Mcintosh MCD-500 vs Esoteric X-05


On the market for another SACD/CD player in the $6K retail price range. Building a secondary system for my winter retreat.

What is the better sounding player in mainly CD playback?

SACD is secondary since I only have about 100 sacds verse 7000 CDs.

Also, what is the better player overall for value and construction and reliability ?

Thank you for your help in advance.
joefama

Showing 1 response by rjhalla

I own the Mac MCD-500, I purchased it after spending time with the X-05 and the Ayre, and I also auditioned the Audio Research CD7.

The MCD-500, in my opinion, has more flesh to it, it's more "real" sounding then the other players.

I should also include that I had 3 weeks with the Marantz SA7S1, and I preferred the Mac to that player as well.

CD/SACD players are like everything else, they are system dependent, some systems will benefit from certain qualities and others will not.

I can't imagine anyone not being happy with the MCD-500.

I will include however, if I were doing this again I would purchase the Luxman D-06 without hesitation.

Good Luck.