Playback Designs MPD-6
Review Context
The MPD-6 was listened to in the main system that consists of the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, CH Precision L1 preamplifier, CH Precision A1.5 power amp, and Magico S1 MkII speakers. Digital sources include the Grimm MU1, Antipodes K50, and Taiko Audio Extreme music servers, and the Aqua LinQ network interface. Full disclosure: to avoid a conflict of interest as I also work for Taiko Audio, I will not be writing about the Extreme Music Server.
All interlinks are Driade Flow Link Reference 808, both balanced and unbalanced. The speaker cables are the Mad Scientist Black Magic.
The core components are placed on Artesania Exoteryc racks with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. The MU1, as well as most review components, are placed on Artesania Aire Floor Platforms (also with Carbon Fiber Linear arms) which are basically identical-sounding lower versions of the Exoteryc rack. On top of the floor platforms, I tend to use Artesania KSH2 Krion shelves so that review components can be used with their own feet, as well as a selection of after-market feet.
Listening
This particular MPD-6 had already seen plenty of use meaning that it should require very little time to come on steam. And indeed, after letting it acclimatize for 2 days from the cold outside before connecting it to power and switching it on, it sounded fantastic right away.
I started with the Grimm MU1 server as a source via a Jorma AES/EBU cable. While walking through the MPD-6’s available output level settings I found that the +3dB setting aligned it perfectly with the CH C1.2 DAC’s output, so I stuck with this. Note that different gain levels can result in a different sonic balance. I did not experiment with this on the MPD-6, but usually, the sound becomes more relaxed at lower levels and spicier at higher levels. This means there will be some room for subtly tweaking the MPD-6 either way.
With the MPD-6 used at a fixed output level and feeding the CH L1 analog preamp, the music is presented in a beautiful mix of effortless liquidity and truly excellent resolution, not bettered by any other DAC that I used, including the C1.2. There’s an utter lack of hardness or edge combined with great finesse and absence of veiling, and one could say it really is rather “analog” in the way that it allows the music to pour from the speakers in a totally unforced manner, while also craftily avoiding sounding laidback or slow. Well-behaved and non-fatiguing, yes, but not polite.
In addition to sounding delicate and free-flowing, the MPD-6’s beautifully-dosed tonal shading and delicate smoothness make it far from analytical, let alone clinical. Nevertheless, it is very fast and expressive and highly resolving. This is where it stands out from more traditional “strictly neutral” DACs such as the Denafrips Terminator Plus or the Aqua Formula xHD. But then, these DACs could rightfully be said to lean over to the slender and analytical side, the Denafrips certainly more so than the Aque. When also taking the CH C1.2 DAC into consideration, which I regard as extremely neutral after the C1 to C1.2 upgrade, I would say the MPD-6 is actually also very neutral, verging only very slightly on the sweet and relaxed side, although I hasten to add that I would not classify it as warm per se. Or, at least, not in the typical sense where this denominator is assumed to be accompanied to mean a little thick, slow, rounded, rolled off, or dynamically restrained. None of this applies to the MPD-6.
More specifically, when compared using balanced interlinks via the CH L1 preamp, the MPD-6 is easily just as transparent and highly resolving as the twice-as-costly C1.2 DAC. And even if it is not quite as explicit or immediate in its overall delivery as the admittedly rather direct Swiss DAC, the MPD-6’s bass is very nearly as articulate. Which is to say, quite the opposite of slow, thick, or mushy. Meanwhile, I’ll add that the C1.2 may offer a more exacting and explicit rendition that I personally happen to be fond of, I know this is not for everyone. And the other side is that it also sounds less liquid, less expansive, and comparatively relatively matter-of-fact.
But all audiophile parameters aside, the MPD-6’s main raison d’etre is of course not being a reviewer’s file inspection tool. Rather, it is in having the rare capability of presenting fine detail, and expression, and in presenting all of the music’s intent in a very natural, fluid, and unforced manner that promotes long listening sessions. Indeed, just as analog does so well.
Over the course of my several listening sessions, the MPD-6’s main quality that lingered in my head most of all was that it rendered itself invisible while making the message of the music the prime priority. With this DAC, it is very easy to just relax and enjoy the music.
Power Cables
When used in combination with the CH L1 preamp, I found that the MPD-6 works superbly well when powered with the same cable that I use for the CH C1.2 DAC, which is the tight and fast-sounding GigaWatt LC-2 EVO. These cables are perfect for my taste when the MPD-6 is used as a DAC with a fixed analog output level into the CH L1 preamp. But when connected directly to the A1.5 power amp, the MPD-6 also sounded superb with the GigaWatt PowerSync ULTRA which sounds fuller and richer and a little less spritely and direct but otherwise remains spot-on neutral. If an extra touch of delicacy and fluidity is desired, the Final Touch Audio Elara brings it. This does slightly reduce the purity and immediacy but adds a naturalness and magic that is highly alluring.
Ultimately, the MPD-6 leaves the cable choice entirely to the user. It’s predominantly a matter of deciding which cable best personifies the user’s personal taste and much less so a matter of system synergy.
Stream-X2 input
So far, I’ve listened to the MPD-6 only using the Grimm MU1 via AES/EBU. But as I already know from reviewing the MPS-X digital interface, the MPD-6 DAC has a very neat trick up its sleeve that comes in the shape of the Stream-X2 option as detailed further up.
For my initial assessment of the MPD-6’s Stream-X2 performance, once again, I used the Grimm MU1, the only difference being that it connects to the MPD-6 via RJ45 and an Ethernet switch, rather than via AES/EBU.
The MPD-6’s Stream-X2 input is easily activated in the Roon settings but after I hit play, there was no sound. As it turns out, the MPD-6 does not automatically switch to the streaming input as some other Roon-Ready endpoints do. The C1.2 does this and I always thought this was a Roon requirement. But maybe it’s optional. Anyway, it’s no big deal, and I’ll just select it manually. To my delight, the MPD-6 is highly responsive to remote control demands. If I rapidly click three times in a row, the input also changes three positions. Sounds logical, but for so many products, this is not the reality. All too often, I have to force myself to click slowly to allow the component to keep up.
The streaming input is also ready for work the instant it is selected. When the music plays, I’m pleasantly surprised by the consistency in presentation. Sometimes, streaming inputs can sound very different from regular digital inputs, just as USB can sound very different. But with the MPD-6, there’s just the tiniest difference, the bass being slightly tighter and the midrange slightly leaner, but otherwise, I’m hard-pressed to hear a difference, which is a great result!
Antipodes K50
Besides the Grimm MU1, I also have the Antipodes K50 at hand which is not only handy for its wider range of outputs including USB but also offers a rather different sonic perspective.
The change from the Grimm MU1 to the Antipodes K50 server whilst retaining the Jorma AES/EBU cable feeding the MPD-6 brings a fuller, more deeply saturated tonality with an even higher degree of liquidity and an enriched organic feel, as well as slightly lower resolution and reduced transparency. To my content, all these observations are precisely what I expected based on many earlier comparisons between the Grimm and the Antipodes, which is a further testament to the MPD-6’s consistency.
USB
As I mentioned, USB inputs tend to sound very different from other digital inputs. Basically, Asynchronous USB holds the promise of perfect timing because the DAC’s clock is fully in charge without having to extract the clock signal from the upstream source. In practice, however, the results vary. In large part, the success hinges on the implementation of the interface on both ends. But given the MPD-6’s track record so far I was kind of expecting the USB input to sound very good, and fortunately, it does indeed!
When comparing the K50’s AES/EBU output to its USB output via a Final Touch Audio Sinope USB cable, the server largely maintains its rich and organic feel but with notably increased transparency, tightness, and articulation, as well as an increase in PRaT. At this point, I should note that the K50’s USB output does indeed usually sound different from its AES/EBU output, and indeed, usually similar to what I heard now. However, what is very unusual, and indeed quite remarkable, is that the server’s tonal fullness and organic feel are retained.
Next: Adding MPS-X
I’ll be honest: I didn’t understand if -apart from the “zero compromise factor”, and “cost-no object”- the DAC with the network card inserted and also used as preamplifier, sounds “worse” and how much “worse” than the same but inserted in series with a preamplifier and an external streamer. I’m sorry but I just couldn’t understand the long digression full of acronyms.
(Mea culpa)
Hi Luca, I re-read the review from a reader’s perspective and can understand the confusion with so many acronyms. I have now made a few little changes and additions to help clarify the points that I am trying to make. I trust the review will now read better!
Thank you Christiaan!
I’ll follow you 🙂
christian, did you ever use the MPD-6’s streaming function alone and not downstream of a dedicated streamer? if so, how did it hold up?
seems part of the value prop in uber-items like this is if they can replace other boxes (like the analog preamp feature does). —does the MPD-6s streamer by itself perform well enough to preclude an external streamer?
Yes, I did! The MPD-6’s Stream-X2 option is truly great. It’s just that the addition of the MPS-X makes it even better.
if a MPD-6 owner would get the MPS-X, do you think an external streamer (like the Grimm or Aurender, etc) would still be needed if you’re only streaming Qobuz?
I would say in that case a server is superfluous, unless you want to use Roon.
In that case, I would consider a server to be superfluous, unless you want to use Roon.
Hi there, thoughtful question here looking for a thoughtful response.
1. Do you think MPS-X + MPD6 beats K50 + MPD8? Former forms a great marriage but at expense of using a worse core as likely customer will just use desktop computer core not connected to MPS-X. Latter set up has better core being used and better DAC but at expense of a worse connection to DAC (no PLINK)
2. Do you think MPS-X + MPD8 using a roon core off computer desktop (computer not connected to the MPD-X directly but just used as roon core) beats K50 + MPS-8?
I really dislike the fact that the K50 player section not being used while adding the MPS-X between the K50 and MPD-6 in your review so trying to pick your brain.
Thank you much in advance.
Hi Frank, I cannot answer any of these questions as I have not yet heard the MPD8. That said, you can always opt for the Antipodes K41 as a server-only solution if you’re not going to use the K50’s player section.
Hi Christiaan, After just writing you a question regarding the MM Tambaqui in connection with the Aqua La Diva M2, I decided to check if you had written about the Tambaqui and saw you have. Circuitously, I then ended up here!:) The back story is that I have been thinking about replacing my Tambaqui with an MPD-6. Curious how you think they compare, at a very high level, and which you would personally prefer for overall musicality.
The MPD-6 is on a different level than the Tambaqui. Especially in terms of musicality indeed. The Tambaqui is really great, certainly at its price, but the MPD-6 is simply better. As well it should at its elevated price. Please note that I have also reviewed the Tambaqui by itself.
Very interesting. Thank you for your take. That is pretty impressive. I was also looking at the MPD-8, which I suppose would be another level up from there and would really leave the Tambaqui behind. Would be interesting to hear your take on the MPD-8 at some point, if you’re able to get a unit for review.
It’s possible that I will review the MPD-8 at some point, but nothing has been planned for this yet.
Thank you! Will certainly enjoy reading to an MPD-8 review should you ever write one.
Hi Christiaan, Sorry, another question regarding the MPD-6 in contrast with the MM Tambaqui: Is there anything you can comment in regards to:
1) How these contrast with one another in terms of soundstage height, width, depth, and the like?
2) Do you recall a noticeable difference in how fatiguing the two DACs are? I know neither is considered particularly fatiguing but still I’m curious if there is a difference.
Thank you again!
Tambaqui is more concentrated, MPD-6 is more spacious. I feel neiter are fatigueing indeed but since Tambaqui is crisper and more direct, one might find the MPD-6 relatively less fatiugueing.
Thank you so much! I agree with your reaction to the Tambaqui.
Hi Christiaan,
Quick update: I purchased an MPD-8 to compare with my Tambaqui and I do see what you mean in this review (even though the review is of the MPD-6). Even not broken in the MPD-8 has superior musicality and makes the Tambaqui sound a bit analytic by comparison. That said, I have not even neared the suggested burn-in point of 500 hours, so I won’t say any more until that occurs. Question: While I have an Aqua La Diva M2 arriving next week, I am now wondering whether Playback’s own transport, the MPT-8 might not be a better pairing with the MPD-8 since the Tambaqui seems very likely to go. Do you have any experience with the MPT?
Hi Ajaj, nice feedback, thanks. Alas, I have not heard the MPT-8 transport. I do hold the Aqua La Diva M2 in very high esteem and I’m sure it would pair very well. Would the MPT-8 pair even better? I really do not know. One might suspect so for a family member and connected via PLINK but the only real way to know is to try it in practice. Another thing to consider might be whether the MPT-8 would work as well standalone as the Aqua in combination with another brand of DAC. I’m sure it would do universally well but this might be worth checking if and when you have an MPT-8 at hand.
Thanks, Christiaan, You are right that it’s best to test it out first hand. Let me see if I can get a unit to test. Seems they’re harder to readily get a hold of than the DACs, but I will see.
BTW, it is interesting how spot on your reviews are. I have been comparing using the MPD-8 with and without preamp. After I made this comparison and noted the effect, I came back your MPD-6 review and your conclusion is nearly identical to what I heard.
Thanks for the nice feedback, Ajay!
Hi Christiaan, I continue to break-in my new MPD-8. You wrote here, “ With the MPD-6 used at a fixed output level and feeding the CH L1 analog preamp, the music is presented in a beautiful mix of effortless liquidity and truly excellent resolution, not bettered by any other DAC that I used, including the C1.2.”
Do you recall the voltage setting you used?
In the review, I noted: “While walking through the MPD-6’s available output level settings I found that the +3dB setting aligned it perfectly with the CH C1.2 DAC’s output, so I stuck with this.”
In general, I always recommend trying all output voltage options and simply siding with the one that sounds best in any given combination.
Thanks, Christiaan! Whoops, sorry, not sure how I missed that. I am currently finding 0db is the best. Will continue testing.
Hi Christiaan. As a result of your excellent reviews I bought the Aequo Stella Actives and Tambaqui DAC. After your MPD-6 review I replaced the DAC with the MPD-6 with X Stream board. I agree with your comment that as nice as the Tambaqui is the MPD-6 is on a different level. Today’s question: I would appreciate your thoughts on how the Grimm MU2 compares to the MPD-6. Regards Nick
Hi Nick, that’s a tough one as I don’t have them side by side. But I *think* the MPD with X Stream Board might perhaps be a little more expressive and lively, whereas the MU2 might perhaps be smoother or lusher.
Thanks Christiaan, much appreciated.
Hello Christiaan: In the context of your hi-fi system – and you were forced to choose – am I right in thinking that you personally prefer the sound of the Playback Designs MPD-6 over that of the Grimm Audio MU2?
I would personally prefer the MPD-6.
Thank you, Christiaan. I very much appreciate your feedback.