MPD-6 User Manual
9
CONNECTING THE MPS-6 TO A WINDOWS, MAC OR LINUX BASED PC
Supported resolutions:
PCM: all sample rates up to 384kHz and word lengths up to 24 bits.
DSD: native up to 11.2MHz and DoP up to 5.6MHz
Connection protocol and method:
USB 2.0 / Audio class 2.0 compliant, asynchronous mode where MPD-
6 generates high precision clock master and computer is clock slaved.
PC requirements:
Windows 7 or later, ASIO compatible player software such as JRiver
etc.
Mac requirements:
OS X (10.6.6 or later)
Linux computer requirements:
Any Linux version with kernel-integrated USB driver (not ALSA).
In order for your computer to communicate with the MPD-6 and to exchange audio data a custom driver
software needs to be installed before you can connect it to the MPD-6. If your computer is a Mac running
OSX 10.6.6 or later or you are using a Linux computer you don’t need any driver software. DSD file playback
is supported on Mac via the DoP standard, and on Linux computers natively up to DSD4x. A driver has to be
installed on all Windows based PCs for any kind of audio playback via the MPD-6.
Driver software installation and first time connection on Windows based computers:
1. Download the latest USB driver from the support section on our website:
www.playbackdesigns.com
2. Double click on the installer and follow instructions on your screen.
3. Power on the MPD-6 and connect the included USB cable between the USB AUDIO connector on
your MPD-6 and your computer.
4. Select USB Input on your MPD-6.
5. The computer will take a moment to enumerate the MPD-6 on
its USB bus and notify you when it is installed successfully. You
can check successful driver installation and connection in the
device manager, where the driver will show up as AKDesign
USB Audio under the Sound, Video and Game Controllers tab.
It will not be listed in the Sound Control panel.
6. Configure your player software to send audio data to the ASIO
interface. Depending on your player software this may be
identified as “AKDesign USB ASIO” or simply as “ASIO”. Some
players may need a plug-in for ASIO compatible playback.
7. For best performance and bit perfect reproduction make sure to set all volume controls in the
computer playback software to exactly 0db (wide open), turn off all effects or equalizer that might be
running in your playback software. Control the volume only with your analog pre-amp.
Connecting Apple or Linux computers:
No driver needs to be installed. If you are planning to play DSD files on a Mac make sure your playback
software sends them via DoP to the MPD-6. Linux supports DSD playback natively without DoP.
During playback with PC
When changing songs from within your player software running on your computer, the USB protocol
automatically communicates all necessary sample rate changes to the MPD-6. The front panel of the MPD-6
