Okay......best single box reference CD player

In answer to your original question-The Playback Designs MPS 5 is the best single box reference CD player I've heard, by a HUGE margin. I've owned every iteration of the EMM Labs units- starting with the Modded Philips drive & DAC 6 up through the CDSA SE. I've owned the Playback Designs for several weeks now and it is literally transcendental. I don't mean to gush, but this digital is that good. I'm starting to question the superiority of vinyl playback. Is it possible that dragging a needle through a groove is, in fact, primitive after all?

Andreas did great work at EMM Labs, but he has truly come into his own with this player.

Fbhifi said:

"...this digital is that good. I'm starting to question the superiority of vinyl playback. Is it possible that dragging a needle through a groove is, in fact, primitive after all?"

I've been having the very same thoughts lately.

Dave

Fbhifi,

Can you please let us know what components you are using in your system. Thanks.

Wow. How does the Playback Designs accomplish what apparently other players cannot? What is the difference or new innovation in a technical sense? The designer must be doing something special or unique?

My System: EMT 928 (Re-plinthed), Dynavector 507 Mk.2, Dynavector DRT-XV1-S; Playback Designs MPS 5; DartZeel amp and pre-amp; Evolution Acoustics MM3.

I'm achieving a synergy with the above components that I've never had before.