Playback Design MPS5 upgrade to CH precision, any thoughts.

N

nickif

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Joined
Jan 9, 2014
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Hi all,

I'm a Newcomer and love the experience and kindness ppl have here.

Thinking about upgrading my source from PD MPS5 to CH precision, the caveat is I can only afford the C1 for now probably will add a D1 later, but some (including the recent review from TAS) claims C1 sounds better through Ethernet than through D1, if that is true the C1 looks like quite a bargain although my personal experience is disc always sounds better than files. appreciate if anyone with experience on the c1 could share your thoughts.

Thanks,
Mike.
 
nickif said:
Hi all,

I'm a Newcomer and love the experience and kindness ppl have here.

Thinking about upgrading my source from PD MPS5 to CH precision, the caveat is I can only afford the C1 for now probably will add a D1 later, but some (including the recent review from TAS) claims C1 sounds better through Ethernet than through D1, if that is true the C1 looks like quite a bargain although my personal experience is disc always sounds better than files. appreciate if anyone with experience on the c1 could share your thoughts.

Thanks,
Mike.
Click to expand...

Welcome to AS, Mike!:hi:
 
nickif said:
Hi all,

I'm a Newcomer and love the experience and kindness ppl have here.

Thinking about upgrading my source from PD MPS5 to CH precision, the caveat is I can only afford the C1 for now probably will add a D1 later, but some (including the recent review from TAS) claims C1 sounds better through Ethernet than through D1, if that is true the C1 looks like quite a bargain although my personal experience is disc always sounds better than files. appreciate if anyone with experience on the c1 could share your thoughts.

Thanks,
Mike.
Click to expand...


Welcome to AS Mike.

It might be useful to understand

1. In what areas you are finding the Playback Designs unsatisfactory?
2. What the rest of your system looks like?
 
Welcome to AS Mike! Indeed, this is a very friendly place.

+1 with Kiwi...
 
Welcome Mike. I would recommend a Lumin. The move from the playback design to the ch precision just looks like a continuation of the DAC merry go round to me. I'm glad to be off it. Loving my Lumin. Google the reviews on it.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
nickif said:
Hi all,

Thanks,
Mike.
Click to expand...


Welcome to AS Mike.

It might be useful to understand

1. In what areas you are finding the Playback Designs unsatisfactory?
2. What the rest of your system looks like?
Click to expand...

Thanks Kiwi,

Actually I'm quite happy with MPS5, just typical audiophile periodical itchy you know... Always want to try swiss made source which is considered to have the highest standard build quality as well as a sound quality.

Current system is based on headphones, which consists of MPS5, ARC ref 5se, tube headphone amplifier, Stax SR009 electrostatic headphones. Haven't decided on speaker and power amp yet, but if I went for the C1, very likely would end up with whole set of CH system.
 
Thanks guys for the warm greetings! that's one of the reason why I love this place.
 
Mike said:
Welcome Mike. I would recommend a Lumin. The move from the playback design to the ch precision just looks like a continuation of the DAC merry go round to me. I'm glad to be off it. Loving my Lumin. Google the reviews on it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your advice Mike, I've read your post about Lumin, glad you like it a lot even against your vinyl. Actually I will go to my friend's place to hear his Lumin tomorrow, will report back.

I've never been keen about streamer as I think files can never sound better than discs, but who knows, maybe Lumin is the one.
 
Dacs and even great dacs for hi rez playback r wonderful. Just not sure if the audible difference between a truly wonderful dac under 10k is actually audibly better than a dac for more than twice the price. Let your ears see if a Luman or some dac that compliments your speakers b your quide. Also dacs more than any other component seem to have truly powerful short cycles like computers into todays systems. Newer dacs come racing down the pike several times a year. I am glad my ears can not hear the subtle improvement of a outrageously priced dac. like a ch precision or Trinity.

Nick
 
Having heard the Playback Designs, I am certain the CH is in another league
altogether. I currently own a C1 and the level of refinement and speed is unmatched
unless you get into Trinity territory. I don't care what TAS said, I prefer using the D1
with the C1 using the CH link for DSD....
I also heard the Lumin and quite frankly is a toy compared to the CH
 
elegy said:
Having heard the Playback Designs, I am certain the CH is in another league
altogether. I currently own a C1 and the level of refinement and speed is unmatched
unless you get into Trinity territory. I don't care what TAS said, I prefer using the D1
with the C1 using the CH link for DSD....
I also heard the Lumin and quite frankly is a toy compared to the CH
Click to expand...

Very interested and hope you'll expound on the sound of the C1 and what you heard that makes the Lumin a "toy" in comparison. I have a few digital goodies on the way and I'm all ears for options.
 
Sound is always difficult to describe but the CH offers an unforced naturalness that
I did not experience in those other dacs and therefore the price is more than justified,
especially for a Swiss made product with a serious pedigree. Bottom line you have to go
listen and judge for yourself. I would listen to the C1 as a pre with the A1 as it's very
special.
 
elegy said:
Sound is always difficult to describe but the CH offers an unforced naturalness that
I did not experience in those other dacs and therefore the price is more than justified,
especially for a Swiss made product with a serious pedigree. Bottom line you have to go
listen and judge for yourself. I would listen to the C1 as a pre with the A1 as it's very
special.
Click to expand...

So exactly how is the Lumin a "toy"? And when did you demo it in your system?
 
Welcome Mike.
Always good to listen for yourself in these matters. You'll get as many opinions here as members;) That's a good thing, though it doesn't make the decision any easier.
I'm a vinyl guy for the most part, and have not yet heard a lumin. Many here have recently bought one. I have been using a meridian 808.5 with sooloos ipad drive and thought it was amazing. That is, till i heard the CH precision at RMAF. It was clearly not in my system (amg/arc/verity/nagra) and so clearly difficult to compare, but the sum total of the sound was outstanding. Would not consider any gear that members here are using as a toy, other than the sublime volkswagen bus drive from the turntable thread, so that comment was not appropriate. However, i would agree with the OP and elegy and others that there is some outstanding gear coming out of swiss manufacturers' of late and CH is one i would seriously consider if i had the budget. The build quality is truly stellar. Not sure about whether ethernet sounds better or not as i didn't get to play with the gear long enough. Good luck with your search!
 
Thanks guys for the kind advice, much appreciated. Heard 2 Lumins in different systems today at two of my friends' places, overall I was impressed. The sound from lumin alone was fluid and refined, adding MPS5 into the chain improves the body and dynamic. Also compared rip file from Lumin with Redbook CD from MPS5, both via MPS5 as dac, the difference is small, the decay of CD is more natural in direct comparison, other than that the Lumin stands well in front of the esoteric transport. First time I feel absolutely fine to listen to file for long listening session.
Well done Lumin!
 
Will audition the CH precision next Sat at dealer's and report back.
 
nickif said:
Thanks guys for the kind advice, much appreciated. Heard 2 Lumins in different systems today at two of my friends' places, overall I was impressed. The sound from lumin alone was fluid and refined, adding MPS5 into the chain improves the body and dynamic. Also compared rip file from Lumin with Redbook CD from MPS5, both via MPS5 as dac, the difference is small, the decay of CD is more natural in direct comparison, other than that the Lumin stands well in front of the esoteric transport. First time I feel absolutely fine to listen to file for long listening session.
Well done Lumin!
Click to expand...

Oh btw, both lumins are fed with upgraded power supply unit which is an obvious step-up from the stock power supply according to my friends. And the better sounding one is powered by a shunyata Triton. The major contribution of the Triton is lower noise floor and reduced digital harshness.
 
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