Playback Designs MPD-8 Dream DAC
DAC Comparisons
Moving the MPD-8 from the HRS EXR rack to the Artesania Exoteryc rack (with Carbon Linear Arms), the sound becomes less dramatically impactful and robust but more fluid and transparent. Both renditions have their specific merits, but the Playback Designs components work equally well on both racks.
Swapping the Belden power cable for a GigaWatt LC-2 EVO works brilliantly, retaining everything the DAC does so well while providing a more balanced and linear behavior, resulting in a more convincingly realistic performance. With some components, the LC-2 EVO cable can inject a slight dryness, but it matches extraordinarily well with the MPD-8, just as it does with the CH Precision C1.2 DAC, where I use it as standard. Speaking of which… how would these two DACs compare?
I was almost scared to try, as the MPD-8 was performing so effortlessly splendidly. So, I wondered if the CH would still keep up?
The 0dB setting on the MPD-8 produced a much higher output than the CH, so I carefully matched the output levels. A setting of -6dB on the MPD-8 matched the C1.2’s fixed output. It was satisfying to note that the DAC’s performance barely changed when the output level was changed. The only discernible difference was that it sounded slightly more impactful with the higher settings. But no matter the setting, the pacing, dynamics, and resolution remained entirely unaltered.
After playing the first notes (still using AES/EBU), phew, I dared breathe again. Sure, the CH is a different animal, but the music still sounded solid, full-blooded, and emotionally gripping.
Cable influences make comparing digital inputs a tricky matter. It’s known that no two cables sound the same, but I often found this true, even between Coaxial S/PDIF and AES/EBU cables of the same type by the same manufacturer. Nevertheless, over time, and across a wide range of components, I found a consistency in how the two compare and the MPD-8 performs entirely in line with my expectations. The Belden RG59 coax cable sounds bolder and more powerful in the bass but less transparent and refined than the Mogami, which I usually prefer, and in this case, too.
As mentioned, the two DAC giants do not sound the same. The C1.2 sounds more resolute and direct, and it has a more pristine quality with laser-like focus, but it is also drier and a little less fluid and refined. The MPD-8 is airier and more delicate, fluid, and liquid, and, per its name, it is dreamier. There was hardly any difference in soundstage width, depth, or layering, nor was there a difference in how the DACs project music forward. Tonally and timbrally, the two DACs are both very neutral and equally convincingly realistic, with a similar level of saturation. Still, the MPD-8 is a little more natural, and the CH a little more neutral.
The Aqua Formula xHD DAC has been a favorite for a long time and has consistently performed well in comparisons. However, when compared to the MPD-8, the Formula xHD can no longer keep up. In terms of resolution, control, and articulation, it performs similarly well, but its presentation feels simpler and more technical. It is drier, images less largely, and is quite a bit less fluid and refined.
Oftentimes, when I encounter another great DAC, it is ultimately not as superb as the CH. But this time, the DAC under review most definitely performs at the same level, and in some areas, it is even better. Both DACs are simply fantastic, and it is predominantly a matter of taste.
But of course, the pertinent question arises: which one do I prefer? Which of the two is “better,” or rather, “nicer”? As always, this depends on the listener. When fluidity, non-digital, “analog” sound matters most, the MPD-8 is the DAC to go for. When accuracy, precision, and the most revealing nature matter most, then the C1.2 is the DAC to go for. The C1.2 is the most technically accurate, but it is less magical. The MPD-8 is comparatively (not strictly) less crisp and direct but emotionally more satisfying.
Analog Volume Control
The MPD-8 incorporates a very high-quality analog volume control. The volume control can also be bypassed, which is how I assessed the DAC so far. But now, it is time to see how the MPD-8 performs when driving the A1.5 power amp directly. When enabling volume control in the setup menu, the bottom display becomes active and shows the volume setting.
Using an external preamplifier can be a bit of a balancing act. When used directly, the MPD-8 gains urgency, conviction, and density while giving up a portion of fluidity, refinement, and lushness. It becomes more chiseled, earthy, and realistic but arguably less airy and intimate, and it occurred to me that by becoming more earthy, neutral, and direct, the MPD-8’s sound has now become more like the CH DAC. I like this direct and exacting nature, but I should note that the sound is no longer as lush or magical as when the DAC is used in fixed output mode via the L1 preamp. This is only logical, given that the CH preamp costs as much as the MPD-8.
Incidentally, I feel the same about the C1.2 DAC when used directly. This reflects additional qualities gained from using a superior preamp, rather than any shortcomings of the MPD-8.
Of course, cost is a consideration, and unless an exceptionally high-quality preamp is used, the MPD-8’s built-in volume section will likely outperform it. I should also add that the volume control not only works very transparently, but it is also superbly uniform in its behavior. Unlike most DACs that use a digital volume control, the MPD-8’s fully analog volume control provides a crisp, expressive, and “full-on” and present sound at any volume level.
Conclusion
It is easy to become jaded when one has heard so many components as I have. At the same time, it is rare for review components to surprise me. But now and then, they do. And very rarely, a review component truly amazes me. This was the case with the Playback Designs MPD-8. It was crystal clear from the start that this was a magnificent DAC. It ticks all the boxes for the usual technical aspects, such as resolution, transparency, linearity, and neutrality, while also nailing the technical elements I find extra important, such as control, tightness, articulation, transient attack, and overall expression, and putting the cherry, whipped cream, and glazing on top by pouring the music effortlessly into my soul with delicious liquidity, fluidity, and flow.
The MPD-8 is not just wholeheartedly recommended, but with this level of performance, it deserves a Magnificent Masterpiece award.
Try out Roon for yourself
External Links
Manufacturer: Playback Designs
PRESTIGE AUDIO DIFFUSION
Distributor for France & Monaco / Belgium / Switzerland
Contact : Marc Loubeau
Tel : +33(0)6 49 89 68 88
Email: contact@prestigeaudio-diffusion.fr
Two portfolios :
Prestige Audio Diffusion: www.prestigeaudio-diffusion.fr
Prestige Audio Selection: www.prestigeaudio-selection.fr
More About Playback Designs
Interview with Andreas Koch about the future of CD and SACD (feverSound.com)
DSD Seminar by Andreas Koch (blogspot.com)
Hi Christiaan,
thanks for a great review. You mentioned on page 2:
“This is worth noting as there are currently no CD/SACD or Streamer Transports in the NAGRA catalog.”
What about the NAGRA streamer?
Thanks for spotting that, Matt. I have now updated that to mention only CD/SACD transports.
Hi Christiaan,
how does the Stream-X2 compare to Oladra for streaming from streaming services like Qobuz or Tidal?
Thanks
That’s something for a potential follow-up review of the MPT-8. But in short: Qobuz sounds superb with Stream-X2. As much as I like the Oladra, Stream-X2 with the MPT-8 sounds faster-paced, more communicative and more direct, while retaining fluidity and flow. To my ears, it is the best streaming source yet.
Thanks Christiaan, very interesting…
It might be fun to try both the Nagra streamer and the USB-X4 via PLink with the MPD-8. Both are less than 5k and get some good reports about their SQ.
Hi Christiaan,
Playback Designa’s presentation of the MPD-6 DAC says: ”The Edelweiss DAC borrows technology from our flagship Dream series in a more compact
package.” I know that a long time passed since your MPD-6 review, and I also know that comparisons from memory are not very reliable; but from the feelings that you may have had, are they two DACs with fairly comparable performance, or does the Dream DAC offer such important differences as to justify a not small price difference? I have half a mind to replace my Bricasti M1SE that I bought a few years ago (even after reading your review), and among the possible candidates there is Playback Designs, but what is the real ”deal” between the two?
Regards
Roberto
Hi Roberto, that is indeed a hard one to answer precisely without having them side by side. From memory, they have a similarly agile and neutral sound. However, I have a strong feeling that the Dream Series sounds more well-rooted, confident, and realistic. Perhaps most telling is that I loved the MPD-6 when I reviewed it, but I did not want to trade my CH C1.2 for it. With the MPD-8, it is a different story. In this case, I could happily trade. It is that good.
I have huge respect for Bricasti and I like their ultra-refined sound (similarly to how I perceived the Levinson 360S and 390S), but to my ears, their gear can be a little too polished and polite. Playback Designs manages to tick all the technical boxes just like the Bricasti does, while sounding more upbeat and realistic, as well as more organic.
fwiw i own both and am selling the edelweiss (no reason to keep when you have the dream).
dream is appreciably better in bass depth / articulation (while the midrange is the magic, the foundation of music is in the bass), dynamics and overall PRAT (read: that better power supply has its benefits).
dream has slightly better resolution BUT both products have the same “house sound” that permits LONG listening sessions without fatigue. i’ve never gotten tired listening to a PD dac. and i listen for hours on end. they both have a great even-handed way with the treble region where its extended but sweet.
Also, both products do quite well normalizing sources by way of the jitter rejection tech as Christiaan wrote of (makes lower quality sources very listenable).
is the dream better? of course.
is it worth your $ is a personal ? only you can answer.
Hi Ryan
I found MPD-8 much better than MPD-6, so the question of price is ok for my point of view, but I can say that I use my PLAYBACK with SR master fuse (top), PRANAWIRE Nirvana XLS Level III power cable, and the DAC sits on flagship HARMONIX TU-210 ZXM cones+ RF-999a+ bases (these Harmonix were stopped in 2024). This is to say that the original sound difference could become dramatic when MPD-8 is set up in a way to extract the very best of his immense potential. Not only the sound is more dynamic, more refined and precise, a much (much) better soundstage and placements, but more important, music sound as close as possible to a event played in from of me without any amplification as when I go to concert halls, intimate or quite huge.
Hi Roberto
I had Bricasti M1SE in the past, a very good DAC. I upgraded it to Weiss 502 4ch and then finally to PLAYBACK MPD-8. The difference of sound between the Bricasti and the Playback is so huge that they are not in the same league. Also the prices are not comparable. But if the goal is to get the very best sound, even for a cost no object audio system, MPD-8 or MPD-8Ai are the best I found, the closest to the real unamplified music live event.
Regards
Phil
Hi Phil,
thanks for your input. I’ll think about it. I also need to figure out if I could still get a decent improvement with the MPD-6, spending less money.
MPD-6 is also a very good DAC that sounds really like music. I listened to MPS-X + MPD-6 with PLINK, it was incredibly realistic.
Hi Christiaan! During your review of the MPD-6, you also had the stand-alone streamer MPS-X at your disposal. This time, with the Dream products, it concerned the Stream X2 module. My question: Did you notice (yes I know, MPS-X was quite a while ago, but maybe you remember 😉 a difference with the module compared to the stand-alone version? It’s exactly the same, but the MPS-X might profit from having its own power supply, which could be audible. What’s your take on this? Thanks in advance and best regards, Arnaud
That’s a question more fitted for the MPD-6 or MPS-X review… but in short: the MPS-X has the advantage of reclocking and PLINK.
Hi Christiaan,
my apologies, from recollection I thought you didn’t have the Stream X2 at the time, I actually thought this was the first time. So I should have asked (cause that’s what I’m curious about, and hopefully this is a better fit for this review):
“MPT-8 + StreamX2 vs. MPS-X stand-alone”. Because in that comparison, there is P-link to DAC in both cases, and it only comes down to separation / power supply shared or dedicated etc. It might be that with the MPS-X, there is a second PDFAS reclock, but of that I’m not sure and if so, if it matters. Anyway, maybe you have an opinion about the above. Thanks anyway for another detailed PD review. Best regards,
Arnaud
Hi Arnoud, indeed, This review concerned the Stream-X2, whereas the earlier review concerned the Stream-X. I extrapolated my impressions to provide some information for you. It is impossible for me to make a mental comparison between Stream-X and Stream-X2. However, in all my comparisons so far, the separate chassis (whether Stream-X or MPT-8) further increases the expression and realism. Just why that is, is a question for the good people at Playback Designs:-)
Bonjour Arnaud, Je suis du même avis que Christiaan, j’ai pu tester le MPS-X et le STREAM-X2, MPSX est meilleur avec l’intérêt évident du PLINK. Ceci dit pour les possesseur de MPT-8 ou de MPS-8, Stream X2 est un streamer redoutable surtout au prix proposé. C’est le serveur lorsque le Maestro Teodor Currentzis était venu écouter chez moi en fin 2023 !
Bonjour monsieur,
just because my name is spelled French, doesn’t mean I am 😉 But I get your point; you feel the stand-alone MPS-X to be the best option for streaming. Thanks for your input and all the best,
Arnaud
Sorry to think you were Francophone. MPS-X is better for sure because it is separate, has a more dedicated power supply. Also, if you want the very best, TAIKO EXTREME is the good way. I should say that when I used PLAYBACK Streamers, I upgraded the performance a lot using TAIKO Switch + Taiko power supply + Weiss PSU 102 as 230/12v transformer. The difference in resolution and naturalness is really impressive. I also use HARMONIX cones + bases under each of these “accessories”. I did that upgrade before receiving Theodor Currentzis 😁
MPD-8 + MPS-X fixed the harshness that I head from the RAAL Immanis. I was going to kick the Immanis to the curb and had wanted a PBD DAC for a long time. I thought why not give it a shot. No more harshness, was previously using Chord DAVE. I only listen with headphones and IEMs (PMG APX SE). I have no interest in speakers at this time. My Chain is: Shunyata Everest –> Macbook pro–> MPS-X –> PLINK into MPD-8 –> Feliks Envy 25th AE w/ TM300B & Melz 1578.
I cannot overstate the improvement that MPD-8 has had. Most the timeI listen to bandcamp streaming but I also listen to HD Audiophile recordings via Jriver & Macbook Pro. Not only does simple streaming from bandcamp sound absurdly good, those well reocrded audiophile albums, never heard anything so good and I have this in my house all day everyday as I work from home.
I also listen to Bandcamp especially contemporary or experimental music 🫣, and this is most of the time more complex to playback (no joke) that “conventional” music. I use Taiko Extreme with USB link to MPD-8. I have not yet tested if adding USB-X4 between Extreme and MPD-8 could be better. At Taiko, I know they prefer direct USB output as Extreme is so noise free that adding even a good upgrade could reduce the pure pristine sound coming from the Dutch marvel.
Hi PHP,
I think even with an Extreme it would makes sense to try USB-X4.
BTW, USB output isn’t the first choice by Taiko anymore. Their best output is now XDMI which they offered first with their Olympus server.
And XDMI is coming for Extreme as well. Also UPnP as an alternative to Roon.
Cheers
I sell my EXTREME and will order OLYMPUS. Thank you for your feedback.
These protocols are on the roadmap, you will be able to use all of these with the Olympus AND the Extreme:
1) UPNP
2) Tidal connect
3) Qobuz connect
4) Airplay
5) Chromecast
Thank you Matt
Hi Christiaan
a very interesting review of the PLAYBACK DREAM line. I adopted PLAYBACK dream since 2022 and each model is a pearl. I should say that MPD-8 since mid 2024 are upgraded in analog output stage and the sound difference with the former model is quite important. More natural, more dynamic and more open.
I appreciate your carefulness about stands because they are an integral part of the sound produced. HRS are really at the top. I designed and made a cost no object stand that upgrade all the component sound to a degree that most audiophiles could not believe. But it is expensive and very heavy.
Christiaan, in the discussions about the updated output stage (which your review sample did not have), it mentions how the new analog output stage better at high volumes….is that to say the updated output stage is related to the analog volume control, and is of no effect if listening to fixed output levels from the MPD-8?
do you know is there an upgrade path for owners of older units?
Hi Ryan, I asked in 2024 but there is no upgrade program for MPD-8 scheduled to my knowledge (feedback from a distributor). The issue is that this is not a « simple » card exchange. This improvement was the consequence that some components were not available from the suppliers so PB upgraded the components for even better ones.
Thanks P. –any ideas if the changes are solely related to analog volume control or does the changes impact fixed output too?
the upgrade is about the analog output fixed too as I only use fixed at 0db here (I much prefer using MPD-8 with my APURNA™ preamp).