Playback Designs | the finest audio playback in the world
Life is about building bridges.
Bridges unite opposites
and make them one.
Playback Designs unites analog and digital audio
Playback Designs imagines, creates and manufactures the highest performance, highest resolution, jitter free digital playback systems available for the most discerning of listeners.
Each and every person involved with Playback Designs is first and foremost a lover of music. Without this appreciation no company involved in either high-end audio or the professional recording industry can truly measure how good the products are that they are bringing to market.
Sure, we measure each and every unit that we ship, but the most important step is the final listening session that occurs just prior to packaging the unit for shipment. We believe that Playback Designs’ systems represent the finest audio playback in the world for the finest listening system in the world… your ears!
Playback Designs unites Swiss-German engineering with American entrepreneurship
Products Dream Series
We build dreams, where others barely dare to dream
MPD-8 Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter
DAC with integrated volume control
Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
USB I/O, AES, Coax, TosLink, PLink I/O
Balanced and unbalanced analog outputs
digitally driven, analog volume control
double Differential discrete DAC
double Differential ultra high end analog stages per channel
three regulated analog power supplies with three transformers
Software upgradeable by end user
Recording software for file creation on computer
Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
Dream Transport
MPT-8 Playback Designs Transport
Integrated Transport, Music Server
Connects directly to MPD-8 (or any other Playback Designs DAC) via PLink
Connects to any other DAC via AES
Special designed high end SACD/CD transport
optional built-in Syrah server with 2TB SSD storage
Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
Products Sonoma Series
Audio-Magic Wine-Tasting Musical Mystery Adventure
Merlot DAC
Playback Designs Digital Analog Converter
Integrated DAC / Headphone Amp
Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
USB, AES, Coax, PLink inputs
Headphone output with separate volume control
Balanced and unbalanced line level outputs
Differential discrete DAC (standard “Playback Designs” architecture)
Software upgradeable by end user
Recording software for file creation on computer
Syrah Server
Playback Designs Music Server
Integrated Music Server
Connects directly to Merlot (or any other Playback Designs DAC) via USB
Easy and intuitive remote control via iPad or Android
Plays any audio from internal, external or NAS storage
Internal 2TB HDD standard, optional SSD
Streaming via DLNA
Automatic ripping from external drive (included)
Automatic retrieval of cover art, meta data from data base
Playback Designs Analog Digital Converter
Integrated A/D Converter
Up to 384kHz PCM and up to 11.2MHz DSD
USB, AES, Coax, PLink outputs
BNC clock I/O
XLR inputs with adjustable gain
super low distortion
Software upgradeable by end user
Recording software for file creation on computer
Playback Designs D/D Converter
Modification Kit for Oppo Player
Adds PLink output to Oppo103 and Oppo203 Player for direct digital link to Merlot DAC
Captures all native audio data from any source supported by Oppo Player and sends it to Merlot for conversion to analog
Supports very long distances between Oppo Player and Merlot DAC
Galvanic separation between player and DAC
Very easy installation
Sonoma Recorder
The Sonoma Recorder is a free software application for the Windows platform that allows you to record natively any digital audio being generated by the Pinot A/D Converter or being played through the Merlot D/A Converter. It creates .wav (PCM), .dff (DSD) or .dsf (DSD) files that can then be played on the Playback Designs Syrah Server.
Windows Recording Software
Very easy installation
Up to DSD 4x recording
record to .dff a or .dsf files
Up to PCM 384kHz recording
Direct monitoring option through Pinot/Merlot
*Sonoma Recorder 1.3 requires USB Driver 2.0
Accessories
Extend your audio experience
Playback Designs Digital Interface
USB-XIII Interface
new generation USB interface for PCM up to 384kHz and DSD up to 4x
USB compatibility with newer versions of Apple OS
Multi channel support via USB and PLink input for PCM up to 384kHz and DSD 2x
PLink I/O compatible with Classic and Sonoma line products
Newest generation PDFAS clocking technology for ultra low jitter performance
Connection to 5-series products via optical PLink
Connection to 3-series products via AES with proprietary protocol to support higher DSD sample rates
USB connection supports recording via Sonoma Recorder software on Windows computer
Software can be updated by end user
Products Classic Series
IPS-3 Integrated
Playback Designs Integrated Playback System 3
Integrated DAC / Pre-amp / Amp
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA, PLink
Analog inputs: 2x unbalanced (RCA), 1x balanced (XLR)
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 4x
Support for DoP on all digital inputs
Native DSD converter, dual differential
130W per channel on 8Ω
MPS-5 Signature Limited Edition
Playback Designs Music Playback System 5
Hardware Upgrade Available
This hardware upgrade replaces most of the clock generator circuitry on the digital board of the MPS-5 and MPD-5 products with new technology that offers much improved clock jitter performance. When combined with a software upgrade to version 027 or newer it will offer dramatic improvements in sonic performance, sound stage accuracy, low and high frequency consistency.
Please inquire with your dealer for more details and how to get your product updated.
SACD/CD Player and D/A Converter with external USB interface
Available for China and Hong Kong markets only
Total of 15 units in black / gold color
upgraded clock generator for better jitter control and improved sonic performance
serial number and signature on top cover
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA, TosLink, PLink
Digital outputs: AES/EBU
Analog outputs: 1x balanced (XLR), 2x unbalanced (RCA and BNC)
SACD and CD disc playback
Support for DoP on all digital inputs and outputs
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 2x via external USB-X interface
fully discrete and dual differential converter
MPS-5 SACD
Playback Designs Music Playback System 5
Hardware Upgrade Available
This hardware upgrade replaces most of the clock generator circuitry on the digital board of the MPS-5 and MPD-5 products with new technology that offers much improved clock jitter performance. When combined with a software upgrade to version 027 or newer it will offer dramatic improvements in sonic performance, sound stage accuracy, low and high frequency consistency.
Please inquire with your dealer for more details and how to get your product updated.
SACD/CD Player and D/A Converter with external USB interface
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA, TosLink, PLink
Digital outputs: AES/EBU
Analog outputs: 1x balanced (XLR), 2x unbalanced (RCA and BNC)
SACD and CD disc playback
Support for DoP on all digital inputs and outputs
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 2x via external USB-X interface
fully discrete and dual differential converter
Playback Designs Music Playback Digital to Analog Converter 5
Hardware Upgrade Available
This hardware upgrade replaces most of the clock generator circuitry on the digital board of the MPS-5 and MPD-5 products with new technology that offers much improved clock jitter performance. When combined with a software upgrade to version 027 or newer it will offer dramatic improvements in sonic performance, sound stage accuracy, low and high frequency consistency.
Please inquire with your dealer for more details and how to get your product updated.
D/A Converter with external USB interface
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA, TosLink, PLink
Digital outputs: AES/EBU
Analog outputs: 1x balanced (XLR), 2x unbalanced (RCA and BNC)
Support for DoP on all digital inputs and outputs
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 2x via external USB-X interface
fully discrete and dual differential converter
MPS-3 CD Player
Playback Designs Music Playback System 3
CD Player and D/A Converter
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA
Analog outputs: 1x balanced (XLR), 1x unbalanced (RCA)
CD disc playback
Support for DoP on all digital inputs
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 2x
Native DSD converter, dual differential
Playback Designs Music Playback Digital to Analog Converter 3
D/A Converter
Digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, RCA
Analog outputs: 1x balanced (XLR), 1x unbalanced (RCA)
Support for DoP on all digital inputs
PCM input up to 384kHz, DSD up to 2x
Native DSD converter, dual differential
Hardware Upgrade
Hardware Upgrade for 5-Series Products
This hardware upgrade replaces most of the clock generator circuitry on the digital board of the MPS-5 and MPD-5 products with new technology that offers much improved clock jitter performance. When combined with a software upgrade to version 027 or newer it will offer dramatic improvements in sonic performance, sound stage accuracy, and bass and high frequency consistency.
Late production and all limited edition models have already been built with this new technology, but older production ones can now be upgraded to the same performance level. Please inquire with your dealer by providing the serial number of your 5-Series product to find out if it can be upgraded and for further details. The process involves soldering and replacement of electronic parts that only trained and authorized technicians or the factory can perform.
Technology & Design
The goal at Playback Designs was an easy one to set and incredibly difficult to achieve:
Most people consider digital playback to be sonically inferior to analog playback, whether tape or vinyl. We wanted to match or better the critical areas where we felt analog had superior advantages without losing the benefits of great digital playback.
Challenges
Most digital playback systems produce high frequencies that tend to sound processed or harsh. It is commonly referred to as “digititis” or “digital hash”. It is an unnatural sound that can cause listener fatigue and irritation during long listening sessions.
There tends to be a much more visceral experience when listening to analog. Listeners tend to be less analytical and just accept and enjoy the musical experience more so with tape or vinyl playback.
Sonically there is less immediacy that one tends to experience with analog playback.
System flexibility and upgradeability to prevent equipment obsolescence.
Programmable architecture: all PD products are designed to be upgradeable with new algorithms and technologies as they become available
Technological Firsts
We are proud to annnouce these technical breakthroughs first seen in our products:
December 2011: Haute Fidelite – France - Playback Designs MPS-3 (English Translation)
The CD Player At The Summit by Patrice Philippe
“When we received this CD player, we were seduced by its design, but could not have imagined the great joy that would come from listening to it.
This was all more surprising because we had not previously heard of Playback Designs. We therefore endeavored to learn about the team at Playback Designs and the company’s history.”
Playback Designs unites Sound and Design
Product Drivers
The USB audio interfaces for all Playback Designs products are compatible with MAC OS* and Linux without any additional driver software. For computers running on the Windows
operating system a driver software needs to be installed.
Which driver to choose?
Driver 1.1 is for Classic products only and allows:
- playback on Classic products up DSD 2x natively
Driver 2.0 is for all products (Classic and Sonoma) and allows:
- playback on Classic products up to DSD 2x in DoP format only
- playback on Sonoma products up to DSD 4x natively
- Roon compatible, supporting DSD up to DSD 4x
*Preliminary tests with the most recent release of Apple's El Capitan OS X release (version 10.11) have shown that our hardware in all Classic products is no longer properly recognized when the USB cable is connected. This was not a problem with any of Apple's older releases (Yosemite and older). This appears to be a problem with Apple's new USB driver which is built into the OS. We are working on a hardware upgrade kit to address this problem and are planning to launch this later in 2016. In the meantime we recommend to not update your Mac to El Capitan, or revert back to the previous release (Yosemite). All our products in the new Sonoma line are already fully compatible with El Capitan.
A correct driver installation and computer software setup can be tested by playing a special bit pattern through the USB input of all Playback Designs products. When your computer system is correctly set up the front panel will display "Bit Perfect" after completion of playback. See product manual for more details.
Please follow the above directions carefully and the update will be very easy. If you have any problems downloading please contact your dealer.
Below you will find files which include high resolution pictures of our products. If for some reason you are having problems downloading them, please send us an .
Test Tones
Use this test tones to level your Pinot ADC as described in the user manual.
User Manuals
Download the user manual for your product.
Sonoma Series
Accessories
Classic 5-series
Classic 3-Series
Playback Designs unites audiophiles with recording studios
2017 September, new Distributor for Germany
We happily like to introduce and welcome
as our new distributor for Germany!
Daniel Gottschalk and Frank Pietersen will now take care of our valued dealers of the german market.
2017 August, firmware update for MPS-5 released
A new firmware file 01030 for the MPS-5 is available for download. It fixes a minor issue when using the USB-XIII.
2017 June, New USB driver and Sonoma Recorder software released
New USB driver (version 2.0) and Sonoma Recorder software (version 1.3) released. Both are now compatible with Roon and support native playback of DSD up to quad DSD. Version 1.3 of the Sonoma Recorder software now offers a choice in file formats for DSD recordings: dsf or dff file format. The new USB driver 2.0 is required for Sonoma Recorder 1.3
2017 Mai, Meet us at High End in Munich
Playback Designs is showing the new dream series products in Munich from 18th to 21st of Mai.
Meet us in Hall 3, booth J12 and dare to dream.
New Dream Series Product announcement
Playback Designs has announced their new Dream Series Audio DAC and Transport - SACD/CD/Server system incorporating the latest Ultra High Performance technology. Early prototypes will be shown at the Axpona show in Chicago and the High End show in Munich.
OpBox Modification now available for Oppo203 Player
This hardware modification kit is now compatible with all Oppo103 and Oppo203 players and adds an optical interface for direct connection to any Playback Designs DAC for native playback of any format played on Oppo player. When ordering please specify the type of player (103 or 203).
5-Series Hardware Upgrade Available
This hardware upgrade replaces most of the clock generator circuitry on the digital board of the MPS-5 and MPD-5 products with new technology that offers much improved clock jitter performance. When combined with a software upgrade to version 027 or newer it will offer dramatic improvements in sonic performance, sound stage accuracy, low and high frequency consistency.
Please inquire with your dealer for more details and how to get your product updated.
2017 Jan, SonomaAudioRecorder v1.2.0 released
The version 1.2.0 of the Sonoma Recorder software is released. It fixes bugs and has some enhancements. Click
2016 Oktober, USB-XIII released
New USB-XIII interface released. Click .
2016 Oktober, New software version 29 released
New software version 29 released for 5-series to support USB-XIII interface. Click .
2016 September, Sonoma Recorder 1.1.3 released
The version 1.1.3 of the Sonoma Recorder software is released. It fixes a bug, some third party software (AudioGate, Pyramix) could not play the generated .dff files.
2016 August, Sonoma Pinot ADC released
Playback Design announces the production release of their new Pinot A/D converter as part of their SONOMA series system incorporating the latest QUAD-DSD FPGA technology.This ground-up new ADC product brings the performance and emotion of the finest analog recordings to the digital home and professional music playback system. Tests with critical listeners revealed that the Pinot ADC is so transparent that it could not reliably be distinguished from the analog source.
2016 June, upgrade kit coming soon
Following our tradition to always support our loyal customers with their existing Playback Designs products we are preparing an upgrade kit for all 5- and 3-series players and DACs. This will add the capability to play quad DSD files which can be generated and recorded with our new and upcoming "Pinot" A/D converter, and also address the issue with Apple's USB driver. The upgrade kit will be available later in 2016.
2016 Mai, Meet us at High End in Munich
Playback Designs is showing the new sonoma line products in Munich from 5th to 8th of Mai.
Meet us in Hall 3, booth J06 and be part of the Audio-Magic Wine-Tasting Musical Mystery Adventure
2015 December, News from the AV show in Guangzhou
High End Audio coming with Home made Fine Wine - the latest news from the AV show in Guangzhou
(in Chinese)
2015 November, Sneak Preview 2016
Sneak Preview 2016: Audio-Magic Wine-Tasting Musical Mystery Adventure
Get inspired ...
2015 Oktober, Issue with Apple's "El Capitan"
Preliminary tests with the most recent release of Apple's El Capitan OS X release (version 10.11) have shown that our hardware in all Classic products is no longer properly recognized when the USB cable is connected. This was not a problem with any of Apple's older releases (Yosemite and older). This appears to be a problem with Apple's new USB driver which is built into the OS. We are working on a hardware upgrade kit to address this problem and are planning to launch this later in 2016. In the meantime we recommend to not update your Mac to El Capitan, or revert back to the previous release (Yosemite). All our products in the new Sonoma line are already fully compatible with El Capitan.
2015 New Homepage online
We are proud do present our new homepage!
Beside the all new design it is now easier for you to get product related downloads.
2015 Munich – May 14–17
Come see us this year in Munich, Germany on May 14-17 for the High-End Show at Stand F01 in Halle 3.
Our integrated DAC, pre-amplifier and amplifier will be the center piece in a special demo for DSD multi channel in room K1B.
Recordings from Pentatone, Channel Classics, Opus3 and many others that
have never been published before will be presented by their recording
artists. Don&t miss this unique opportunity.
Seating is limited and we anticipate only few empty seats. Come early to get your special invitation card.
2015 Axpona – April 24-26
Come see us this year in Chicago on April 24-26 for Axpona (Audio Expo North America) in Room 402 at the Westin O&Hare hotel.
will be showing our integrated amplifier, pre-amplifier and DAC, the
IPS-3 (Integrated Playback System 3) in the Source System room along
with Lumin, Aria , Apertura among others.
New Playback Designs MPS-5 and MPD-5 Software Update – #27
Attention All MPS-5 SACD / CD Player Owners
posted a new version of our firmware. Please update your MPS-5 by
downloading the newest firmware from our &Support& page.
This update is for bug fixes.
Acoustic Sounds
Today, Acoustic Sounds launched its new high resolution download service
with a selection of mainstream audiophile music using the most advanced
audio technology available… DSD. It&s the same digital technology used
to produce SACDs and it most closely replicates the analog experience. As Acoustic Sounds says, &They&re audio files for audiophiles.&
The floodgates are opening and if you have not setup your system for
playing DSD files, now is the time to do so. Contact your dealer to help
you get up and running. It is easier than you think and now that the
mainstream music is become more available, you have no excuse!
Playback Designs LLC
Alamo, CA 94507, USA
Voice: +1 925 820 4780
Where to buy
Comercio de Audio e Video LTDA – Logical Design
Av Pasteur 333 Port?o 06 loja 11
Urca - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: 55 21
Fax: 55 21
The Audiophile Zone
Attn: Gary Katayama
6519 Vista del Mar
Playa del Rey, CA 90293
Tel: (310) 827-0359
Elite Audio Systems
Attn: Michael Woods
893A Folsom Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Tel: (415) 795-1149
Lone Mountain Audio
7340 Smoke Ranch Road, Suite A
Las Vegas, NV., 89128
Tel: (702) 307-2727
Paragon Sight & Sound
Attn: Larry Marcus
3780 Jackson Rd. #H
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Tel: (734) 662-3595
Quintessence Audio
Attn: Mick Survance
5701 W. Dempster
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Tel: (847) 966-4434
Sound Environment
Attn: Charlie Santmire
11021-Elm St.
Omaha, NE 68144
Tel: (402) 391-3842
Weinhart Design
2337 Roscomare Road
Los Angeles, CA 90077
Tel: (310) 472-8880
Sound Concepts, Ltd.
Room 704, Yee Yuk Industrial Centre
555, Yee Yuk Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Sound Concepts, Ltd.
Room 704, Yee Yuk Industrial Centre
555, Yee Yuk Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Phantom Audio
Tangerang City
Tel: +62 812
Maestro Audio
42 Golomb Street
Givatayim 53464, Israel
Tel: +972 54 3160030
NASPEC Corporation
1-4-5 Yabutanishi, Gifu,
Gifu, 500-8386, Japan
Tel: +81 582 15 75 10
Fax: +81 582 68 71 18
Damino Co., Ltd.
Attn: Damino Lee
15-12 Sungwoo Bldg. 6FL
Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, 150-872, Republic of Korea
Tel: +82 2 719 0290
Clarity MP Sdn Bhd
Blk C-41-G, JAYA ONE,
72A Jalan Universiti
46200 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Clarity AV Pte Ltd
No. 1 Coleman Street
#03-36 The Adelphi,
Singapore 179803
Top Audio, Inc.
2F, No.132, Xingshan Rd., Neihu District
10557 Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Tel: 886-2-
Fax: 886-2-
Audio Com, Ltd.
729 / 40 Rama 3 Road
Yannawa, Bangkok, 10120 Thailand
Tel: (662) 255-7983
Fax: (662) 295-4771
B1-12AS, 171 Dong Khoi, District 1,
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Durob Audio BV
Floor van den Dungen, Asserlaan 4
5251 XJ Vlijmen, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 73 511 25 55
Fax: +31 84 220 76 47
Aphrodite&s Vision
Sokratous 2
GR 152 32, Xalandri, Athens, Greece
Perfect sense
Showroom in Stockholm
Aphrodite&s Melody
16 bd St Germain
75005 Paris, France
Gottschalk & Pietersen GmbH
Gervinusstr. 21
10629 Berlin
Tel: +49 30
Aphrodite&s Vision
Sokratous 2
GR 152 32, Xalandri, Athens, Greece
Audio Video Stream Kft.
Koszoru u 72
3300 Eger, Hungary
Strada Della Fontane, 9
10082 Cuorgne& (To), Italy
Tel / Fax:
Cell: 334 9347715
Luxembourg
Durob Audio BV
Floor van den Dungen, Asserlaan 4
5251 XJ Vlijmen, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 73 511 25 55
Fax: +31 84 220 76 47
Netherlands
Durob Audio BV
Floor van den Dungen, Asserlaan 4
5251 XJ Vlijmen, The Netherlands
Tel: +31 73 511 25 55
Fax: +31 84 220 76 47
Perfect sense
Showroom in Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 518 368 00
Ultimate Audio
Rua da Casquilha, No 2A,
Lisboa, Portugal
Tel: +35 19 14 92 83 04
Foster Group
Akademika Bochvara 15
Moscow, Russia
Tel: +495 921 47 47
Cosmos Hi-Fi
Cliff Orman
Tel: +34 926 215 228
Perfect sense
Showroom in Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 518 368 00
Timpani Audio and Video
Ressam Hikmet Onat, Sok.9 Istinye 34460
Istanbul, Turkey
PUREMUSICGROUP
32/461 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004, Australia
Tel: +61 409 504 805
New Zealand
PUREMUSICGROUP
32/461 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne 3004, Australia
Tel: +61 409 504 805
(C) Playback designs. 2015 All Rights Reserved.
Playback Designs LLC
Andreas Koch
3126 Lunada Lane
Alamo, CA 94507, USA
Phone +1 925 820 4780
Responsible for the content: Andreas Koch
Copyright – pictures
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