AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Audio & Video > CD Players, Digital Music & Servers

CD Players, Digital Music & Servers Aurender, dCs, Esoteric, Lumin.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 04-05-2012, 02:19 PM
Puma Cat's Avatar
Puma Cat Puma Cat is offline
Cool, calm scientist

 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: East Bay, CA
Posts: 10,915
Default

I've heard the Playback Designs MPS-5 numerous times at shows paired with Dart CTH-8550 and Evolution Acoustics speakers, and I think it's one of the finest CD players/DACs I've ever heard. Hearing Rob of Channel D serve up 24/384KHz files with Pure Music to it was pretty special.
__________________
Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 04-05-2012, 02:20 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,386
Default

Philip,

The PD MPS-5 is definitely on my short list. It seems very advanced and is getting rave reviews. I'm thinking about one of these instead of the Burmester 111. Thanks!

Last edited by joeinid; 04-05-2012 at 04:51 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 04-05-2012, 04:35 PM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by psjl View Post
Bart......The PD MPS-5 has been on my list for quite sometime now, but so far I have only managed to hear it with Mark Levinson gear at the dealer's place, so I'm trying to set up an A/B comparison with gear that I am familiar with before making the final decision.......Have you had a chance to demo the PD MPS-5 yet?......Also, just curious to know what other digital sources may be on your shortlist?......Philip
Philip, they don't do Playback Designs here in Belgium, so I'll have to go to the Netherlands to audition it.
But it surely caught my interest.
Also on my shortlist: MSB Technology.
MSB Technology
They got a raving review in "Stereo", a reliable German magazine. I took contact with the European importer. He's Belgian and offered me a home demo. Advantage: you can do even multichannel via their UMT.
And next week, I hope to attend an audio show with Accuphase's new top of the line separates: DP900 Super Audio cd transport and DC901 Converter.
My Burmester 061 is magnificent, and I thought about upgrading to the 089, but I do have quite some SACD's, so I don't think I'll go via this route.
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 04-05-2012, 11:24 PM
psjl's Avatar
psjl psjl is offline
Audio Snoopster
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: 22° 16′ 43″ N / 114° 9′ 26″ E
Posts: 394
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Still-One View Post
These have been hot items at my dealer. He has one breaking in now and I hope to bring it homev soon if he does not sell it.
Jim
Jim,

I sure hope you do get the chance to demo the PD MPS-5 in your system, as I'ed be very curious to see how it gels with your system, given that we both use D.D. Momentums and Transparent audio/power cabling in our systems.

I would love to hear your impressions.

Philip
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 04-05-2012, 11:50 PM
kfr01's Avatar
kfr01 kfr01 is offline
Music Provides Joy
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,359
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by psjl View Post
Hi All,

I was wondering if there are any AA members who own or have demo'ed the Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player.

I currently have the Ayre QB-9 USB DAC, and was originally going to upgrade to the Ayre DX-5 Universal A/V Engine. However, after giving much thought to this, I decided that I'ed prefer to separate my audio & video gear, and go with an OPPO BDP-95, and then consider to replace my Ayre QB-9 with a more "heavy-weight" DAC and/or CD/SACD player.

My shortlist so is as follows:
  • Playback Designs MPS-5 SACD/CD player (USD 17,000)
  • Ayre R-series DAC - to be launched sometime end-2012 (USD ????)
  • dCS Debussy DAC (USD 11,700)
  • dCS Scarlatti SACD/CD playback system (USD 80,000)

I've heard the above gear in various setups, but not had a chance to play any of these in my current system which comprises the Wilson Sasha W/P speakers, Ayre KX-R preamp, Dan D'Agostino Momentum monoblock amps (coming soon), PurePower 3000 AC regenerator, and Transparent Ref. XL (MM2) cabling.

That being said, given the features (DAC/Esoteric transport/multiple digital inputs), pedigree (Andreas Koch), and pricing (USD 17,000) of the MPS-5, Playback Designs currently is at the top of my shortlist for now. As soon as I take delivery & break in my Momentums I will be trying to get the dealer here to arrange a home demo for me.

Would really appreciate your views/opinions.

Many thanks!

Philip
Philip: My vote would be for the Debussy. Check out the Stereophile review. Those measurements are as good as I've ever seen from Stereophile DAC measurements...
__________________
Karl

Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld.
Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld

Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon
Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 04-06-2012, 01:01 AM
Jerome W's Avatar
Jerome W Jerome W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,240
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bart

Philip, they don't do Playback Designs here in Belgium, so I'll have to go to the Netherlands to audition it.
But it surely caught my interest.
Also on my shortlist: MSB Technology.
MSB Technology
They got a raving review in "Stereo", a reliable German magazine. I took contact with the European importer. He's Belgian and offered me a home demo. Advantage: you can do even multichannel via their UMT.
And next week, I hope to attend an audio show with Accuphase's new top of the line separates: DP900 Super Audio cd transport and DC901 Converter.
My Burmester 061 is magnificent, and I thought about upgrading to the 089, but I do have quite some SACD's, so I don't think I'll go via this route.
Bart, you can hear Playback Designs in Paris too and you're kindly invited mon ami !
I would love to make a shoot out at home between the MDA1000 and the Playback dac. I will contact the importer to see if we can make it.
( I'm leaving to the country of your speakers in 10 days. Can you PM me any recommendations of places to see / restaurants in Cape Town ? Thanks ! )

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats
Albert Schweitzer
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 04-06-2012, 04:50 PM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C220MC275 View Post
Bart, you can hear Playback Designs in Paris too and you're kindly invited mon ami !
I would love to make a shoot out at home between the MDA1000 and the Playback dac. I will contact the importer to see if we can make it.
( I'm leaving to the country of your speakers in 10 days. Can you PM me any recommendations of places to see / restaurants in Cape Town ? Thanks ! )

Sent from my iPad using A.Aficionado
Jérôme, fantastic idea!
Thank you very much.
That makes 2 hi-fi visits to Paris this year already: the Paris Hi-fi Show and the Playback Designs Show
About South-Africa: unfortunately I have never been there. Although I would like to visit the Vivid Audio factory!
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 04-06-2012, 06:48 PM
Jerome W's Avatar
Jerome W Jerome W is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 13,240
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bart

Jérôme, fantastic idea!
Thank you very much.
That makes 2 hi-fi visits to Paris this year already: the Paris Hi-fi Show and the Playback Designs Show
About South-Africa: unfortunately I have never been there. Although I would like to visit the Vivid Audio factory!
Bart,
For some reason I imagined that you went in South Africa and listened to Vivid there...

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
__________________
There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats
Albert Schweitzer
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 04-07-2012, 11:47 AM
bart's Avatar
bart bart is offline
Life is beautiful
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Belgium
Posts: 19,867
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by C220MC275

Bart,
For some reason I imagined that you went in South Africa and listened to Vivid there...

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado
I heard them in England ;-)
With Mr Dickie himself...
__________________
Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 04-07-2012, 11:54 AM
Still-One Still-One is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Milford, MI
Posts: 32,466
Default

Phillip

I will keep you posted. I may head to the dealer early next week if I can get my wife to ever make a decision on granite and tile for our master bath remodel.

Jim
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:27 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video