Playback Design MPS5 upgrade to CH precision, any thoughts.

Bought it on the used market to try and think it's a nice dac - seriously no
criticism here and toy is perhaps too strong. But to say that it is on the level of CH or
remotely close is very far from what I've experienced.
 
elegy said:
Bought it on the used market to try and think it's a nice dac - seriously no
criticism here and toy is perhaps too strong. But to say that it is on the level of CH or
remotely close is very far from what I've experienced.
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But it's not a DAC. You can't even use it at a DAC if you wanted to since it doesn't have any digital inputs. Sooooooo.....???
 
Notwithstanding the fact that I'm set to receive a "toy" tomorrow, I would very much like to know how the upgraded power supply works with it. Also, what was/is the lead time for the PS?
 
I use my CH C1 as a network streamer in the same way the Lumin is used as a network streamer (using a router and NAS). The difference is that the CH has multiple digital inputs and can act as either a straight dac or dac/pre (and sounds considerably better). Lumin is made in China and CH is made in Switzerland. So I'm a little confused how a thread about Playback Design and CH Precision morphed into one about Lumin (a streamer) which is substantially less money than the (full function) CH and simply not comparable. I am confident that Lumin is a good value and a solid performer but why Lumin in a Playback/CH thread? BTW looks like Marshall Nack of Positive Feedback prefers the CH A1 amp to his Soulution: CH Precision A1 Amplifier

So I think you (NICKIF) should definitely listen to this amp with the C1 as dac/pre using both streaming functions and with the D1 via CH link so you can compare and judge for yourself. I stream DSD (hirez) with the C1 through my nas and it's out of this world but the bulk of my collection is on CD so the D1 was indispensable. I have owned FM Acoustics, Goldmund and Gryphon etc., but CH is my new reference. Yes it's expensive but relatively speaking, compared to say, a Chinese made TAD CR-1 speaker at an "outrageous" 40k and then discounted on Audiogon by its own dealers, I'd rather invest in a Swiss made jewel that for me, has much greater value and longevity.




Tunes, were they using a streamer with NAS or the D1 at RMAF? - perhaps you have insight on the difference in sound, which is the scope of this thread....

 
elegy said:
I use my CH C1 as a network streamer in the same way the Lumin is used as a network streamer (using a router and NAS). The difference is that the CH has multiple digital inputs and can act as either a straight dac or dac/pre (and sounds considerably better). Lumin is made in China and CH is made in Switzerland. So I'm a little confused how a thread about Playback Design and CH Precision morphed into one about Lumin (a streamer) which is substantially less money than the (full function) CH....
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Hi Elegy,

Nice write-up and thanks for the advice, will definitely hear the C1 +D1+A1 if possible.

BTW, would you mind sharing more experience on the streaming function of C1? Is it like a normal streamer where you plug it into a NAS and play? Does it come with an ipad app?

Besides, have you done a AB comparo between redbook CD from D1 and CD rip file from NAS by any chance? what's the result?

thanks.
 
Elegy,
At RMAF they had the ethernet streaming board option on the c1 but also had the d1. I only heard the c1 as used with the CH reps' music catalog via ipad so can't offer a comment on the difference.
 
tunes said:
Elegy,
At RMAF they had the ethernet streaming board option on the c1 but also had the d1. I only heard the c1 as used with the CH reps' music catalog via ipad so can't offer a comment on the difference.
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Then it should be streaming from nas, what's the rest of the system? how did it sound like?
 
The C1 connects via ethernet into the router or NAS. I like using the Synology for NAS and an Ipad using Plugplayer to control everything. Plugplayer is a little quirky but I can listen to DSD and all hi-rez media with it. Apparently CH is coming out with their own app in the near future...

I have compared both sacd and redbook discs through the D1 into the C1 as well as those same recordings ripped to the NAS and listened to via the streaming board on the C1. It is very very close and perhaps the biggest variable is the rest of the system and whether it will pick up on the differences. But my personal preference is for the D1 into the C1 using the CH proprietary link. I feel more ease and flow with the D1 in the picture in addition to more weight and presence. Again, the streamer is very very close and if I did not have 1000's of cd's, I would probably just get the C1 with streaming board. I also like playing physical media so the D1 made sense. It is also phenomenal as a stand alone cd/sacd player, clearly bettering all other players I listened to. Listen to how it handles complex musical passages with all information intact and no stridency or glare. It has a way of sounding so honest but not sterile....


Remember to ask your dealer to listen to it with a stereo or mono set of A1's - this way you'll really hear what it can do. If money is a concern, I would start off with a C1 and streaming board (used as a dac/pre) into the A1 and then when funds permit, invest in a D1.


Hope this helps :)
 
elegy said:
The C1 connects via ethernet into the router or NAS. I like using the Synology for NAS and an Ipad using Plugplayer to control everything. Plugplayer is a little quirky but I can listen to DSD and all hi-rez media with it. Apparently CH is coming out with their own app in the near future...

...

Remember to ask your dealer to listen to it with a stereo or mono set of A1's - this way you'll really hear what it can do. If money is a concern, I would start off with a C1 and streaming board (used as a dac/pre) into the A1 and then when funds permit, invest in a D1.


Hope this helps :)
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great sharing elegy!


I second your findings that there's more fluidity and weight in the music from a good transport, but a top streamer can be really close, closer than any USB solution I've heard.


Yeah, the good thing about CH is the company apparently has the ambition to be an all-rounder like Gryphon, goldmund. And given the modular design, upgrading should be a lot of fun.
 
I love my MPS-5 but I came from a ARC Ref 8. I only use it for CDs and SACDs. I don't do any streaming or downloads. I'm mostly a vinyl guy. I was listening to it this morning and was thinking how good it sounded. Won't be changing any time soon.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
....So, back to the topic.
While comparing CDP's from Playback Designs, Cary Audio, Esoteric, Meitner Audio, dCS and EMM Labs I often struggled to hear differences between them. This observation led me to question once more the benefit of spending vast sums of money on a source. I actually found that allocating more money to other parts of the system - especially the loudspeakers - rendered a better result for the investment than throwing everything you have at the source. YMMV.
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Hi Kiwi, can't agree more. The difference between sources may not be as big as we think, I heard the TOTL MsB diamond full set matched with MSB CD4 sig transport with high hope, but it failed to move me enough to make an upgrade from My PD. Therefore I'm looking for something special, something touches my heart the very first moment I hear it. We'll see
 
Frank750 said:
I love my MPS-5 but I came from a ARC Ref 8. I only use it for CDs and SACDs. I don't do any streaming or downloads. I'm mostly a vinyl guy. I was listening to it this morning and was thinking how good it sounded. Won't be changing any time soon.
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Hi Frank, when I shopped around for a CD player last year, auditioned the ARC cd9. the Arc is a very good player, but to my ears it sounded a bit too bold and energetic, the playback is more relaxed and laidback. Nevertheless it's more of a mater of preference. The beauty of playback designs is its versatility. It serves as a CD, SACD player as well as a USB DSD DAC, from that perspective it's a bang for the buck.
 
Guys, here's the happy ending. Sorry to let you down Mike, guess I'd need to explore a bit further into the dac mug puddle before I'd be able to get to your level. Elegy, many thanks for your first hand experience sharing on the Ch gear, very helpful. Thanks everyone for the help!
 

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nickif, great choice, you can't go wrong there with the CH Precision gear, it is stellar. Ultra 5's benefit your choice well.



 
Nickif,
That is one serious bit of kit. Congrats. Would be interested to hear more about how it performs in your system after you've had some time to play.
Chris
 
Congrats, nickif!! That's some serious front end! Well done!:audiophile:
 
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