My System's Weakest Link - What Say You...


First off, McIntosh bashers need not respond.  The synergy of this system is outstanding.  

I think I have my system pretty well fleshed out now, and love what it is doing for me.  But, I have my eye on my weak link.  I have a few thoughts, but I'm Interested in objective, and somewhat random comments from some insightful folks here.

My Habits:  Love listening to vinyl most of all. Don't know exactly but have over 3000 LP, I think, and keep getting more.  Obviously do lots of streaming too via Tidal > Roon. Also on thousands of CDs of varying quality.

My Room: Open main floor Floor plan to the kitchen and formal dining room.  Open space has 9 foot ceilings, with fabric chairs and carpeting.  No need for any room enhancement identified.  Still sounds great.  Lucked out on that one.

Anyway, where is what I have:
  • (1) McIntosh MT5 Turntable
  • (2) Sumiko Palos Santos Cartridge
  • (3) McIntosh MP1100 Phono PreAmp
  • (4) McIntosh C1100 2-piece PreAmp
  • (5) McIntosh D1100 DAC
  • (6) McIntosh MCT 500 CD/SACD Transport
  • (7) McIntosh MVP 901 A/V Player
  • (8) McIntosh MC2152 70th Anniversary Amp
  • (9) McIntosh MPC1500 Power Controller
  • (10) Sonus Faber Lillium Speakers
  • (11) Roon Nucleus
  • (12) Sonore Signature Rendu SE w/ Optical Feed
  • (13) All Connected via Clarus Crimson interconnects, power cables and Balanced Cables
  • (14) Will avoid the details on isolation, AC outlets, etc. for now.
Choose a number, product or idea.  Have fun with this one.

"Long haired, freaky people, need not apply" or dismiss my enjoyment of McIntosh.  [btw - anyone remember that song quote?]

pgaulke60
Long haired freaky people need not apply?
I tucked my hair up under my hat and went in to ask him why.
He said, "You look like a fine understanding young man, I think you’ll do!" So I took off my hat, said, "Imagine that, me working for you!"

The links are strong, and equal. It is the lack of stuff holding them together that could use some work.
The only thing I would change out is the dac. The wyred for sound 10th anniversary dac is much better. It is one of the most analog sounding dacs that I've heard on the market and it beats up on much more expensive dacs like bricasti cord Cos 1 Sim audio. Check out the reviews.
As Chayro and demaggie have noted, the song quote is from “Signs”, first released by The Five Man Electrical Band in the late ‘60s and then redone in the’80s (Tesla, perhaps?).
Keep’em coming.