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Playback Designs MPS-5 - Measerments v. Sound

For all who are curios to read Michael Fremer`s comment
on one of the most controversial reviews in Stereophile (Feb 2010) concerning PD MPS-5 cd player, in which the ultimate question rises again - Can we actually measure perceived sound ?

"Thanks for writing. I would appreciate it if you'd post my response on Audiogon.

It's interesting that you say "it's time to rethink measurement methods" because John Atkinson just took the player back with him to perform some new ones on that player.

It's important to understand that the designer of that player has been at the forefront of DSD technology almost from its inception. Read the bio notes on the Playback website and/or in my review (which was written of course before I had any idea how the player would measure).

Andreas Koch knows what he is doing! That player's measurements are not the result of a botched effort or because he is unable to design a player that will measure as "perfectly" as is expected in conventional terms. Just as it's fairly easy these days to design a speaker that measures "flat" on-axis. But that is hardly the end all and be all of good speaker design!

Atkinson recently met up with Mr. Koch at an event and they had a long discussion about the measurements and that is why JA is revisiting them. The players measures as it does purposely according to Mr. Koch.

Believe me about one thing: you will not hear "noise" as such from that player!

You also understand that there are anti-SACD advocates out there who claim that SACD is not a high fidelity medium! Those include Dr. Stanley Lipschitz, in who I distrust all the time, but he's got the measurements to "prove" his case.

I can "prove" to you that LP playback measures way worse than CD playback but the listening is what counts to me. We don't measure everything. Our brains are far more sensitive than any measurement yet devised. Yes, we also can be fooled but we are also excellent receptors.

JA admitted to me that he's not quite sure what Mr. Koch was getting at in their discussion but that he's open to learning and understanding. JA understands that Mr. Koch is well aware of what he's doing in that design and perhaps one day we'll all understand what he's doing and why what he's done makes that player sound so good.

I suggest you listen to it. Or measure it. If you measure it you may reject it, but if you listen, you might find it's the player you want to own....

-Michael "
papaya
kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,428 posts
 
Michael - Certain measurement such as noise or jitter are important but spects might be useless. I would not buy , for instance, an amp on specifications alone and would tend to pick for audition one that has poor measurements.

SACD - is one bit PWM scheme similar to class D amps. It is pretty much output of Sigma-Delta converter before filtering. It is used in recording studios in 4-bit wide format known as DSD. Resolution of SACD is equivalent to 20 bit/96kHz. It provides dynamic range of 120dB and frequency range of 100kHz (often CDP limited to 50kHz) - I would say that it is high quality media.
guidocorona
4,298 posts
 
I had the opportunity of listening at some length to a very well broken in MPS-5 2 years ago in Denver on a few different systems. The player belongs to DCSTEP. The device is in fact remarkable for its resolution and musicality. The only situation where I heard MPS-5 at a slight disadvantage was when it was matched against an Esoteric P-03/D-03/G-03 stack. Yet, in this particular case, some imperfect cabling matches rendered the comparison of the 2 front end systems of doubtful value. Mayhaps sometimes I'll be able to listen to an MPS-5 in my own system. G.
blindjim
3,092 posts
 


I’ve never understood those who stand by specs and data sheets devoutly, with due condsideration to amp & speaker matching of course, over the info their own eyes and ears provide them. To each their own I suppose.

As substantive as may be the info gleaned from critical measurements can imply or even dictate now and then, the only capacities which peak my own interest are size, weight, color choices, and cost, predominately, with the possible exception of a troublesome impeadance load a loud speaker set may abide.

Certainly for a source item, it’s representation of the recording is paramount.

Doubtless no one will buy an item which reads great but performs poorly…. Or at any length they won’t own it for long. Remarkable specs are fodder for forums and the occasional chest beating.

My hat is off to those pieces which yield excellent specs…. But my wallet is out to those who offer greater performance. The only pair of items which will draw the wallet out quicker would be those which possessed both great performance and great value…. And naturally, the fact I’m in the market for such a thing.
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