RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Angeboten wird „MPD5 Digital - Analog Wandler + USB X Box“ von Playback Designs als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „D/A Wandler“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 2983371116 endet am 02.09.2026 um 08:07 Uhr.
€3,990 looks strong for this class of Playback Designs DAC; against the model’s high-end pedigree and original retail around €13,000–€14,000, it lands well into “good buy” territory rather than merely fair. For a serious digital front end, that is a compelling entry point if the unit is clean and fully functional.
What makes it worthwhile is the Playback Designs house sound and engineering: these are respected for refined timing, low digital glare, and a very “analog” presentation, plus flexible inputs for server, streamer, or transport use. The big upside here is getting a true statement-level DAC platform at a much lower buy-in; just make sure any proprietary accessories, remote, and I/O options are included, since those matter more on a niche design like this.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Playback Designs emerged in 2008, founded by Andreas Koch, a pioneering digital audio engineer with roots tracing back to the early days of the format. Beginning his career at Studer ReVox in Switzerland in 1982, where he built the world's first fully asynchronous digital sample rate converter, Koch later honed his expertise at Dolby Labs, Studer Editech in California—creating the enduring Dyaxis hard disc recorder—and EMM Labs, developing revolutionary sample rate conversion algorithms, discrete D/A converters, and clock management architectures. Blending Swiss-German engineering precision with American entrepreneurial drive, the California-based brand launched with an integrated SACD/CD player incorporating 25 years of Koch's innovations.
The company specializes in high-performance digital playback systems, focusing on DACs, network players, and integrated processors like the MPD-6, MPS-X, MPD-8, and series such as Edelweiss and Dream. eschewing off-the-shelf D/A chips, Playback Designs employs custom Xilinx FPGA-based designs programmed with Koch's proprietary code for jitter-free, ultra-high-resolution conversion. Their expandable architectures unite digital signal processing with meticulously crafted analog output stages, often designed in collaboration with engineers like Bert Vogt or Bert Gerlach, prioritizing sonic purity over conventional components.
Positioned firmly in the high-end audiophile market, Playback Designs commands respect among discerning listeners for delivering reference-level transparency and musicality in digital sources. Known for from-the-ground-up innovations that outperform mass-market rivals, the brand appeals to buyers seeking no-compromise performance in a niche boutique realm, where proprietary algorithms and modular platforms ensure future-proof excellence.
See all Playback Designs listings on RADAR.
