BattleScarze

Having owned McIntosh gear I can say it does sound/look great. I did enjoy a C2500 preamp for a while, except for the DAC. The DAC portion was apparently upgradeable but now they’re onto a C2700? Reminds me of Bryston gear is upgradeable but no one does it. As for space saving I’m not seeing that with this beast of an integrated. It’s huge. If McIntosh were to come out with say 100w rms solid state and tube preamp section in a smaller form-not the 252 or the 352 but the 12000 form factor without the DAC or phono and only a couple inputs...brings the price down to say $7-8 grand. THAT would be tempting.

Outstanding article, knowledge is power and I am looking forward to reading your book. Thanks for sharing your experience.

That was very fast response Chris, love the refresh BTW!

Can we change the style of these comments to appear first, instead of last...most people want to see the latest comments first...kinda like UHF Magazine where readers always went to the last past first.

Great article, I’ve been saying this for years, but many people just don’t get it or are offended because they’ve got to justify their purchases. We are at a point in history where we can technically make the most realistic recordings, yet we are stuck with some of the worst. This applies to live concerts too...sound engineering in the auditoriums are as hot as the recordings. This is the new normal folks.

I've done similar things and just make sure you have your emails with activation codes etc. Also, in Safari you can go to Preferences>Security and view your logins to those sites to make sure you have your login credentials and passwords handy.

IF something like this does become the reality...I will never own newer music...period. Once I pay for music, my expectation is to be able to do as I will providing I do not sell it for commercial use. Anything less would be a step in the wrong direction for the countless reasons already listed. Also, lately vinyl seems to be sounding much better than its digital counterparts due to excessive compression. The latest Beck is a prime example. Don't misunderstand I would much prefer a digital equivalent to the vinyl - uncompressed - NOT a MP3 vinyl rip! Now pay per month at the hands of corporations? Why not make it pay per listen. That WILL be the end.

Did you unscrew them? Just to see what happened? I have owned the PL300s for about 5 months now. I do like the sound but find vocals too forward. Curious what other owners are using to drive them?

Hello fellow enthusiasts, I see there are a couple of threads regarding the different CAPS set ups and which is the best unit to go with...please forgive me but some of the computer jargon gets way up there:) I do not need room correction, or at least have no desire to use it BUT I would like transparent detailed sound delivered to my built in DAC on my McIntosh C2500..it has USB, OPT, & COAX...USB would seem the best way to go as its asynchronous. Currently I am using a MAC mini with JRiver for MAC, it seems to freeze regularly...the windows version is much more stable IMO. I was using my Bryston BDP1 & BDAC1 but would like to use JRiver software as I love the interface AND the sound... So finally my question, which CAPS is the best to go with? I plan on building the unit myself, or if a used one comes up I might just hit the "easy" button. Ideally I wanted to just use my BDP1 but it does not have a USB out...I would be up to building a ZUMA but not sure if I really need something THAT powerful. Thoughts?

Thanks for the in-depth review Chris...and for all the input from your readers. I came across the HDtracks version via a friend and it's truly terrible sounding. Even the cat got up and left...utter dreck it is. Does anyone know where or whom to complain to? Of course in a professional manner. Something has to change. I'd be pissed if I paid for this poor quality. I gladly pay for well recorded and mastered music...but feel ripped off paying for ear bud or subway listening style recordings. Anyone know who to write to?

Great review, for 6g's the expectation would be nothing less. Curious on the price though...$6000 is the same price as their DAC you just reviewed...looking at the components from the pictures 6 figures doesn't equate... It is Luxman after all, so you would expect to pay more...beautiful piece.

+1 Boris75 I completely agree, it really depends on the mixing/mastering. With 24 bit depth there is the capability to make music that has lifelike impact and dynamic punch but its rarely used. When it is used... then it becomes something special.

I would like to be able to play files from the Synology to an iPadMini or MBA laptop via browser while traveling... Has anyone had experience with this on a MAC using the proprietary Synology software? Any helpful feedback would be great!

Hi, Thanks for the review and letting us know about the releases...gotta love old Van Halen. I currently own the original red book CD's and the HDCD's...there is more "Air" in the HDCD's BUT there is slight sibilance which is non-existent on the CD's...has anyone noticed if there is any hint of sibilance on the hi-res downloads?? I will most likely download but would really appreciate some honesty on the sibilance...again its slight but noticeable.

Hi Chris, Thanks for the review...I have been curious as to the sound quality from the Xeo 3. I have to ask though, do you think $3,000 spent on separates could get better or equal sound quality? -minus the convenience of course. Admittedly I can think of a couple of places where the Xeo 3's would be a perfect fit in the home. Regards, -J