I have an old McIntosh (20y+) system and feed that with a Network Bridge for streaming. The DS200 looks like a tempting addition or replacement for my MCD500.
Any experience here?
You will make your own informed decision.
The combination of the Eversolo T8 and Eversolo Z10, streamer and DAC respectively offer a great deal more for the money. We use the Eversolo T8 with a Denafrips Terminator Plus DAC.
The (our) McIntosh equipment (MA9000 and MCT500) uses a small and inelegant DAC chip (the DA-1 or the recently problematic DA-2, the latter being $1500 [quite cost ineffective]).
We have owned McIntosh equipment since the late 60s.
Thanks for the comment ….
I have an MA7000 and MCD500 (also acts as DAC with incoming signal from a DCS Network Bridge).
With the DS200 I was hoping to replace the MCD and the DCS,possibly even bypass the MA7000 pre-amp and going straight to it’s power amp. That gives me less boxes and more control in ROON.
That certainly will work, and I can see what you are trying to accomplish. If you look at my bio, or whatever it is called, I have a lot of boxes
Understand!
In an ideal world I would replace all 3 boxes with a Roon ready stream/amp …
But to get something that is even close to what I have now I have to spend 20k …
The Eversolo Play CD Edition for $799 is a great integrated system. We use ours with satellite speakers and a subwoofer. Total cost is less than $2k and it is both Roon Ready and plays many many streaming services.
Nobody has experience with the DS200???
I do. I got it to replace a Bryston streamer shortly after the DS200 was introduced. The Bryston worked fine but I was intrigued by the DS200 connectivity and streaming options and that no app is required to use it. Everything I have connected/streamed to it works seamlessly. A recent firmware update got me Spotify lossless. No issues or drivers needed to play DSD files. The DAC is good but frankly running the Bryston streamer through my Esoteric K-03X sounded a touch better in my subjective opinion. There’s no digital out with the DS200 so you are stuck with the DAC chip that McIntosh put in the box; probably an ESS Sabre pro and isn’t on a replaceable card. I’m good with my decision because the DS200 has great ergonomics & it just plain works. Can you do the same things for less money? No doubt so you’ll have to decide if it’s worth it to you. They were selling well when first introduced and on backorder so you may have to wait to get one.
Hi Jeff, many thanks for sharing your experience!
2 very good arguments that fit my needs: ergonomics and it just plain works!
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I think the DAC in the DS200 will sound better than the DAC in the MCD500. I had one of those too many years ago. If you still spin CDs, the digital out of the MCD500 can be connected to the DS200 but that won’t work if you spin SACDs. You need a special connection for digital SACD which isn’t on your MCD500. I still spin both CDs and SACDs from time to time so I still have a player in my system.
Not sure if bypassing the pre in the MA7000 will sound better or not. Easy thing to try though if you do this.
If you decide to pull the trigger on this, post here with your thoughts on the DS200.
Thanks Jeff, will do!