Playback Designs MPD-8

[BruceD]

This is an honest question Jerome. What about the Plink interface makes the direction matter? I have never hears of optical gel.
Thanks

Yes I recall Frank the CD Transport "Guru" at Theta was the first to implement his "Opti-Gue"(sic)! for application to the Optical lead connectors before insertion. I've still got some somewhere I think.

BruceD

 

[F208Frank]

MPS-X is nice. Network acoustics tempus switch and muon pro filter also really nice and amazing. Anything foundational (server streamer dac) I enjoy working on more for some odd reason. Recently about to mess around with speaker cables so that should be fun!

Sums it up.

 

[Rumpole]

Are there any tricks to disconnecting the MPS-X Plink cable from the MPS-8? Mine was stuck in very tight, and although I was very careful to pull straight back, I still managed to break the tip off, and can't remove it. Is the optical gel a lubricant to make it easier to insert or remove the Plink cable?

 

[brad225]

I can’t imagine they’ve changed the cables connections.
previously, you would push in on the connector and turn it left or right until it would unlock and then pull away from the equipment.

 

[Rumpole]

I can’t imagine they’ve changed the cables connections.
previously, you would push in on the connector and turn it left or right until it would unlock and then pull away from the equipment.

Yes - I turned it to unlock it, and pulled straight out, but it would pull out, and when I pulled harder, I broke the tip off.

 

[F208Frank]

You plug it straight in with not much force and once able to push inward, then you turn.

 

[Rumpole]

You plug it straight in with not much force and once able to push inward, then you turn.

Thanks - I might have pressed it in too hard the first time I connected it. I can't remove the broken tip now, so I'm using the AES input. I'll probably need to ship it back to PBD to get the tip removed.

 

[F208Frank]

Thanks - I might have pressed it in too hard the first time I connected it. I can't remove the broken tip now, so I'm using the AES input. I'll probably need to ship it back to PBD to get the tip removed.

You are very calm regarding what happened, I would be very upset and annoyed by now if I was you. (At self of course not at PBD)

The important thing to realize is that it does not take a lot of strength to connect and disconnect.

 

[Rumpole]

You are very calm regarding what happened, I would be very upset and annoyed by now if I was you. (At self of course not at PBD)

It has been a rough ride with the MPS-X. I did read the manual carefully but I have had a couple of problems that might have been prevented with better instructions in the manual. So no, I am not mad at myself because I did carefully follow all of the instructions in the manual.

I'm also having problems with songs stuttering or stopping abruptly. It might be caused by my internet service, but it seems like the MPS-X should have enough internal buffering to prevent this. I have this problem streaming Qobuz with both BubbleUPnP/Android and JPLAY/Apple.

I'm going to try a Grimm MU2 to see if I get the same problems.

 

[F208Frank]

It has been a rough ride with the MPS-X. I did read the manual carefully but I have had a couple of problems that might have been prevented with better instructions in the manual. So no, I am not mad at myself because I did carefully follow all of the instructions in the manual.

I'm also having problems with songs stuttering or stopping abruptly. It might be caused by my internet service, but it seems like the MPS-X should have enough internal buffering to prevent this. I have this problem streaming Qobuz with both BubbleUPnP/Android and JPLAY/Apple.

I'm going to try a Grimm MU2 to see if I get the same problems.

I have had no issues with my MPSX but please do update when trying MU2.

 

[matthias]

I am one of the US Dealers for Playback.

May I ask a question?
According to the PD homepage the Merlot DAC is discontinued.
Is there a PD entry level DAC upcoming as a replacement?
Thank you

 

[VerdantAudio]

At this time I do not believe there is a plan to introduce a Merlot replacement. I was aware of MPD6 about 6-8 months before it was released.

The Meitner MA3 or Bricasti M3 and M1 are best options IMO at a lower price if you like Playback.

Periodically Merlots do end up on the used market. I have one coming in shortly.

 

[jeromelang]

On the MPS-8, when the unused inputs are switched off, there are discernible sonic improvements.

 

[F208Frank]

On the MPS-8, when the unused inputs are switched off, there are discernible sonic improvements.

That is interesting to know. I do keep mine off also for OCD sake.