Greetings Ron,

Would there be any special adjustment/software adjustment needed to the MDA1000 in order for it to play direct into the MC501's? Or is it simply a case of just "plug & play"?

Also, could the DVD player MVP841 be connected to the MDA1000, like as a "digital preamp"?

I have saved enough to go for this upgrade to the dream combo of MCD1000+MDA1000+MC501's. Just need to be sure I could do both the above as I am giving up the C2200+MC402 for the above.

Speakers would still be the same Wilson 7's.

Looking forward to your early reply,

Thanks and best regards,

Jerry :music:

Jerry,

In the MDA1000 set up menu you can select fixed or variable output. If you select variable the front panel volume control will work just like a preamp. A setting of 80 is unity gain or equal to the fixed level.
The MDA1000 can be used with the MVP841 and will play any PCM disk you put in it through the 841 digital output.

Thank you,
Ron-C

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the feedback. Just to be sure I underdstand. That mean its not just "plug and play" straight from the box. I would need to do a set up to "variable output" and the instructions on "how to" are in the accompanying MDA1000 Owner Manual.

Sorry for being naggy, but as I am a novice, dont want to, in the course of doing the set up, somehow damage the MDA. That would be a costly "no-no" for me.

Looking forward to your usual prompt reply,

Best Regards,

Jerry

Hi Jerry,
Have you downloaded the manual(s) from the McIntosh website here (http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/manuals.aspx)?
Just making sure you were aware of them. :)


Carl

No CarlIV.

You mean from here I could get it and read the instructions? If so, I go try now. Thanks for the info. Sure help to educate me before making the plunge!

Best Regards,

Jerry

Jerry, click on the word "here" in Carl's response. It's a hyperlink to the web site page at McIntosh where you can download the manual from

Yes, just click on "here (http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/manuals.aspx)". It will take you to the McIntosh site where all the current model owner's manuals are available for downloading.


Carl

Jerry,

You just turn the volume control on to 'variable' and forget about it. It will work just like a preamp from. Make sure you set the MDA1000 to variable before you turn on the amps or they might be rather loud.

Thanks,
Ron-C

A setting of 80 is unity gain or equal to the fixed level.
I'm just curious - do you know at what volume the MCD201's variable outputs are equal to it's fixed outputs?

Thanks.

I checked with Ted, the design engineer and he said 80 or 81 variable is 2 volts out which is the same as the fixed setting. The volume can be turned up to 100 where both the MDA1000 and MCD201 will be over 6 volts out, so they can drive all McIntosh power amps.

thanks again,
Ron-C

Would there be any special adjustment/software adjustment needed to the MDA1000 in order for it to play direct into the MC501's? Or is it simply a case of just "plug & play"?

I have saved enough to go for this upgrade to the dream combo of MCD1000+MDA1000+MC501's. Just need to be sure I could do both the above as I am giving up the C2200+MC402 for the above.

Speakers would still be the same Wilson 7's.

Jerry:

This won't work. Here's what you need to do:

Send me the Wilson 7's. I'll send you my speakers, and voila! They'll work fine! :D

Hi Henry.Bowman,

You like the WP7's I suppose. They are great speakers, an upgrade from the WP6 I never regretted. OH, no problem, will ship them to you if your speakers are the McIntosh XRT30's for exchange.

Nah, just joking. Am actually pondering (when funds permit) to ugrade the 7's to either the Wilson Maxx 2 or the XRT30 (this is a cheaper alternative and plus making the set up a complete true blue McIntosh system).

However, at this price point, more often than not, performance and appreciation becomes subjective. For sure, the MC501 would drive the Maxx 2 amply BUT not sure if they would bring out the full potential of the XRT30's or would there be a need to change to the MC1201's.

Maybe Ron can give an advise on this. For now, I am very happy (and contended) with this new combo. I am giving up my MR85 and the older MCD751+MDA700 combo as well as basically I play red book CD's all the time and only periodically DVD's (Jazz Concerts & some Pop/Rock MTV's) via the 3 year old MVP841 (in stereo thru the MDA1000).

Have a nice day.

Best Regards,

You will regret selling the C2200! I would definately keep that as your pre-amp between the MDA1000 and the amps. At least try it before selling the C2200. Just for the analog inputs alone it would be worth keeping. Actually you could use the balanced outs from the C2200 to the 501's and the RCA outs from the MDA1000 to the 501's and compare directly. I bet you'll miss those tubes though!

JR

Hi jrsystems,

Thanks for the advise. I do know the C2200 is a very "sweet" pre. However, it had always been my wish to have a digital pre system as I have no use for analogue - too much trouble in maintenance. Moreover, all the software I have collected are red book CD's and music DVDs.

Moreover, I need to trade this off, without which, I would have trouble coughing out the cash for the upgrade as my wife would definitely question the last statement I made " this IS the last upgrade dear", ....

In fact, prior to this decision, I was only thinking of trading in the MC402 for either the MC602 or the MC501's. In the end, I realised that the other equipments are just "white elephants" as I seldom uses them (the MR85) and with the MDA1000, I would also not need the C2200.

You may disagree with my thinking, but certainly, this helps me save space and ease of upgrade (without having too indulge in negotiations with my wife).

I am really looking forward to receiving this complete CD/digital system.

Once again, thanks for the advise.

Have a nice day,

Jerry

As long as you're all digital, it will be a killer system. Let us know how it works out.

JR