Playback Designs MPD-8

[F208Frank]

Anyone in here use their mps-x as a streamer into the their mpd8 dac without an external server/streamer?

The software/player on the mconnect is a little annoying to use and the SQ imo is worse than using external server/streamer so just wanting to compare notes.

I use the mpsx for the sole sake of being able to connect to the mpd8 with its proprietary connection plink similar to how one would buy the

usb-x4 used for the same exact reason. (Changing usb connection to PLINK)

I messaged Andreas Koch and he mentioned that when using the mpsx this way (not using the mpsx as streamer but just to use PLINK) due to it having its own power supply, it yields better results than the usb-x4.

Opinions/experiences appreciated and welcomed.

Based on my experiences I would rank the tier list in this order.

1. Mid to higher end external server/streamer into mpsx into mpd8 via (PLINK)

2. Higher end external server/streamer into usb-x4 into mpd8 via (PLINK)

3. Higher end external server/streamer straight into mpd8 (no PLINK)

4. Mps-x as streamer into mpd8 via (PLINK)

Though the PLINK is a great marriage between the mpsx and the mpd8 dac, the quality of the external server/streamer brings quite a difference from what I hear.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Anyone in here use their mps-x as a streamer into the their mpd8 dac without an external server/streamer?

The software/player on the mconnect is a little annoying to use and the SQ imo is worse than using external server/streamer so just wanting to compare notes.

I would strongly suggest to try and use Jplay (UPnP) which will give you a much improved user experience.

JPLAY – the new reference hi-fi app.

jplay.app

/ Marcus

 

[F208Frank]

I would strongly suggest to try and use Jplay (UPnP) which will give you a much improved user experience.

JPLAY – the new reference hi-fi app.

jplay.app

/ Marcus

Do you stream with the mpsx?

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Do you stream with the mpsx?

Yes, exactly. Jriver is much superior to Mconnect.

/ Mconnect

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Do you stream with the mpsx?

We mainly use the MPS-X with the MPD-8 over Plink, yes. That being said, there are several other options to choose from of course depending on budget and ambition where we do also carry Aurender, InnuOS, Lumin and more.

 

[F208Frank]

We mainly use the MPS-X with the MPD-8 over Plink, yes. That being said, there are several other options to choose from of course depending on budget and ambition where we do also carry Aurender, InnuOS, Lumin and more.

Do you personally find that external servers in the mid to higher end still perform better than the mpsx when using mpsx as a stand alone streamer?

So far my quick impressions are that the mpsx is best used as a Plink connection similar to how one would use the usb-x4.

Thanks for the reccomendation regarding Jplay, good to know.

Edit: Jplay interface looks amazing and sounds quite a bit better than Mconnect. Good stuff.

 

[longinc]

Anyone in here use their mps-x as a streamer into the their mpd8 dac without an external server/streamer?

The software/player on the mconnect is a little annoying to use and the SQ imo is worse than using external server/streamer so just wanting to compare notes.

I use the mpsx for the sole sake of being able to connect to the mpd8 with its proprietary connection plink similar to how one would buy the

usb-x4 used for the same exact reason. (Changing usb connection to PLINK)

I messaged Andreas Koch and he mentioned that when using the mpsx this way (not using the mpsx as streamer but just to use PLINK) due to it having its own power supply, it yields better results than the usb-x4.

Opinions/experiences appreciated and welcomed.

Based on my experiences I would rank the tier list in this order.

1. Mid to higher end external server/streamer into mpsx into mpd8 via (PLINK)

2. Higher end external server/streamer into usb-x4 into mpd8 via (PLINK)

3. Higher end external server/streamer straight into mpd8 (no PLINK)

4. Mps-x as streamer into mpd8 via (PLINK)

Though the PLINK is a great marriage between the mpsx and the mpd8 dac, the quality of the external server/streamer brings quite a difference from what I hear.

HI @F208Frank , I have the MPD8 and MPT8 (with the streamer option installed). One thing to clarify is when you are doing the comparisons, are you specifically comparing the MPS-x (streaming directly off the internet) with your external streamer (streaming directly off the internet and not using it as a server playing a music file stored locally on the server). I have (in my situation) consistently found that streaming off the internet performs "worse" than playing off a locally stored file on the server's storage drive. I think you have to invest in the treatments needed upstream in your networking gear to get close to the performance of playing off a locally stored file on the server. Once you've compared them (in a sense) apples-to-apples using the same music pieces playing off the same internet music service, then comparing mconnect vs jplay would be a good next step. Additionally, consider using the MPS-x as a server (i believe you have the option to attach an external drive via the streamer usb input - and according to Andreas, get a drive that is externally powered as that sounds better than a drive that is powered via the usb bus).

But with all that said, i really think Andreas intended the MPX-s and MPT8 to act more like digital hubs (isolation points) for your other digital sources (in some ways similar to the MSB digital director) that will improve the SQ of your other high end streamers/servers by providing that point of isolation and the additional buffering and re-clocking. His x2 streamer that is in the MPS-x and MPT8 is likely not in the same league as a standalone high end server/streamer. So not entirely surprised by what you are experiencing.

 

[chuck]

I have the MPT-8 with the Streamer-X option and have used it connected by P-link to the MPD-8 and it of course sounds very good. I don't use it very often as I have a Baetis Reference 4 streamer/server that sounds better and is a lot more versatile. The Baetis is connected to the MPT-8 by USB which of course converts the Baetis digital signal to DSD and sends to the MPD-8 by P-link. This option sounds noticeably better to me than the Streamer-X. The Baetis is also connected by HDMI to my Marantz AV10 so I can display the graphics from Roon on screen and can also play multichannel music -- the Baetis supports multichannel streaming which the Streamer-X does not.

 

[Rumpole]

I have the MPS-X and MPS-8, and I tried streaming Qobuz with both mconnect and JPLAY, but neither one worked. I had frequent problems with stuttering while playing a song, and with it abruptly cutting off in the middle of a song. I'm guessing the problem was that mconnect and JPLAY had poor buffering, and the MPS-X did not seem to have enough additional buffering to make it work.

After getting a Roon server (Grimm MU2) it works perfectly. The MU2 and MPS-X are both connected by Cat6 cables to my router. The MU2 has a good buffer and will continue playing music through the MPS-X/MPS-8 for 5 to 10 minutes after I lose my internet connection.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I have the MPS-X and MPS-8, and I tried streaming Qobuz with both mconnect and JPLAY, but neither one worked. I had frequent problems with stuttering while playing a song, and with it abruptly cutting off in the middle of a song. I'm guessing the problem was that mconnect and JPLAY had poor buffering, and the MPS-X did not seem to have enough additional buffering to make it work.

After getting a Roon server (Grimm MU2) it works perfectly. The MU2 and MPS-X are both connected by Cat6 cables to my router. The MU2 has a good buffer and will continue playing music through the MPS-X/MPS-8 for 5 to 10 minutes after I lose my internet connection.

Roon is indeed another great option but does require a bit more in terms of setup and investment.

Are you using the Grimm MU2 as a Roon server only (?).

 

[Rumpole]

Roon is indeed another great option but does require a bit more in terms of setup and investment.

Are you using the Grimm MU2 as a Roon server only (?).

I'm using the MU2 in a second system, and then also using as the a Roon server for another system.

 

[F208Frank]

HI @F208Frank , I have the MPD8 and MPT8 (with the streamer option installed). One thing to clarify is when you are doing the comparisons, are you specifically comparing the MPS-x (streaming directly off the internet) with your external streamer (streaming directly off the internet and not using it as a server playing a music file stored locally on the server). I have (in my situation) consistently found that streaming off the internet performs "worse" than playing off a locally stored file on the server's storage drive. I think you have to invest in the treatments needed upstream in your networking gear to get close to the performance of playing off a locally stored file on the server. Once you've compared them (in a sense) apples-to-apples using the same music pieces playing off the same internet music service, then comparing mconnect vs jplay would be a good next step. Additionally, consider using the MPS-x as a server (i believe you have the option to attach an external drive via the streamer usb input - and according to Andreas, get a drive that is externally powered as that sounds better than a drive that is powered via the usb bus).

But with all that said, i really think Andreas intended the MPX-s and MPT8 to act more like digital hubs (isolation points) for your other digital sources (in some ways similar to the MSB digital director) that will improve the SQ of your other high end streamers/servers by providing that point of isolation and the additional buffering and re-clocking. His x2 streamer that is in the MPS-x and MPT8 is likely not in the same league as a standalone high end server/streamer. So not entirely surprised by what you are experiencing.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply and yes I am comparing apples to apples by not streaming off same internet services.

I will continue to use the mpsx as an isolation device just like you mentioned. I did not know that the device was primarily made for this use as I thought the streamer section of this device would be very competent (and it really is) but the external server/streamer even when used as streaming off internet only into the mpsx connected to mpd8 via playlink seems to be the best route to take if able.

Do you yourself use an external streamer outside the mpsx?

Lastly have you compared your mpd8 dac to msb dacs by any chance? Any impressions and opinions you can share?

One really cool thing about the mpd8 is that it claims it does not need external clocks.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

I'm using the MU2 in a second system, and then also using as the a Roon server for another system.

Got it. Makes sense

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Lastly have you compared your mpd8 dac to msb dacs by any chance? Any impressions and opinions you can share?

We did, several times. You have to aim for the Reference DAC (now discontinued) to rival it which was about double the price at the time.

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

Thanks for the thoughtful reply and yes I am comparing apples to apples by not streaming off same internet services.

I will continue to use the mpsx as an isolation device just like you mentioned. I did not know that the device was primarily made for this use as I thought the streamer section of this device would be very competent (and it really is) but the external server/streamer even when used as streaming off internet only into the mpsx connected to mpd8 via playlink seems to be the best route to take if able.

One really cool thing about the mpd8 is that it claims it does not need external clocks.

Which streamer do you use before the MPS-X which rivals using the MPS-X stand alone using Roon or Jplay etc?

if going this route, it would make more sense to use the Playback Designs USB-X4 interface (USB IN > PLINK OUT) to the MPD-8 and get the best streamer/server that you can get as an alternative to the MPS-X.

 

[matthias]

if going this route, it would make more sense to use the Playback Designs USB-X4 interface (USB IN > PLINK OUT) to the MPD-8 and get the best streamer/server that you can get as an alternative to the MPS-X.

What about using the Nagra streamer with a very good PS into the MPD-8 via Nagra link?
Thanks

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

What about using the Nagra streamer with a very good PS into the MPD-8?
Thanks

This could be a great "budget route" if not going all the way towards the MPS-X for sure. The fact that Andreas at Playback Designs has co-created the new Nagra streamer is somewhat convincing in itself.

This being said, the MPD-8 is a world class DAC which deserves the very best in terms of (streaming) partners to get it to perform at its fullest. This includes network optimization as well.

 

[matthias]

This could be a great "budget route" if not going all the way towards the MPS-X for sure. The fact that Andreas at Playback Designs has co-created the new Nagra streamer is somewhat convincing in itself.

This being said, the MPD-8 is a world class DAC which deserves the very best in terms of (streaming) partners to get it to perform at its fullest. This includes network optimization as well.

My impression from others who are using the Nagra streamer even in very expensive systems is that it doesn‘t seem to be a bottleneck or am I wrong?

 

[Perfect sense Audio]

My impression from others who are using the Nagra streamer even in very expensive systems is that it doesn‘t seem to be a bottleneck or am I wrong?

It all depends on the level of the system and the implementation.

 

[matthias]

It all depends on the level of the system and the implementation.

Which streamer with USB output into the USB-X4 would you recommend clearly outperforming the Nagra?
Thank you