a couple of days the sound was glorious. Detail throughout the entire audible range is phenominal, bringing back the 'listening to a whole new collection' syndrome once more.
There is no harshness to the upper registers despite the improved detail. My system is very easy to listen to for extended periods. SACD sounds very good, but I don't hear any astounding differences between CD and SACD at this point. Perhaps it will become more noticeable as my SACD collection expands from the current total of 4.
Load and start of play times are long for both disc formats. I find the wait somewhat irritating. The CL-10 loaded and commenced disc play very quickly in comparison.
I have had my new player stop play only once in 2 months of heavy use. For some reason it stopped playing a CD at the end of Track 5. Hitting 'Play' restarted the music and there have been no other issues. There are no mechanical noise issues from the drive, though I can hear a small click when it changes tracks, if I'm right beside or behind it and the sound is turned right down.
There are both balanced and unbalanced outputs on the back, and there are also separate fixed and variable outputs. The fixed and variable outputs can be used simultaneously. I have the fixed outputs connected to the CD inputs of the preamp and the variable outputs connected to a headphone amp with a crossfeed circuit. This way I have remote volume control whether the rest of the system is on or not.
The built-in headphone amplifier in the MCD201 is as good as my hotrodded PPA dedicated headphone amp. Those with hard to drive cans will find this player the answer to their listening dreams. There is a big volume control knob on the front panel. This knob operates both the headphone and rear variable outputs.
This unit is a perfect styling match to the rest of the McIntosh line, with the famous glass face and teal backlit logo. LEDs and fiberoptic lighting does away with the prospect of bulb replacement, a much-hated task with some of my older Mc gear.
Cheers,
Graham
"Blue meters, big watts. This must be Heaven!"

Product Weakness:	Very slow loading, TOC read and beginning of play <br>Faint tick on track changes may annoy some users
Product Strengths:	Incredible sound with extended bass<br>Choice of outputs<br>Truly superior headphone amplifier<br>Classical McIntosh styling

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: McIntosh MC252
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): McIntosh C45
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Thorens TD126 Mk. III, Ortofon Super OM40 cartridge
Speakers: Joseph Audio RM25XL
Cables/Interconnects: Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Anything & everything
Room Size (LxWxH): 25' x 11.5' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments: Needs some to clear up minor bass bloat
Time Period/Length of Audition: 2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Tripplite Isobar 8 Ultra
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	McIntosh MC252
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	McIntosh C45
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Thorens TD126 Mk. III, Ortofon Super OM40 cartridge
Speakers:	Joseph Audio RM25XL
Cables/Interconnects:	Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Anything & everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	25' x 11.5' x 8'
Room Comments/Treatments:	Needs some to clear up minor bass bloat
Time Period/Length of Audition:	2 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Tripplite Isobar 8 Ultra
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner