Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD Player

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Nonato

Friends,

at times I have heard the MPS-5, we were using XRCD and SACD, we have not tested audio files via computer with DSD. Anyone heard or tested the MPS-5 with native DSD files?


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

One of the individuals at my dealer has ben playing around with MPS-5 and the MPD-5 playing DSD files. I know he has converted some SACD to DSD and I believe he also downloaded a couple DSD.

I thought the converted SACD to DSD sounded very good, but it it time consuming and takes up a lot of space.

Jim

[dmnc02]

I have been streaming DSD to an emm DAC2X, which, like the MPS-5, is one of the very few DAC's that handle DSD natively, and the results are really amazing. A ripped two-channel SACD takes up about 1.6GB, which is less than the same album in uncompressed 24/192 PCM.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Friends,

Today I was talking with the dealer to darTZeel in Brazil, and he informed me that the MPS-5 was upgraded source and software available from EA itself. And with these upgrade the MPS-5 has improved even more.


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

[doggiehowser]

I have an EMM Labs XDS1 and because of computer audio and the fact that I was originally planning on working outstation, I ended up ordering an MPS5 for the second system.

I eventually decided it wasn't worth being away from home so took a 12 hour drive yesterday. The good news is that I finally got to hear the MPS5 in my main system and put it against the XDS1.

The MPS5 was loaned to a friend while I was looking for a place to rent so he only clocked 50 something hours on it. I think it still needs further running in.

But here were some of my initial impressions:

The XDS1 and MPS5 were more alike than different. But presented slightly differently.

The XDS1 sounded like my Sumiko Blackbird cart on default settings. The MPS5 sounded like the BB with a heavier VTA.

The XDS1 was more neutral and transparent and the details came out better/more noticeable. The soundstage was also wider.

The MPS5 had a more noticeable midbass emphasis. So male vocals had a bit more gravitas and drums had a very great live thump to them. It did lose a smidgeon of detail to the XDS1 though. Soundstage was a tad more closed in but I felt there was a bit more depth to them.

Both are excellent machines.

If I wasn't out of a job now, I'd look at trading up the XDS1 to the TSDX and DAC2X

[joeinid]

Doggie,

Thanks for the descriptions. I am thinking about adding the TSDX transport to my DAC2X. I really love the DAC2X, it sounds great.

[dmnc02]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

If I wasn't out of a job now, I'd look at trading up the XDS1 to the TSDX and DAC2X

Having traded my XDS1 for the TSDX+DAC2X a few weeks ago, I must say that I was surprised by the improvement in sound quality, given that emm does not claim any new technology for the separates over the XDS1. Transparency and instrument definitions are better, the soundstage is more open and the treble is more extended. I traded in order to be able to stream DSD without having to wait till the end of the year for the USB upgrade to the XDS1, but it was well worth doing so on sonic considerations alone.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Nonato

Hi friends,

I heard the MPS-5 sometimes with CTH-8550, and I liked the result. It seemed that the MPS-5 complemented the sound of darTZeel, and was using Zeel connection.

I'm thinking a lot about MPS-5 with the 8550, I think it would be an excellent combination. Although I am also thinking of Puccini + U-Clock.

What do you think?


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

Ricardo,
I've heard this combination a number of times in rooms by Jonathan Tinn of Blue Light Audio at audio shows, and as I said previously, it's one of the five or six best sounding sytems I've ever heard. A big thumbs up in my book.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Puma

I'm finalizing the purchase of darTZeel CTH-8550, and then will test the MPS-5 on my system, and is almost certain to buy the MPS-5 as well.


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Ricardo Nonato

Puma

I'm finalizing the purchase of darTZeel CTH-8550, and then will test the MPS-5 on my system, and is almost certain to buy the MPS-5 as well.


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

Ricardo,

The benefit of the MPS-5 is the 50 ohm zeel BNC connection which should help it sound better.

Enjoy!

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

this is one of the factors for me to choose the MPS-5. Not to mention the use of CAD, and USB module with native DSD.


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.