
I had my first MCD500 in the main system upstairs for less than 60 days before deciding to add another MCD500 to the studio system. The dual quad ESS 24bit Sabre Reference DACs are astonishingly clean, very organic in the analog conversion, ultra dynamic, and non-fatiguing to listen to for hours. It isn't a dramatic difference, but when directly comparing the headphone output on the MCD500 to the Gilmore Lite, my ears seem happier with the Gilmore Lite's sound.Īs for the overall performance of the McIntosh MCD500 CD/SACD player, it is nothing short of spectacular. The headphone amp in the MCD500 is very clean, and I have no complaints with respect to its performance, but I find the Gilmore Lite to be slightly more detailed in the upper midrange, as well as having a fuller texture to the weight of bass notes. Ridleyguy.I have owned my HeadAmp Gilmore Lite headphone amplifier longer than I have owned my two McIntosh MCD500's, and I enjoy the clarity of the little Class A solid state amp.
