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MPD-3 User Manual

10

Re-connection after system has been previously configured:

1. Power on both computer and MPD-3. Select PC input on MPD-3.

2. Connect USB cable.

3. Enumeration should be quick on Windows and about 10 seconds with Mac and may not indicate

anything except with failure. You may hear the relays clicking inside the MPD-3 as the computer sets

the sample rate.

4. For best performance and bit perfect reproduction make sure to set all volume controls in the

computer playback software, Windows / OSX control panel to exactly 0db (wide open), turn off all

operating systems sounds, effects or equalizer that might be running in your playback software or

Windows / OSX. Control the volume only with your analog pre-amp.

5. Your system is now ready for high resolution playback.

During playback with PC

When changing songs from within your computer player software the USB protocol automatically

communicates all necessary sample rate changes to the MPD-3. The front panel of the MPD-3 always

indicates the true sample rate during file playback. This system will never perform any sample rate conversion

or any signal processing that could adversely affect the sonic performance, but rather use the exact bits from

your file and convert them directly to analog.

During playback with Mac

The native OSX operating system and iTunes do not

understand the needs of audiophile consumers and insist on

sample rate conversion. When connecting the MPD-3 OSX

will automatically select the highest possible sample rate

(384kHz) and convert all your songs to this rate before

playing them out through USB. This will result in degraded

performance. You can manually select the sample rate in

the Audio/MIDI Setup utility to correspond with the native

sample rate of the song (as shown in picture), but this can

be a tedious process if your library contains songs with

more than 1 sample rate. Alternatively, 3

rd

 party plug-ins for

iTunes exist that automate this process and always select

the correct sample rate for bit perfect playback.

Check our website

www.playbackdesigns.com

 for an updated list of supported plug-ins.

Playback of DSD files

The driver software and MPD-3 hardware are designed to support playback of DSD files at 2 sample rates:

the standard 2.8224MHz as used on all SA-CDs and the double rate 5.6448MHz as supported by some

professional recording equipment. You will need a playback software running on your computer that can read

DSD files and play them to the USB driver. On the Mac platform you will have to use a playback software or

iTunes plug-in that supports the DoP standard for playing DSD files. Check our website

www.playbackdesigns.com

 for an updated list of playback software available.

Testing your system for bit perfect reproduction

Windows / OSX and your player software offer multiple places for volume control, effects processing,

dithering, equalization or sample rate conversion. Generally, these algorithms affect the sonic performance in

a negative way, especially in low volume listening levels. It is therefore recommended that all volume controls

on your computer are set to exactly 0db (wide open) and all operating system sounds, effects, equalizers and

other algorithms are turned off. You should only control volume with your analog pre-amp. In order to test

your system to make sure that no hidden control or algorithm on your computer may impact your sonic

performance you can play a special test file:

Содержание MPD-3

Страница 1: ...Version 1 1 MPD 3 Music Playback System USER MANUAL ...

Страница 2: ...MPD 3 User Manual 2 ...

Страница 3: ...int within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance servicing instructions in the literature accompanying the appliance INFORMATION TO THE USER Alteration or modification carried out without appropriate approval may invalidate the user s right to operate the equipment WARRANTY Playback Designs warrants this product against defects...

Страница 4: ...er you for the warranty If this product has been shipped to you directly from Playback Designs you are automatically registered BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT What is in the box MPD 3 playback system Remote control unit with mounted batteries USB cable Power cord 110V versions only User manual Registration If you purchased this product from a dealer please take a moment and send us an email to support p...

Страница 5: ...but S PDIF formatted on RCA connector PC Direct USB connection to Windows and Apple based computers for sample rates up to 24bits 384kHz for PCM and 5 6448MHz for DSD Power Before connecting the converter to the AC mains please make sure that the rated voltage for the MPD 3 is set correctly as indicated on the rear panel Operating the converter at the wrong voltage will damage the unit The voltage...

Страница 6: ...ts the USB input from PC No function No function No function The first time this buttons is pressed the alpha numeric display indicates the absolute phase for the analog outputs If it is pressed again within 5 seconds the absolute phase is toggled Dims display on front panel Pressing and holding this button will display the serial number for about 5 seconds Pressing it again while the serial numbe...

Страница 7: ...ide of remote AAA Batteries The remote operates with 2 AAA size batteries In order to change them the back cover needs to be removed as shown in picture on the left Make sure that replacement batteries are inserted with their polarities as indicated in the picture The screws can be opened with a 3 32 hex or Allen key ...

Страница 8: ...sses such as playing audio This can result in audible dropouts sometimes very short but sometimes also quite long Some PCs are pre configured with drivers and processes by the manufacturer that cause such dropouts and others are user installed with additional software that do not allow flawless real time playback of audio Fortunately there is a free utility software that allows you to test your PC...

Страница 9: ...anager below 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 on the Mac in the Sound Control panel below where the MPS 3 should be listed as an audio output device 9 For PC users only Configure your player software to send audio data to the ASIO interface Depending on your player software this may b...

Страница 10: ...graded performance You can manually select the sample rate in the Audio MIDI Setup utility to correspond with the native sample rate of the song as shown in picture but this can be a tedious process if your library contains songs with more than 1 sample rate Alternatively 3 rd party plug ins for iTunes exist that automate this process and always select the correct sample rate for bit perfect playb...

Страница 11: ...ter When things do not seem to work The MPD 3 is a hardware device with very little software inside and if it doesn t show any signs of malfunctioning in other playback modes it is relatively safe to assume that the problem is either with the USB link or the computer Generally you should look for any signs of trouble on your computer first and don t assume that because your computer may work with ...

Страница 12: ...ll ever sound like others have described but we assure you that you will start to hear substantial changes within another week of play 4 350 500 Hours The magic will be starting Highs will be open and airy Midrange will appear much more full bodied and natural Soundstage will be huge and the image presentation will start appearing very holographic Bass will be incredibly deep and tight with textur...

Страница 13: ...proceed as follows to change the fuse 1 Locate fuse compartment on power connector on rear panel 2 Use a small screw driver to pry open the fuse holder Fuse Compartment Prying open with a small screw driver 3 The fuse holder contains 2 fuses The top one is a spare and can replace the blown one at the bottom 4 Replace fuse holder into power connector by making sure that good fuse is at bottom Repla...

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