Is there a sonic improvement to PD MPS 5 with USB Extender Box (USB-X) on redbook cd?

[caesar]

Face it, for most of us, the majority of our digital music collection is redbook cd. The non USB Extender Box (USB-X) MPS 5 player sounds good with redbook, but is not the last word in great cd sound. Actually it sounds a bit flat. And it's not just me. Fremer, who uses the PD player as his reference, always says the same thing when comparing his beloved vinyl to digital. A much cheaper Ayre player has more space around the instruments than the original MPS 5. (Of course Fremer missed this in his Ayre review.) And more expensive Meridian and dCS easily outdo the Ayre players.

Anyways, is there an improvement in PD sound on regular cd's with the USB Extender Box (USB-X)?

 

[Rutgar]

I'm using a MacBook Pro running Amarra (ver. 2.2) for RedBook CD's. Compared to playing the actual disc in the MPS-5 transport, I will say the sound is 'different'. But as all things audio, I will leave it up to individuals as to whether or not, one is 'better'. I haven't D/L'd Amarra 2.3 yet, but I have heard that it also has a 'different' sound with RedBook CD's than ver. 2.2. So, computer audio seems to be ever changing. The one BIG advantage I will give to the music server, is having your entire RedBook Collection at the touch of your fingertips, without having to get up from your favorite listening chair!

On a side note, the very few DSD files I have played using Pure Music in HOG/Intiger Mode, sound wonderful!

 

[caesar]

Thanks, Rutgar. I have never heard a better SACD player than the MPS 5. But on redbook, it was good rather than great. I am hoping that this new box improves the redbook sound.