Anyone here in the McIntosh forum, or elsewhere, own or have listened to the new McIntosh MCD12000 CD/SACD PLAYER?

[A-Line]

The local McIntosh dealer called me a few days to inform me that my McIntosh MCD500 CD/SACD player is now 14 years old and that he's got a new McIntosh reference player that I may want to check out.

So I'll be planning to go one day this upcoming week to check it out. The dealership takes in trades for upgrades too.

The new MCD12000 CD/SACD player is part of MAC's 75th Anniversary Reference Series.
At around €12000.00 this will be a end game disc spinner for me.
My current MCD500 was €6500.00 back in 2010. Not sure what trade up value will be because the technology for digital playback is, and has been, in a constant state of advancement for several decades now.

The good news, at least for me, is the new MCD12000 has tubes and operates as a hybrid and can operate in either tube mode or solid state.

Anyone that has any experience with the McIntosh MCD12000 please leave your thoughts and comments below.

 

[A-Line]

There are currently no reviews of any kind available on the web for the MCD12000 CD/SACD player.

I called McIntosh customer service today and spoke to Ron in New York. He said McIntosh is experiencing heavy sales regarding the new reference MCD12000 therefore no review is even necessary. Ron tells me that I should be very impressed with the new player especially since I prefer to use tubes for all things digital.

I have a appointment on Thursday August 1, 2024 to audition the new reference player at the McIntosh dealer in my area. I'll bring in my current MCD500 for a A/B comparison.

I'll post a review of sorts once I'm back from the dealership. Wait and see how things go as to whether or not I buy this new end game CD/SACD player...

 

[Argonaut]

Well … it is a pleasant surprise to see that at least one of the Heavy Hitters seems to recognise that there is still a consumer market for a SACD spinner .

 

[A-Line]

Well … it is a pleasant surprise to see that at least one of the Heavy Hitters seems to recognise that there is still a consumer market for a SACD spinner .

Indeed!
I have a little over 1000 CD's and out of that maybe 25 or so are SACD's.
I like playing my CD's.

While most people have gone to digital servers I for one prefer to hold the music in my hand rather than trust a digital storage device.

Tomorrow I'm auditioning their new reference player at the McIntosh dealership. Looking forward to it!

 

[A-Line]

Well I did the audition of the new reference McIntosh MCD12000 CD/SACD player today.
I brought my McIntosh MCD500 CD/SACD along for a A/B comparison.

The dealership used a ARC amp/preamp for electronics and Sonus Faber floor standing speakers for the demo. I didn't take any notes regarding the particular models only the brands.
The playing field was level so all things being equal the demo began.

I brought 2 CD's, 2 CD/SACD, and 1 SACD.
Rock, Progressive Rock, Pop, and Classical.
Starting with a good recording in CD and progressing to excellent recordings.

Sonic attributes over my MCD500 were: more depth in the sound stage, much better separation of instruments/tones on the sound stage, less compressed sound along with greater clarity among the musicians instruments & vocals in the recording. The sound is more lush and adds more weight to the music with the MCD12000 vs the MCD500.
The presence was also improved.

I did not note any night & day improvements with the MCD12000- think diminishing returns at this point. If I had to quantify a percentage of improvements over my current MCD500 I would suggest about 30%. The Linn Klimax DS is damn close to reference analog turntable playback for those interested in a reference music server.

The MCD500 is very analog sounding and is comparable to a good turntable. The MCD12000 is also very analog sounding utilizing the tube feature and is comparable to a very good turntable.
The MCD12000 performance is at a higher level than my current MCD500 & 1 step closer to reference analog turntable playback.

Those who are familiar with how Linn dealerships do their A/B comparisons will understand. Simply put, a component will either sound better or it won't. Additionally, how much improvement that presents at audition will determine as to whether or not a purchase is warranted. In the case of the new reference MCD12000 it is definitely a worthwhile purchase.
I noted improvements in all areas of the music/sound with this player.

I decided to purchase this fine player as my end game CD/SACD player. The dealership placed a order for my new player and it will take about 2 weeks to arrive. I have about 1000 CD's and about 8 CD/SACD's & 1 SACD only recording.
This player will keep me very happy in my future.

Those that still like to play CD's or SACD's and love analog sound should seriously consider this new player.

My review here is brief I know.
Sorry techies I'm not a EE so no technical aspects regarding the electronics are provided here, just a quick review of the sonic attributes that I noted instead.

If anyone has any questions regarding the MCD12000 feel free to post your questions/views here.
Not much info is available from actual owners of this new player on the Internet so I post some impressions here and will update more once the unit arrives and I've spent a few weeks listening to it.

I hope that my impressions so far are useful to those that may be interested in this new reference CD/SACD player. More to come...

Just my opinions.

 

[A-Line]

My new McIntosh MCD12000 CD/SACD player arrived yesterday.

 

[A-Line]

My new McIntosh MCD12000 CD/SACD player arrived yesterday.

Some more photos.
I'm running player using the tube outputs right now. Maybe later I'll switch over to the solid state output just to see how that sounds.

 

[A-Line]

So now I have about 25 hours of use on my new MCD12000. Right out of the box it sounded very good, very musical. Very good resolution, musicality, and a big sound stage

Now at 25 hours the sound has become even more refined. The resolution has become better. I'll report more on this at the 100 hours of use mark. I use unbalanced RCA interconnects. I prefer that to the XLR balanced connections. My preamp does not have XLR's but my 2102 tube amp and Stax tube headphone "energizer" does. My Magnum Dynalab MD90t tube FM tuner has RCA's also.

Since I first started using the MCD12000 I've always used the tube outputs. So today I thought that I would try the solid state outputs.
My feelings regarding digital sources is that tubes enhance the sound and smooth out most, if not all, harshness associated with digital playback. According to Ron C., McIntosh customer support, there should be no difference in sound regardless of which output(solid state or tubes) is used.

After switching from tube output to solid state the first this that I noticed is that the sound stage became smaller by about 30-35%, while everything else remained exactly the same. I never noted any harshness or distortion of any kind between the 2 outputs.

In summary, my initial assessment of digital playback from 2006 was correct. Tubes give a more natural presentation to digital playback vs solid state. Keep in mind that these are my opinions alone and what I precieve as good musical playback, whether analog or digital. Others will have their own opinions. There are enough brands out there so that most people will be able to find the sound that best suits their needs.

I've only owned 3 CD/SACD in my lifetime. Prior to that I was a records and tape guy.

My McIntosh players past through the present:

MCD201 CD/SACD Player: 2006-2010
MCD500 CD/SACD Player: 2010-2024
MCD12000 CD/SACD Player: Present

Anyone that owns, or thinking about purchasing, a MCD12000 feel free to post here in this thread or message me privately if you've any questions/concerns regarding this player.

The new MCD12000 is a exceptional CD/Player and is easily worth the asking price. This component is extremely detailed, extremely smooth with no digital harshness or distortion of any kind, & very musically engaging. The music simply flows in a most natural way.

Those that still play CD/SACD's should audition one before making a decision on a purchase.
Highly recommended to those seeking musical pleasure from your CD/SACD collection!!

More to come later..

 

[j3brow]

Hi A-line, congrats on your MCD12000 purchase. I’ve been wanting to hear one in my system since it was announced, unfortunately there are only a few local dealers and none have or plan to demo a mcd12000. I’ve held off to this point. I’ve had my fair share of McIntosh cd/sacd/dac too …. MCD301, MCD500, MCD1100, and for past 7 years MCT450 and D1100. I imagine it will be a little better than my current combo but not sure worth the cost at this point without a home audition.

 

[A-Line]

Hi A-line, congrats on your MCD12000 purchase. I’ve been wanting to hear one in my system since it was announced, unfortunately there are only a few local dealers and none have or plan to demo a mcd12000. I’ve held off to this point. I’ve had my fair share of McIntosh cd/sacd/dac too …. MCD301, MCD500, MCD1100, and for past 7 years MCT450 and D1100. I imagine it will be a little better than my current combo but not sure worth the cost at this point without a home audition.

Greetings j3brow. Nice setup you have there!

I noticed that you had a MCD500 before. My previous CD player was also a MCD500.
Did the A/B comparison demo at the dealership.

The biggest take away is that the sound stage is bigger using the tube outputs but more importantly the musicians are much more well defined on the sound stage. Also where things might have been close together before they are now well separated so small details are now clearly audible.

It's my opinion the MCD12000 is worth purchasing at the asking price. I like McIntosh digital audio players more than other brands. While the MAC brand may not be the absolute best in revealing details it's certainly very close. I consider the MCD12000 to be more musical than other brands that offer CD playback components. I've never auditioned any Accuphase components but most other brands I have.

CH Precision is very nice though and so is Audio Note, yet I still chose the MCD12000 over those other 2 top brands. CH Precision seems to work best while using other CH Precision components, same for Audio Note.
All 3 brands are excellent, choose which flavor or excellence that you prefer...

 

[A-Line]

Apparently my ReVox digital network receiver does not work well with the DAC's of my MCD12000 CD/SACD player. It cuts out like Morse Code...lol. My Cambridge Audio iPod dock works fine though. Processing for my iPod is: 44.1K & my streaming apps at: 96K.

I've since ordered a McIntosh MB25 Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver as a replacement. I had the ReVox since 2019. Oh well, sh*t happens...
I'm also using a new McIntosh Digital Coax Cable now. The other cable that I was using has a defect of some sort so that had to be replaced also.

I'll post a separate review for the new McIntosh digital cable and Bluetooth Transmitter/Receiver once that unit comes in and I've put a few hours on it.

 

[rau]

Been listening to the 12000 combo last few days and love it !

 

[A-Line]

Been listening to the 12000 combo last few days and love it !

Mine keeps sounding better every day. I should have 100 hours on mine within a week or two..

Nice integrated amp!

 

[rau]

Mine keeps sounding better every day. I should have 100 hours on mine within a week or two..

Nice integrated amp!

are you liking the SS or tube output better ?

 

[A-Line]

are you liking the SS or tube output better ?

Definitely the tube outputs. I tried the SS outputs but the sound stage got smaller by about 35%..

I'm extremely impressed with the sound quality of this CD player. It's a big step forward from my previous MCD500.

 

[rau]

Definitely the tube outputs. I tried the SS outputs but the sound stage got smaller by about 35%..

I'm extremely impressed with the sound quality of this CD player. It's a big step forward from my previous MCD500.

I agree it for sure is impressive , my issue now is cables . This is a 2nd system and my main system I use all shunyata omega and I don't want to invest that amount in this system but want decent cables

 

[Charles S]

I just joined this forum so I don't know much about it. However it seems that all the folks are well heeled audiophiles and I have enjoyed reading the comments concerning the MCD12000 which I certainly wholeheartedly agree with. I'm a long time McIntosh aficionado. I own an An MCD12000 cd player. I use the SS output to run an AQ Dragon IC to my An C12000 pre, then its tube output and Wel Signature IC to my MC3500, then Wel Signature speaker cables to my Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX using the 2-ohm tap. I use the SS output of my pre to my An MC2.1KW to power my Wilson Thor subwoofer. I am also a longtime Wilson aficionado and have owned a Maxx3 and Alexx before my XVX which was installed in January of 2020 and upgraded with acoustic diodes as soon as they became available. I have about 100 EL509S green output tubes in storage. I'll try to post some pics of my system soon.

 

[A-Line]

I just joined this forum so I don't know much about it. However it seems that all the folks are well heeled audiophiles and I have enjoyed reading the comments concerning the MCD12000 which I certainly wholeheartedly agree with. I'm a long time McIntosh aficionado. I own an An MCD12000 cd player. I use the SS output to run an AQ Dragon IC to my An C12000 pre, then its tube output to my MC3500, then to my Wilson Audio Specialties Chronosonic XVX using the 2-ohm tap. I use the SS output to my An 2.1KW to power my Wilson Thor subwoofer. I have about 100 EL509S green output tubes in storage. I'll try to post some pics of my system soon.

Greetings Charles and welcome to WBF.
Thanks for responding to my post.

I too am relatively new here but now I'm retired so..
I've owned McIntosh since 2006, before that I had a ReVox/Linn setup. I still have and use my ReVox receiver & tape deck.

Your system seems quite nice!
I'm glad that McIntosh has brought back the MC3500 in a newer version though I've not heard it in a setup.
I only auditioned the MCD12000 at the dealership but did notice quite a bit of the newer stuff on display.

I ought to have around 100 hours on my new MCD12000 in about a week or so and will give a opinion as to the sound then. Problem is that I keep playing my records & tapes though...

The new McIntosh player along with the new MB25 Bluetooth Transceiver is quite special.
My digital playback setup is all tubes and my analog setup is all solid state.

 

[Charles S]

A-Line thanks for the warm greeting. I try to post pics of my system and my Signature very soon. In looking at the members and their systems and the way the way the website is laid out and run, I don't know why I hadn't joined long ago. Better late than never I think. I have found the using the SS output of my MCD12000 then the tube output of my pre to my XVX and the SS output of my pre to my 2.1KW/Thor the perfect complement. Using the tube output of the MCD12000 did not work nearly as well.

 

[rau]

I also purchased a MCD12000 and was shocked how good it was , I also purchased a MA-12000 to pair with for a 2nd system. Today I'm setting up a c2800 and pair of 611 monos . I have many amplifiers but wanted to compare .