Playback Designs

I have a MPS-5 which I purchased after comparing to the dcs Puccini and U clock. The Playback sounds less digital to me, I have a high end vinyl rig and the
MPS can sound surprisingly similar, depending on the recording. It sounds anything but lean. The Puccini did not manage this as well in my system.
I also had an extensive demo of the 3 box Paganini and preferred the Playback, a fuller, richer sound with better bass to my ears.
I use the MPS mostly for CD as I do not have many SACDs. Myself and a friend have compared the sound of the CD layer with the SACD layer on a few discs and find it hard to hear the difference.
I use the Audio Desk Systeme to treat my CDs, http://www.audiodesksysteme.de and demagnetise them on an old bulk tape eraser. This improves the sound quality further, tighter focus, better image and gets rid of the last bit of grain.
On Doddiehoser's suggestion I have ordered an USB-x box to play high-res files so am awaiting this item to assess it's influence on replay.
Dont know what the new 5 series firmware will do.
I use a BAT 52se pre amp which seems to suit the Playback really well.

Hi Dctom

I didn't have a chance to do an A:B immediately before and after the upgrade but I thought there was an improvement in separation/layers and depth on the same CD I was playing a day before the upgrade.

I emailed Jon and am copying the reply here:
This is a sonic improvement in clarity, lower noise floor and a greater sense of space.

Thanks for the info Doggiehowser

I concur that the firmware update make the playback even more musical and even more analog sounding

024 update does make the MPS-5 more musical , bass more defined and overall makes the MPS-5 quite different sounding from what I first heard it (after run in) . I was updating from 020 (factory out) directly to 024 so the difference in sound is very obvious to me .

I have Mod Sony 5400 - unless the Mod 95 is a lot better than Mod 5400 , I see no way any Mod players EVEN closed to MPS-5 .