I want to buy a current TOTL audio-only universal player. The rest of my gear is McIntosh, but they don't make one. The Mc MDA-1000 and MCD-1000 will only do redbook CD, and I therefore can't help but think they'll be replaced at some point with more flexible units. They're no doubt wonderful, but I can't justify that much $ for so narrow a purpose.

So far, the Ayre C-5xe seems to be the best unit, but I'm not familiar with everything out there. It's called a U2 player, because while it will read just about anything, it only outputs 2 channels, which is exactly what I'm looking for. It has first-class DACs, and is made in USA, which I like a lot.

Does anyone know something else I should be looking at, or have other comments or suggestions? All views welcome!

Sony XA777ES?

I think theyre pretty nice. Never had one though... Way to expensive! Or the SCD-1

Mmm yeah :yes:

At that price point for a unit that plays DVD too, I think the Ayre might be the best one out there, better than the Esoteric DV-50. If you don't need DVD then look at the Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista SACD/CD (used), the newer kW SACD/CD, the Cary 306 SACD/CD or the Sony SCD-1 SACD/CD (used). The redbook playback on the XA777ES SACD/CD (used) isn't very good.

The redbook playback on the XA777ES SACD/CD (used) isn't very good.
Exactly. I had one was very disapointed given its price point. The only discs that really made me take notice on it were ones that were true DSD.

At that price point for a unit that plays DVD too, I think the Ayre might be the best one out there, better than the Esoteric DV-50. If you don't need DVD then look at the Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista SACD/CD (used), the newer kW SACD/CD, the Cary 306 SACD/CD or the Sony SCD-1 SACD/CD (used). The redbook playback on the XA777ES SACD/CD (used) isn't very good.


Thanks for the recommendations! I don't do tubes, so the Tri-Vista is out, but I'll look into the others and skip the 777.

Right now, I've been trying to find an Ayre dealer who will sell and ship to me, as there isn't one within 200 miles. Ayre itself is being hugely helpful, and is even willing to consider making my local Mc dealer into an Ayre dealer. Amazing customer service.

Some good luck: Ayre just posted another professional review that likes the C-5xe as much as the first review, and beyond that, the techie in me just has to hear what 32x oversampling of 24 bits sounds like.

So, I finally found an Ayre dealer who will ship and not charge sales tax, and so, with deep regret at infiltrating a non-Mc piece into my all-Mc system, I went for it!

...only to find they're back-ordered for at least three weeks. :worried:

McIntosh has just come out with the model MCD201 - a CD/SACD player
Model MCD201 with the following features:

SACD/CD Player
Plays CDs, CD-R, CD-RW, SACD and MP3.
Transport rotates CDs at 4 times normal read speed and SACD discs 2 times normal read speed to extract all the information from the disc.
Separate Fixed and Variable Outputs.
Balanced and Unbalanced Outputs.

I've not heard it but I spoke with a dealer who has tried one and he was impressed.

I guess I have to ask what's wrong with the 861? Yes, it does multichannel and video, but you don't have to use those options.