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Playback Designs has announced their new Dream Series products which include the MPD-8 DAC with Quad DSD playback ($22,000) and the MPT-8 Digital Music Transport ($14,000 - $22,000) which brings CD and SACD disc playback along with an optional music server to the Dream Series products. The new Dream Series products will be shown in prototype form at the upcoming AXPONA and High End Munich audio shows in April and May 2017. http://positive-feedback.com/industry-news/playback-designs-dream-series-quad-dsd-dac-transport/

« Playback Designs D/D Converter Adds PLink output to Oppo 103 Player for direct digital link to Merlot DAC Captures all native audio data from any source supported by Oppo Player and sends it to Merlot for conversion to analog Supports very long distances between Oppo Player and Merlot DAC Galvanic separation between player and DAC Very easy installation » From TAS, $1,850 : « “OpBox” modification kit for Oppo players, which allows a direct connection to the Merlot DAC via ST optical cable. This permits digital audio data sourced from any disc (CD, SACD, DVD or Blu-ray) to be transmitted natively via the Oppo’s optical output to Merlot for direct conversion to analog. The conversion is an easy install and can be performed either by a dealer or end user directly. » See also Playback Designs Merlot DAC/Headphone Amp with DSD 256

Playback Design Merlot DAC ($6500) Playback Designs imagines, creates and manufactures the highest performance, highest resolution, jitter free digital playback systems available for the most discerning of listeners. Each and every person involved with Playback Designs is first and foremost a lover of music. Without this appreciation no company involved in either high-end audio or the professional recording industry can truly measure how good the products are that they are bringing to market. Sure, they measure each and every unit that we ship, but the most important step is the final listening session that occurs just prior to packaging the unit for shipment. Playback Designs’ systems represent the finest audio playback in the world for the finest listening system in the world… your ears! Most people consider digital playback to be sonically inferior to analog playback, whether tape or vinyl. Playback Designs wanted to match or better the critical areas where we felt analog had superior advantages without losing the benefits of great digital playback. The Merlot D/A converter is the first in history to also offer recording capability direct to hard disk. Anything you want to do with audio, digital or analog, this system can do it. The Merlot is a state-of-the-art discrete converter accepting any digital format and sample rate up to quad DSD via its AES / SPDIF / USB and PLink (proprietary ST fiber-optic) interfaces. Merlot Integrated DAC / Headphone Amp Features Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD USB, AES, Coax, PLink inputs Headphone output with separate volume control Balanced and unbalanced line level outputs Differential discrete DAC (standard “Playback Designs” architecture) Software upgradeable by end user Recording software for file creation on computer This product qualifies for Free Shipping and 5% back in points when you register for Club Ciamara Membership Rewards Program 1.844.CIAMARA (1.844.242.6272) High End Audio Store NYC - Experience Ciamara

View Classified Playback Designs MPD-5 DAC with USB-XIII - Price Drop! Hi All, Am selling my Playback Designs MPD-5 DAC with the USB-XIII Interface. This is an outstanding sounding DAC. It has taken me two years to find a suitable replacement. Some of the DAC's I have directly compared it with in my setup are the Aqua Formula xHD, PS Audio Directstream and MSB Analog. I preferred the MPD-5 over all off these, although the MSB did come close. The unit is in perfect condition, having been used with the utmost care, like all my equipment. It has never been opened, repaired, etc. I am the original owner. The USB-XIII box is a USB to Digital Converter used for streaming, specially made for Playback Design DAC's. This outputs high bandwidth ST-Optical to the DAC allowing it to play high resolution music up to 384kHz and DSD up to 4x (quad DSD). Being an optical interface it completely isolates the DAC from any electical noise. The DAC is 230V and the USB-XIII comes with a universal power adaptor. I have the original packing and this is what is included: MPD-5 DAC USB-XIII Interface ST-Optical Cable Alumimium Remote Control Manuals for DAC and Interface Original Power Supply for the USB-XIII The list price for both was approximately US$15000. I am selling them for US$5400 + shipping. I have a FedEx account and get a decent discount on shipping rates. Further details and specifications of both products can be read at the manufacturer links below: http://www.playbackdesigns.com/docs/productsheets/playback-designs-MPD5.pdf http://www.playbackdesigns.com/docs/productsheets/playback-designs-usbx3.pdf Feel free to message me for more photos, payment information, etc. I have been in audio for a long time and can give references, if needed. Seller msb1 Date 09/05/20 Price 4,800.00 USD Category Digital to Analog Converters

Selling my MPD 3 Dac! This is the best I've heard and used.The sound is glorious. This plays the highest resolution files through usb.The unit is in Pristine condition, no pets, smoke free home, see the pictures below. I'm downsizing so the jewel in the crown has to go. I'll be selling other gear too.I'm asking $3900 including shipping within the Cont USA. I think it is a fair price. I'll ship in original double box with remote, manual, power cable and usb cable. Most of you are familiar with this Dac but in case it needs an introduction check out the links and info below. The new Playback Designs Series 3 products are revolutionary. The Playback Designs Music Playback Digital to Analog Converter 3, also known as MPD-3, is a product that is totally unique in today’s market place. The MPD-3 is a world-class discrete dual differential DAC that can receive a variety of external digital sources, including computer based music servers – not only a unique and powerful combination, but also versatile in applications. Another unique feature of the MPD-3 is its ability to play back super high resolution files of up to 24/384kHz PCM and 6.1MHz DSD through USB off of either a PC or Macintosh computer. This is 32 times the resolution of players with the ability to play back 192kHz high resolution files. Through the use of their newest apodizing upsampling filter for 44.1 and 48kHz sample rates, PCM never sounded better or more analog-like. Apodizing filters are special upsampling filters that compensate for some of the ringing effects caused by brick wall filters in the Analog to Digital Converters (A/D) used during recording. Depending on the recordings apodizing filters can provide audible improvements. This is not a new technology and is used mostly to improve reception signals from the edge of dish antennas (satellite). Since brick walls in A/D converters are akin to edges on dish antennas the same principle holds for digital audio and similar filters can be used in DACs with noticeable improvements. As with Playback Designs' 5-Series products, they have a DAC built to the same standards as their MPS-3 CD Player. It is actually identical in every way except it does not have a transport mechanism. With more and more enthusiasts taking advantage of computer-based music, the MPD-3 might be the perfect solution! Andreas Koch, Playback Designs | The Ear http://www.bluelightaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Playback-Designs-MPD-3-Front.png