Playback mpd3

Sabai, I do not know Mr. Tinn nor do I have any affiliation other than as a customer of Playback Designs. I am aware of the lawsuit between Tinn and EMM from a number of years ago. For you to bring that up in this thread is patently unfair and has no relevance whatsoever in attempting to answer the original posters noise query. But since you brought it up, it is important to note that the matter was NOT resolved in EMM's favor. Each party to the lawsuit was granted relief....in other words, a functional tie.

Apparently, Tinn was distributing EMM in the US and was doing so on a handshake agreement. Koch left EMM to start Playback Designs and Tinn would be joining forces with Koch in the future. Evidently, EMM got mad and refused to pay Tinn, past, present or future. Some motions were granted in Tinn's favor, some in EMM's favor. If you hadn't recommended and AMR player (unsolicited I might add) I would think you to be an EMM fanboi!

Anyway back to the topic at hand, I do not believe that one can make a judgement on the noise/or lack thereof of a component given the above data in this thread. The MPD3 is a line level component NOT intended to be connected amp direct. To use the volume from your computer is the least effective qualitative means for volume control. Other dacs that have been metioned had on board volume controls. Did you test their noise level with their on board volumes set to maximum? Are you sure impedences were matched?

Not slamming anyone here but again, too many variables to make a judgement. Regards.

Add another disappointed PD customer. Used to own the MPS5 and transport was noisy as hell.

To their credit, they did inspect it by an engineer in Germany (twice with no resolution), but for me the MPS5 was a failed design: the outer casing is way too thin and flaky for it to manage the heavy and noisy Esoteric transport. Unless you put it away in an airtight closet or 20m away from your listening position, it will drive anyone nuts.

Had a K01 and noisy transport was much better isolated and i couldnt complain.

AMR service is stellar and their machines are one of the best build in the business. Sound is also impressive, though no DSD support for the moment.

Ghasley,
With all due respect, I believe most of what came out of the case was in favor of EMM. Please note that I stated "I was not impressed by what I read about Jonathan Tinn." If you read the court documents you may understand why. I believe this is relevant here because it speaks to character and may help us to understand the broader context regarding poor customer service at Playback Designs.

Actually, Jonathan was always very responsive on emails.

It was the support email that I usually got no response from but that was because I didn't furnish my invoice when I registered.

Hopefully that's sorted now.

I have the EMM Labs XDS1 and the Playback MPS5 and I'd say neither were particularly noisy. I've had both in the same room. In fact the MPS5 (now in my study) is barely 3 feet away from me and spinning away without calling attention to itself. I think my CD Pro2 based Ayon sounds noisier.

I do agree the top of the line Esoteric transports used in the K01 (and I think the newest multi box dCS) are a marvel but there's something right about Playback and EMM's DSD DAC implementation that I like and the previous implementations on Esoteric's Cirrus and other off the shelf DAC chips just didn't gel with me. I think the K01's AKM DAC seems to be much better but I can't bring myself to buy a 25k player that uses off the shelf DAC chip.