Playback Designs MPS-5 related question....

Unless you can truly afford to take the loss and go (WAY, you forgot to add) over budget, accept that you'll be envious for a while, keep the Bryston and wait for a Playback Designs to show up on the used market at a decent price. Remember, there's always something "better" showing up these days in the digital arena, and I'm sure Playback Designs is not completely resting on its laurels and is probably cooking up a Mark II or something like that; maybe that's the one to wait for?

Of course, I should talk! I was in your position in the past (early 1990s) with my preamp, and stretched to get my dream Jadis JP80MC, which I happily held on to for over 13 years. However, in that case it was pretty clear that preamplifier technology wasn't changing as quickly as digital technology is, and that the Jadis was not about to be made obsolete or dated any time soon (hey, it was already based on an old design itself). So I don't know if stretching at this point is worth it in the digital arena.

Of course, all of this is out the window if you really do have money to burn!

Did you audition the MPS-5 yet? If not, then it's only better in your head for now.

FYI, the Music Playback DAC is software upgradeable, sooo the mkII line of thinking doesn't really apply. You simply download the latest algorithms and wah-lah :)

" Music Playback DAC is software upgradeable, sooo the mkII line of thinking doesn't really apply."

Yes and no. Time to time the company must change hardware and if I need to send my unit to them once per 3-4 years - its fine.

The problem is when they introduce "next generation" and your unit cannot be upgraded. I wonder yout thought on the sugject with this company (Tinn etc) ?

Thanks
Rafael

The problem is when they introduce "next generation" and your unit cannot be upgraded. I wonder yout thought on the sugject with this company (Tinn etc) ?

I guess I don't get your line of thought. So you are saying that it is a problem because in 1- 2 years there may be a hardware upgrade and you don't want to send it in? Sorry, but this line of thought would have precluded me from buying my iPhone, my computer the navigation system being installed in my car...just about ANY Audio Research Corp piece of gear (which actually it did preclude me from buying LOL :).

I mean its tech and tech changes, but I seriously doubt that there will be any major hardware changes in the next yer or 2.., I mean most people have barely figured out how to get 24/96 out of there computer...

If when they produce "next generation" as you put it, do what most people do (if you have to have the "next generation") sell the current gen and buy the new gen.

I have had minimal contact with JTinn but I have always found him to be honest and forthright and even when I mentioned competing products such as the AMR gear he has never had a bad or negative thing to say. That is more than I can say for some of the clowns I have had contact me trying to sell me modified Blu Ray players (for ridiculous prices) without disclosing their identities...you know who you are.