Dream DAC/PreAmp

MPD-8AI Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter/PreAmp

DAC/PreAmp with integrated volume control

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• Balanced and unbalanced analog inputs (pure analog, not converted to digital)
• USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
• digitally driven, analog volume control (also on analog inputs)
• double Differential discrete DAC
• double Differential ultra high end analog stages per channel
• three regulated analog power supplies with three transformers
• Software upgradeable by end user
• Recording software for file creation on computer

Dream DAC

MPD-8 Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter

DAC with integrated volume control

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
• digitally driven, analog volume control
• double Differential discrete DAC
• double Differential ultra high end analog stages per channel
• three regulated analog power supplies with three transformers
• Software upgradeable by end user
• Recording software for file creation on computer
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android

Dream Transport

MPT-8 Playback Designs Transport

Integrated Transport, Music Streamer

• Connects directly to MPD-8 (or any other Playback Designs DAC) via PLink
• Connects to any other DAC via AES
• Special designed high end SACD/CD transport
• optional built-in Stream-X2 Streamer
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android

Dream Player

MPS-8 Playback Designs Player

Integrated Player, Music Streamer

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
• digitally driven, analog volume control
• differential discrete DAC
• differential high end analog stages per channel
• two regulated analog power supplies with two transformers
• Special designed high end SACD/CD transport
• optional built-in StreamX Streamer
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android

Dream Amplifier

SPA-8 Playback Designs Stereo Power Amplifier

Features

• ultra-low-noise differential linear-phase input
• discrete complementary differential class-A input stage
• discrete complementary class-A voltage amplifier stage
• class-A pre-driver and driver
• class-AB bipolar output stage
• low impedance CFP bias generator
• latest thermal TRAK technology for ultra-fast and precise bias
• 20x 200W BJ transistors per channel
• 2x 1800VA toroidal transformer with electric and magnetic shielding
• 294000µF capacitors
• each channel is a standalone processor supervised system (total of four processors)

Specs

• 2x 1600W continuous peak into 4 Ohm
• 0.00054% THD+N (1kHz, 400W, 8R)
• 93dB SNR (1W, 8R, 20Hz-22kHz)
• 860x730x340 (LxBxH[mm])
• 137kg

Edelweiss DAC

MPD-6 Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter

DAC with integrated volume control

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
• Digitally driven, analog volume control
• Fully differential discrete DAC
• Optional internal streaming module
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
• Firmware upgradeable by end user

Edelweiss Player

MPS-6 Playback Designs Player

Integrated Player / Music Streamer

• Special designed high end SACD/CD transport
• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
• Digitally driven, analog volume control
• Fully differential discrete DAC
• Optional internal streaming module
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
• Firmware upgradeable by end user

Edelweiss Digital Frontend / Streamer

MPS-X Playback Designs Digital Frontend, Streamer

Digital Frontend, Music Server, Music Streamer

• USB I/O (PCM up to 384kHz, DSD up to 11.2MHz)
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• Streaming (Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, vTuner, NAS)
• PLink input for all native sample rates
• AES input (PCM up to 192kHz, DSD via DoP)
• Coax input (PCM up to 192kHz, DSD via DoP)
• TosLink input (PCM up to 96kHz)
• PLink output
• AES output
• Coax output
• Newest generation PDFAS clocking technology for ultra low jitter performance
• Connects directly any Playback Designs DAC via PLink
• Connects to any other DAC via AES or Coax
• Recording software for file creation on computer
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
• Firmware upgradeable by end user

Merlot DAC*discontinued

Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter

Integrated DAC / Headphone Amp

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB, AES, Coax, PLink inputs
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• 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

Syrah Server*discontinued

Playback Designs Music Server

!!Software/App no longer supported!!

Integrated Music Server

• Connects directly to Merlot (or any other Playback Designs DAC) via USB
• Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
• Plays any audio from internal, external or NAS storage
• Internal 2TB HDD standard, optional SSD
• Streaming via DLNA
• Automatic ripping from external drive (included)
• Automatic retrieval of cover art, meta data from data base

Pinot ADC

Playback Designs Analog Digital Converter

Integrated A/D Converter

• Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
• USB, AES, Coax, PLink outputs
• BNC clock I/O
• XLR inputs with adjustable gain
• super low distortion
• Software upgradeable by end user
• Recording software for file creation on computer

Sonoma Recorder

The Sonoma Recorder is a free software application for the Windows platform that allows you to record natively any digital audio being generated by the Pinot A/D Converter or being played through any Playback Designs DAC. It creates .wav (PCM), .dff (DSD) or .dsf (DSD) files that can then be played on the Playback Designs Syrah Server or any other player.

Windows Recording Software

• Very easy installation
• Up to DSD 4x recording
• record to .dff a or .dsf files
• Up to PCM 384kHz recording
• Direct monitoring option through Pinot ADC or any Playback Designs DAC

*Sonoma Recorder 1.3 requires USB Driver 2.0

USB-X4

Playback Designs Digital Anti Jitter Interface

USB-X4 Interface

• new generation USB interface for PCM up to 384kHz and DSD up to 4x
• USB compatibility with Windows, Apple OS, Linux
• PLink I/O compatible with all Playback Designs products(*1)
• Newest generation PDFAS clocking technology for ultra low jitter performance
• USB powered with connection for optional external power
• Firmware can be updated by end user

Purpose: this simple USB to PLINK interface is designed to isolate any USB source from the sensitive DAC via our high quality, synchronous fiber optic PLINK connection. It borrows this concept from it's bigger brother, the MPS-X, which is not just limited to the USB interface like the USB-X4, but also includes a variety of other interfaces and features as well (see MPS-X product page for more details). Any digital source with a USB host interface can connect to the USB-X4 which then is connected to any of our DACs(*1) through PLINK. All asynchronous clocks that are mandated by the USB interface standard and any other digital noise from the source are therefore kept from entering the DAC where they would always cause some audible deterioration. Asynchronous data streams from the USB source are carefully filtered with our PDFAS algorithm and synchronized to an internal high quality audio clock. This results in a dramatic sonic improvement when compared to a direct USB connection to the DAC. The sound stage becomes even more defined, the performance even more liquid and overall more "analog-like". A valuable addition to any of our products(*1).

(*1) On special order the USB-X4 can be programmed to be compatible with our older 5-series products.

OpBox

Playback Designs D/D Converter

Modification Kit for Oppo Player

• Adds PLink output to Oppo103 and Oppo203 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

The USB audio interfaces for all Playback Designs products are compatible with MAC OS* and Linux without any additional driver software. For computers running on the Windows operating system a driver software needs to be installed.

Which driver to choose?

Driver 1.1 is for Classic products only and allows:
- playback on Classic products up DSD 2x natively

Driver 2.0 is for all products (Classic with conditions, Sonoma, Dream and Stream-IF) and allows:
- playback on Classic products up to DSD 2x in DoP format only
- playback on all other products up to DSD 4x natively
- Roon compatible, supporting DSD up to DSD 4x

*Preliminary tests with the most recent release of Apple's El Capitan OS X release (version 10.11) have shown that our hardware in all Classic products is no longer properly recognized when the USB cable is connected. This was not a problem with any of Apple's older releases (Yosemite and older). This appears to be a problem with Apple's new USB driver which is built into the OS. We are working on a hardware upgrade kit to address this problem and are planning to launch this later in 2016. In the meantime we recommend to not update your Mac to El Capitan, or revert back to the previous release (Yosemite). All our products in the new Sonoma line are already fully compatible with El Capitan.

A correct driver installation and computer software setup can be tested by playing a special bit pattern through the USB input of all Playback Designs products. When your computer system is correctly set up the front panel will display "Bit Perfect" after completion of playback. See product manual for more details.

Download and unzip the new version and then follow instructions in the user's manual for updating your product.

Please follow the directions in the manual carefully and the update will be very easy. If you have any problems please contact your dealer.

Download and unzip the new version and then follow instructions in the user's manual for updating your product.

Please follow the directions in the manual carefully and the update will be very easy. If you have any problems please contact your dealer.

Product updates are available here to download. They can ONLY be downloaded and installed via a PC. MAC computers WILL NOT WORK. As updates are are released, there will be a notice in the “News” section of this website. If you have a PC, please download and install the Playback Designs Update Utility (PDUU) first and follow with downloading and unzipping the update for your product. Please note the location of where you unzip the file.

Here are more specifics:

1. 1. Download PDUU and install using a PC, NOT MAC.
2. 2. Download proper Owner’s Manual and READ THOROUGHLY.
3. 3. Download proper file (ex.: MPS-5 SACD / CD Player) and extract all files.
4. 4. Connect laptop via a USB cable to the “software” port on the MPS-5.
5. 5. Double click the “Playback Designs Update Utility” icon on your desktop.
6. 6. Verify “Connected Equipment”. If window is empty, click “Refresh List” button.
7. 7. In “File to transfer” window, click “Browse” button on right and search for the file: MPS-5_01029.ace (for MPS-5). Once found, make sure the file appears in the “File to transfer” window.
8. 8. Click Update.

Please follow the directions carefully and the update will be very easy. If you have any problems please contact your dealer.