Thread: MPD-8 Playback Designs - Any owners?

Hello

So after a lot of reading and talking to folks, I think I´ve narrowed it down to the following

==
MPD-8 Playback Designs
Holo Audio May KTE
MSB
==

But it´s 85% of a chance that I am going for the Playback Design. I´m looking for a DAC that can give the music emotions and dont sound digital / harsh or thin.

Holo Audio were praised a couple of years ago for sounding "analog" etc. but I also heard that it was kinda dependent to be used with a computer and HQ-player to sound the best.
MPD should be in a totally other leauge looking at the pricepoint alone.

MSB is also interesting, but it seems that it´s more analytic than Playback Design.

For those of you that switched to MPD-8; what did you have before and what are your thought about it. Is is a DAC that will settle you for a long time?

I dont understand that it´s softwarebased somewhat FPGA and a lot of it´s greatness is becuase of Andreas Koch. And that all files gets converterad and upsampled to DSD.

Anything that´s negative with the DAC?

Thanks

thanks for the input Mike! It´s so weird that I hear both things though.

yes indeed!

I have had the Playback Designs MPT8/MPD8 for five years. I listened to MSB and dCS and many others before buying the PD. I don't think MSB is "analytical" but preferred the Playback Designs sound. In my experience, PD is not at all bright or forward. In my Boulder 3060/YG XVi stereo system the PD sounds more analog to me.

If youre buying from a Dealer then you really need to bring a demo home from them, otherwise you simply need to buy privately and see if it suites you. The Distributor/Manufacturer should be able to arrange if the Dealer doesnt have one. If theyre unwilling to do that then run from that brand.

Too many people want everything, including advise and experience, but they only want to pay 50% of retail value... or less, privately.

Originally Posted by Dizzie

dznutz and crwilli,

Please stop treating me like you think I am an idiot who cannot figure out how important a home demo is. Your comments are demeaning. I am working on getting a demo unit. Opinions from others who have compared expensive equipment helps me narrow down which pieces I will focus on.

Like many, I have no good local dealers. I have to narrow my list of options before trying to acquire equipment to audition. Experience from others also helps me make a "Plan B" if I cannot demo something I want to try or I am not happy with the demo results.

I am not an idiot. My mother had me tested.

Wow, you certainly are a delicate flower arent you? Its best you stay in doors and keep off the internet.

Nothing any one said was directed specifically at you nor was any of it demeaning in any way.

Originally Posted by Dizzie

dznutz and crwilli,

Please stop treating me like you think I am an idiot who cannot figure out how important a home demo is. Your comments are demeaning. I am working on getting a demo unit. Opinions from others who have compared expensive equipment helps me narrow down which pieces I will focus on.

Like many, I have no good local dealers. I have to narrow my list of options before trying to acquire equipment to audition. Experience from others also helps me make a "Plan B" if I cannot demo something I want to try or I am not happy with the demo results.

I am not an idiot. My mother had me tested.

I think there is only one Playback Designs dealer in California: Audiophile Zone, Gary Katayama. I know he has an MPD6 for demo but don't know if he has the MPD8. Since you are in Sacramento, maybe you can arrange a demo at the factory.