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Playback Edelweiss in the house

So, after a long wait my Playback Edelweiss MPS-6 just arrived.  This unit is the DAC and SACD Player in one and I have had the Stream X added.  It is not Roon Ready at this time but the streaming function via MConnect Controller worked just fine.  

Build quality is obviously brilliant.  Nice chassis with simple, understated displays.  SACD controls are on the remote and the top edge of the DAC.  The remote is metal and well constructed.  

They say that it will take 500 hours to break-in.  Out of the box, this is clearly an elite DAC with what feels like unprecedented levels of detail in my system.  I am connected via Digital Coax from my Nucleus+ through a Chord 2Go/2Yu (K50 is on loan).  

The plan over the next 4 weeks is to keep it running most of the time and do a variety of tests once fully broken in and a few tests on the way.

One will be the standard five songs from the DAC Shootout connected via USB but I will also plan to put it through its paces as an SACD Player, Streamer and DAC with the K50 as the source.  

With less than an hour on it, all I can say is HOLY CRAP this thing sounds good.  

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verdantaudio OP
1,463 posts
 

@kren0006 the PBD is extremely competitive with the Rockna Wavedream Signature and Aries Cerat Helene.  It is a matter of taste which is superior.  The Playback is very analog sounding and incredibly musical will great detail and scale.  The Rockna is amazing detailed, has incredible scale and texture to the sound.  The Aries Cerat is big and dynamic and sort of fall/ between the other two. All three are awesome in their own ways.  
 

I would want to know your musical taste and balance of your system to confirm which is right but all three are brilliant.  For example, if you like DSD, PBD is a no-brained and Aries Cerat is not an option.  

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio OP
1,463 posts
 

I have heard anything but in the same token, I have not asked.  I will ask.  

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio OP
1,463 posts
 

@kren0006 i heard back from Andreas and the answer is no.  For a myriad of reasons he is choosing not.  Since nothing is natively produced at that level it would be an extra processing step which would definitely not add a sonic benefit. Andreas is committed to making sure he is delivering the best imaginable sound via the hardware choices he has made.  

kren0006
1,859 posts
 

Thank you. That makes sense to me

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,055 posts
 

@verdantaudio 

I believe you’re a dealer for Playback Designs…I may be interested in demoing the MPS-X. But I couldn’t tell if MPS-X uses Roon or has proprietary app to stream music from Qobuz or Tidal natively….what is your understanding? And most importantly have you heard it and what are your listening impressions of MPS-X. 

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