Playback Designs

If you want SACD playback, the MPS5 is the only one that does it. The MPS3 is CD only.

I think you are getting the last bit of performance on the MPS5 for double the price.

I don't think the Playback was ever designed to run direct to power amps.

I wonder if it is the effect of the tube you liked.

I have an Ayon CD5S and the tube output is very very good but I find the MPS5 is just much more resolving. So I ended up using the MPS5 with a tube preamp.

MPS5 lean!??

I have both the XDS1 and the MPS5. The MPS5 is definitely not lean, especially compared to the XDS1.

The XDS1 did sound leaner at first but I've found that it does take a while to run in and it's very balanced now though without the mid bass emphasis of the MPS5 which I liked (I found the MPS5 similar to my Project RPM10.1 evolution/Sumiko Blackbird/Bel Canto Phono3).

But I do use a tube preamp which adds a lot to both the XDS1 and the MPS5, which I suspect is what you may be hearing with the tube mods on the Modwright.

As a DAC, I think the DSD DAC on the Playback and EMM Labs are better than even the PCM1704s on the Ayons. But the Ayon CD5S as a combined unit with a tube preamp is quite special.

So when I compared the EMM XDS1/MPS5 with an Audio Research Reference 5SE, I find the tube magic is equalized and these 2 DACs are more resolving and more analog than the Ayon.

I havent compared the other players in my own system but I remember comparing the Wadia and the Puccini in the showroom against the XDS1 and I preferred the XDS1. The Puccini was sans U Clock though so that could be another factor. The XDS1 felt more resolving with complex multi instrument pieces.

I find the difference between the Playback/EMM DSD DACs vs the PCM1704 to be in the capability to resolve complex arrangements. I find that with many instruments/voices/percussions etc, the DSD DACs tend to show the delineation well.

There's a new firmware out for the 5 series. Anyone know what's changed?

Hi Dctom

I didn't have a chance to do an A:B immediately before and after the upgrade but I thought there was an improvement in separation/layers and depth on the same CD I was playing a day before the upgrade.

I emailed Jon and am copying the reply here:
This is a sonic improvement in clarity, lower noise floor and a greater sense of space.