Reviews and what I've seen on various forums have been very positive, but Playback Designs' website shows only three US dealers, all in the midwest. If they want to sell more in the US, they need a good distributor to help build the brand, someone like Philip O'Hanlon, On a Higher Note.
New Playback Designs Dream Series DAC and Digital Transport
- Thread starter bmoura
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I have discussed the marketing by the company with Gary Katayama who is a dealer (Audiophile Zone in Los Osos, CA) not listed on the website. I told him he was not on the website several weeks ago and he emailed Andreas Koch but still not listed. Frankly, they aren't much different than many hi-end audio companies. The efforts are in engineering and production, which is fine with me. I have had my MPT8/MPD8 for about 4-5 years now and still IMO the best DAC at any price.
Fact is that Andreas Koch & co are working hard to keep up with the global demand. The wish for additional partners are most certainly limited at this point in time, where the need to scale up the production would increase significantly with a larger network of representatives. I’m getting the sense that they choose partners very carefully without any rush to grow faster than needed. Quality, performance and good relationships comes first. The way it should be.
The OP was wondering why the thread died even though the products were excellent. I surmised that it was due to lack of market presence. Choosing controlled growth over overextending one's resources in pursuit of growth is good. However, I also think it's important to achieve for some sort of 'critical mass' size in order to provide product support and residual values commensurate premium client expectations.
Andreas Koch also seems to be quite the gentleman based on small sample size. I told him I spent my son's college funds to buy his MPS-X and MPD-8. He thought i was joking.
I was not.
I was not.
I'm looking for streaming recommendations for the MPS-8. I'll be using this with a Pass INT-25 amp and Pure Audio Project Trio15-Coax10 speakers. The MPS-X looks interesting but I'd like to spend less - is the MPS-X a substantial improvement compared to the Stream X2?
I have a second system with SF Electa Amator III speakers and a Boulder 866 amp, and it would be nice to have the option to use the same streamer with either system, if possible. I don't want to do Roon, and I'd like to keep things as simple possible with either Tidal or Qobuz.
I have a second system with SF Electa Amator III speakers and a Boulder 866 amp, and it would be nice to have the option to use the same streamer with either system, if possible. I don't want to do Roon, and I'd like to keep things as simple possible with either Tidal or Qobuz.
If streaming is of high priority and you want a unit in level with your SOTA MPS-8 CD/DAC, there are no short tracks I'm afraid. The MPS-X would be the obvious choice. If this is out of reach, I would look at the Aurender N200, Lumin U2 or InnuOS PULSE which are all within the $5000-$8000 bracket.
Hope that helps.
/ Marcus, www.perfect-sense.se
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