For those of you who think that they have heard the PD, you really have not heard it the PD unless you heard it with the Wave Kinetics Vibration Source Control System that Chambers Audio is encouraging PD customers to use.
Its so good that I dare say it should be sold directly with the Playback Designs unit. I am not sure why its so effective because the footers on the PD seem quite good but these items neutralize vibration so well that the redbook on the PD truly soars. The focus improves, the detail improves, and the overall presentation is just so much better. |
Hi Frankg, actually, I agree that the PD had more forgiving, sweeter, and well, better highs than the EMM, and also that it is more organic. And yes, it does have more weight in the images, but I felt that the images were overweight, and there was some sort of pounding I just did not care for. Maybe because I have had EMM so long, I am just used to it. The EMM never pushes anything at me, and seems to draw me in, and seems to have a "real" sound, something like the realness I remember with my old Apogee Stage speakers.
The EMM highs can be a little raw on some CDs, and I noticed that the same CD did not have this rawness on the PD, but is sounded like the the PD was somehow altering the sound in a strange way, and, as I mentioned, I just kept feeling that the sound was "wavy." I've been through a number of players (Meridian 508.24, Accuphase 75V, Sony 777ES and now Sony 5400ES) and I've never come across this particular affect. Maybe it was just my player, but that's all I have to go on. So, I am sticking with my trusty EMM SE pair (can't afford the new EMM gear). |
Okay, good news. Firmware 104_023 for the XDS1 has passed QA and can now be found at the EMM Labs website. This solves the SACD distortion issue with multiple digital input switches, improves digital input locking and includes the "subtle" sound quality enhancement. Unfortunately, the password for firmware files has changed and I have no idea what it is. |
as far the Playback Designs viewpoint on the sound, whether it has too much weight, is too forgiving, or 'adds' something.....i can only say that whatever it's doing along those lines, my 3 tt's do and where i have a 15ips 1/4" master dub playing on my Studer RTR deck/King-Cello repro of the same recording they do it similarly too. it's hard to find a better sonic reference than that.
pianos, drum kits, violins, vocals; the weight, body, decay, harmonic texture......all resemble the analog sound.
the leaner, flater, more 'crisp' sound many like is not the Playback Designs character; neither is it any of my tt's or my RTR master dubs.
which is real?
or more properly...which does one prefer?
there is not only one answer to that.
Andreas Koch (PD designer and for many years the EMM digital designer) visited me in my home last week; he was here in Seattle with his family to go on an Alaska cruise. we had a long talk (he talked, i listened) about how people listen and how the PD has different sonic priorities than other digital players. when i put on a few master tapes on the Studer (Andreas worked for Studer 25 years ago and headed a team which developed the digital recording version of my Studer A-820--his college room-mate designed the analog output of my A-820) it was fun comparing that to the digital from the PD. |
My standard of comparison when I auditioned the PD in my home for anout ten weeks was my Rockport Sirius with a Lyra Titan i and later swapped out for an Ortofon A90. I did not have a reel to reel for comparison but am familiar with Albert Porter's totally rebuilt Studer A810. Based on that, I felt that the EMM Labs XDS1 was more accurate. |
Mike,
That's awesome to have some quality time with Andreas! Actually, I'm actively researching the vintage Studer line from R2R to mixing consoles...I'd like to have access to a multichannel Studer R2R :-)
I hope to hear your reference-class system, again, particularly with the King/Cello electronics...is it set up for repro only? Did Ki do the work?
Happy Fourth!
Sam |
hi Sam,
you are always welcome and it would fun for you to make another visit.
yes; it was a treat and learning experience spending time with Andreas.
the King/Cello is sitting on the right side of the room with the Studer and Ampex. it's setup with the darTZeel BNC interface and really sounds lively and vivid. i need to get a better rack for it (it's sitting on a plant stand for now) as i'm sure it would benefit. i've pulled out some of my pre-GPA treatments to optimize it's situation for now.
currently it's only being used as a tape repro. however; i'm tempted to add another tt over on the right side as Myles and Rich Brown assure me it's an excellent phono stage too. i was thinking of a Technics SL-1200 Mk? with a modest arm and cartridge.
a few months ago Ki wired the switch into the heads on the Studer and that is still the way i'm using it. one of these days i'll have Ki wire a switch into the Ampex ATR-102 too so i can play that through the King/Cello. |
FYI; there is a new review on the Playback Designs MPS-5 in this month's Absolute Sound (i saw it and read it last night) written by Jacob Heilbruun.
Jacob has a first class system with top level analog as a reference (he owns a Continuum Caliburn tt). |
I think the comment regarding EMM sounds more similar (or accurate) in comparison to Lyra Titan/Rockport is interesting. I have not heard Lyra often enough and never heard A90 but I do think that Lyra house sound certainly seems to be in the same family or closely related to EMM.
Tonally, in my system, PD has more in common with my Dynavector XV-1s (running through Ortofon T100 SUT) than EMM although I think Dyna has even fuller body and more weight as a whole and a bit more of the thick (in a good way), smooth extended top. EMM is probably more similar to my old Ortofon Jubilee but not quite as punchy but similar leaner sound than Dyna. I do not find PD excessive in the bottom end nor unnatural sounding. However, personally, I am more interested in stereo system that makes everything sound more listenable. There is no reason to sacrifice great performance that happens to be poorly recorded. Just my own preference.... |
Frank,
How would you compare the PD with the APL? Two things: 1. In my opinion, Andreas Koch is not only a very skilful designer but also a very nice person. 2. Several NWO owners have the PD at home and, from what I know, they like the way it sounds. Hope this helps! Best, Alex |
Suteetat,
Thanks for the well thought out response to my posting. I think that the PD and the XDS1 are both great machines but that they will appeal to different buyers. Likewise, the choice may in the end be somewhat system dependent. A lengthy review of the XDS1 will soon appear in www.dagogo.com. |
MikeLavigne
Leading advertising How do you convince me you recommend me the Playback Designs and you have Emm Labs least the pictures of your audio system. just desolate reality and truth.
|
Rilou,
'leading advertising'....not sure i get your meaning.
i am guilty of neglecting to update my system page as far as all the details, here and on audioasylum for a few years, sorry. i've had the Playback Designs MPS-5 (and the EMM Labs has been gone) since the summer of 2006 (or 2007?....i did get a very early PD) as i recall.
there always seems to be something more important to do....like listen to music.....spend time with my wife....etc.etc.
i promise to 'intend' to update it soon. don't hold your breath....
if you read my posts on my system page they tell the story of my system progress over time. there are a few of them to get through however.
best regards, |
Mike, Thanks for the reply, everything is clear with this answer, I could not get the chance to directly compare the emm XDS1 and Playback Designs.
I already have the Emm DCC2 SE and SE CDSD I already sold.
Thank you for trying to convince me with the values of the device you recommend me to purchase such as PD. WHY ?.
Thanks. |
Thank you for trying to convince me with the values of the device you recommend me to purchase such as PD. WHY ?. again; i'm not sure what you are asking but i will try to respond. WHY? why do i write about the Playback Designs? it's what we do here. we talk about our experiences. particularly when someone (in this case you) asks a question. why do i try and convince you? i don't look at it that way; i'm sharing my perspective, not intending to convince or not to convince. i have no 'agenda' other than to enjoy the community of fellow audiophiles. did that answer your question? if not, please ask your question in more detail. |
Thanks Mike,
I would like to know on what musical spectrum such talk is better than her rivals and also what quality of components and manufacturing and completly made in US?.
Thank you again
|
Rilou, I would like to know on what musical spectrum such talk is better than her rivals i answered that with the fourth post in this thread here.and also what quality of components and manufacturing and completly made in US? i answered that with the first post in this thread here.if those posts don't fully answer your question feel free to ask another one. be as specific as you can. |
I updated xds1 firmware today to 104-023. The sonic imrovement is quite obvious. However, I was quite upset that the player could not lock into hi-Rez tracks at all. I reinstalled new firmware but still got no luck. Had to revert to old firmware to play hi-Rez tracks. Does any one have a better luck? |
Wow, that's not good. I hope emmlabs will quickly release new firmware to fix that bug. Hard to believe, really.
Regards, |
Teenill,
Have you called EMM to ask? They are probably the best place to start. Unfortunately, I don't currently use the digital inputs with anything higher than 48/24 so I can't help. |
I updated xds1 firmware today to 104-023. The sonic imrovement is quite obvious. However, I was quite upset that the player could not lock into hi-Rez tracks at all. I reinstalled new firmware but still got no luck. Had to revert to old firmware to play hi-Rez tracks. Does any one have a better luck? |
I emailed Emm technical support last Saturday. If I don't get the answer by Tuesday may be I'll call them. By the way, have you updated the firmware? May be I'll up the firmware again and play only standard res tracks for awhile as it kind of more natural with better refine details compare to the old firmware. |
Yes, I have installed the firmware. Btw, what is the set up you are using for 96/24 and above? |
Bar81,
I have a modified mac mini (linear power supply, ssd internal HD, 1 TB USB external HD), wireworld supernova 6 toslink to xds1. It sounds pretty close to xds1 internal transport but I think the internal transport has more open & more air in the upper end. What is your music player and how do you compare it with the internal transport? |
Teenill,
I have yet to set up a server or any other kind of digital music delivery device as currently there simply isn't really any hi resolution digital I'm interested in. Hopefully, the selection will improve sooner rather than later and I can justify such a unit (I have the AES/EBU cable just waiting to be used).
Currently, I have my Blu-Ray player feeding PCM 2-channel via coax into the AES/EBU input (almost all Blu-Rays don't have soundtracks beyond 48 khz and 16 or 24 bit depth which is why I haven't tried anything higher).
The wireworld glass toslink is good stuff. I'm using a 5+ for the rest of my entertainment system into the Toslink of my XDS1.
I want you to try something if you can; check your pm. |
My new EMM Labs XDS1 will arrive in a weeks time, I am really looking forward to having the XDS1 for my reference digital playback. |
I am looking at 3 DACs -- AMR DP-77, PD MPD-3 and APL DAC-S. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. |
