STATUS - AVAILABLE
Click here for more pictures

Description :
The Myryad MCD-500 is very much a senior design, priced at a premium than its similar looking Myryad MC-100. Only a price-tag reveals the difference between Myryad's second cd player and its first. Myryad components always look special. While the cd player may not be aesthetically equal to the integrated amplifier, it is a neat, tidy design, and has a touch of flair. The circuitry design innards have received considerable attention from the designer's pen. Where the MC-100 uses a one-bit, eight-times oversampling DAC, the MCD-500 is said to employ crystal semiconductor's CS4329 '20-bit 'DAC. There are two mains transformers, massive reservoir capacity and allegedly, no less than 13 individually regulated power supplies. Myryad mentioned comparable levels of effort have gone into the design of the master clock to minimise jitter, while the analogue circuits are claimed to be DC coupled and manually trimmed to Eliminate DC offset on the production line.

On the whole, the Myryad MCD-500 reproduces music in an interesting manner. This player has considerable weight and substance, and gives the impression of capably delivering the leading edges of sounds. It is important for the ear to generate a convincing musical illusion in the brain. Musical elements are well ordered in a palpable soundstage. In this respect the MCD-500 made a good start, only let down by substandard stereo imagery. On certain recordings, the imaging portrayed sounds "reasonably big, but flat and mono-ish...the musicians are painted on the wallpaper." The Myryad appeared as a flat plane in front of the speakers. Other criticisms concerned a "buzzy" treble and a "comb-and-paper" effect.

In an observation, the Myryad's character is that of a distinguished elder statesman rather than a young-buck hotshot. The Myryad MCD-500 has a laid-back nature that allows long listening periods without fatique. Choose partnering components with care to avoid over-emphasising the MCD-500's relaxed approach. The cd player overall sounds good with large scale classical or opera but lacks a bit of clout with rock or dance music. Though well turned out, this player is up against stiff competition from some distinguished models at this elevated price level. It remains very nearly an excellent cd player, but needs some tweaking before realising the promise lurking below the surface.

Specifications :
Digital-to-Analog Converter................24 bit Delta-Sigma
Audio Filter Op-amps........................2 x single high speed low noise DiFet types
Audio Output....................................DC-coupled, individually trimmed
Frequency Response........................20Hz to 20kHz, +/- 0.3dB
Total Harmonic Distortion..................0.002 %, 1kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio........................104dB (A-weighted)
Output Level.....................................2.3V RMS at 0dB
Output Digital...................................1 x coaxial 75 ohms, SPDIF
Front Panel......................................Silver-grey 6 mm brushed aluminium
Dimensions(w x d x h).......................43.5 x 29.5 x 9.5 cm
Weight.............................................6kg

Miscellaneous :
Matching.........................................Myryad MP-120 Preamplifier
             .........................................Myryad MA-120 Power Amplifier
Remote...........................................Substitute Remote
Made In...........................................UK, England
Condition.........................................8/10

Product Information :
http://www.myryad.co.uk/ (Manufacturer's Website)
http://www.hnny.nl/archief_myryad/historie.pdf (History)

Reviews :
http://gavel.ic.cz/modules/news/article.php?storyid=39&page=1 (Czech and English)