MPS-5 - Playback Designs Music Playback System 5

The Playback Designs Music Playback System 5, also known as MPS-5, is a product that can compete with some of the finest analog setups and comes closer to the original recording session and master tapes than anything we have heard. The MPS-5 is really two products in one single box: a world class CD/SACD transport combined with a DAC that can also receive a variety of external digital sources, including PC based music servers – not only a unique and powerful combination, but also versatile in applications.

The Playback Designs MPS-5 starts with a modified Esoteric transport mechanism. Although there are quite a few very good mechanisms to use for a lot less money, the chosen transport delivers excellent stabilility and reliability. The build quality is excellent and being the work horse of the player, we decided that the substantial increase in our cost to use these devices was well worth it, especially for the long term.

While the MPS-5 is a world class CD/SACD player, its internal DAC can also be used with external digital sources through a multitude of digital inputs. In particular it can be connected directly to a PC via the USB interface, whereby the MPS-5 becomes the soundcard of the PC and converts all the digital audio from the PC to analog via the same processes used for the transport. Finally you can expect the same level of sonic performance from your PC as you can from the transport. The MPS-5 automatically recognizes any source (such as a PC, IPod, Discman, etc.) and uses new technology we have developed called PDFAS (Playback Designs Frequency Arrival System) to completely eliminate all jitter.

The Playback Designs MPS-5 will challenge what you have come to expect as the limitations of digital playback!

Analog outputs:
XLR: balanced, 4Vrms @ 1kHz full level, pin 2 Hot
RCA: unbalanced, 2Vrms @ 1kHz full level
BNC: unbalanced, 50O, 2Vrms @ 1kHz full level

Digital outputs: XLR: AES/EBU formatted for stereo linear PCM data.
If playing from disc the data on this output will be 16bits / 44.1kHz.
If playing from a digital input the data on this output will be up to 24bits and up to 192kHz.

Data / Clock:
For future expansion.

Digital inputs:
AES: XLR connector for AES/EBU formatted stereo linear PCM data, up to 24bits and up to 192kHz.
S/PDIF: same as AES, but S/PDIF formatted on RCA connector.
TOSLINK: same as S/PDIF, but on optical connector.
PLAYLINK: Proprietary links to future Playback Designs equipment.
PC: Direct USB connection to computers for sample rates up to 48kHz.

System Control:
REMOTE: RS-232 wired remote control.

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