Playback Designs MPD-5 User Manual

MPD-5

Music Playback D/A Converter

USER MANUAL

Version 2.5

3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

!

CAUTION: TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ELECTRIC
SHOCK, DO NOT REMOVE COVER. NO USER
SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER SERVICING
TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL.

The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle is intended
to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the
product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of
electric shock to persons.

!

The exclamation point 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.

 Read and follow these instructions and keep this manual in a safe place.
 Do not use this apparatus near water.
 Clean only with dry cloth.
 Do not block any ventilation openings.
 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heaters, or other apparatus

(including pre-amplifiers and amplifiers) that produce heat.

 Do not install this apparatus in a confined space such as book cases or closed

cabinets.

 Unplug this apparatus from the mains during lightning storms or when unused for

long periods of time.

CAUTION

MPD-5 User Manual

INFORMATION TO THE USER

Alteration or modification carried out without appropriate approval may invalidate the user’s
right to operate the equipment.

MPD-5 User Manual

4

WARRANTY

Playback Designs warrants the MPD-5 product against defects in material and
workmanship under normal use and service for a period of time specified by the product’s
serial number from the date of first delivery to the owner. The warranty time period is for 30
days. If within the first 30 days of ownership you register your Playback Designs MPD-3
product, by sending us a copy of your sales receipt, your name, address, city, state, zip
code, phone number, email address and your dealer’s store name, we will extend the
warranty to 3 years. This warranty is limited to the original owner.

Playback Designs will pay for return shipping charges (domestically) back to the owner
when the product is sent to Playback Designs within the first 30 days after purchase and
the fault can be confirmed by Playback Designs. Otherwise, owner will be responsible for
all shipping charges to and from Playback Designs. International customers must deal with
their local dealer or distributor.

For all warranty claims, a copy of the original invoice must accompany the product.
Opening the product or modifying it in any way by the owner, including but not limited to
cryogenic treatment, will void any warranty.

Please contact Playback Designs for a RA (Return Authorization) number and shipping
instructions before shipping any product to Playback Designs.

Playback Designs products are sold worldwide through authorized dealers with restricted
territories. If any Playback Designs product is purchased from non-authorized dealers or
from a dealer selling outside his / her authorized territory all warranties will be void.

If you purchased this product from a dealer please take a moment and send us an email to

[e-mail] so we can register you for the warranty. If this product has

been shipped to you directly from Playback Designs you are automatically registered.

MPD-5 User Manual

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Alphanumeric status display

BEFORE USING THE PRODUCT

 What is in the box: MPD-5 playback system

Remote control unit with mounted batteries
USB-X extension interface
HD-15 and USB cable used with USB-X
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 [e-mail] so we can register you
for the warranty.

 Installation: The AC voltage supplied to the unit should match the voltage rating

indicated on the rear panel.
Do not place the converter on the amplifier or any other equipment that
generates heat.

As the converter may become warm during operation, always leave
sufficient space around the converter for ventilation. Always allow
adequate air circulation around the player.

When moving the converter, make sure to turn off the power and
disconnect the power cord.

FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS

The front panel has no user buttons or switches, just an alphanumeric display. All functions of the MPD-5 are
controlled via the IR remote or the serial RS-232 interface.

MPD-5 User Manual

6

CONNECTIONS

Analog outputs: XLR: balanced, 4Vrms @ 1kHz full level, pin 2 Hot

RCA: unbalanced, 2Vrms @ 1kHz full level
BNC: unbalanced, 50Ω, 2Vrms @ 1kHz full level

Digital outputs: XLR: AES/EBU formatted for stereo linear PCM data.

DATA / CLOCK: Only the DATA output is used for the proprietary optical link (PlayLink)

to other Playback Designs equipment, such as the MPS-5 integrated
disc player.

Digital inputs: AES: XLR connector for AES/EBU formatted stereo linear PCM data, up to

24bits and up to 192kHz.
S/PDIF: same as AES, but S/PDIF formatted on RCA connector.
TOSLINK: same as S/PDIF, but on optical connector.
PLAYLINK: This optical proprietary link (PlayLink) is used to connect to other

Playback Designs equipment, such as the MPS-5 integrated player or

the USB-X interface. This connection supports multiple audio formats.
PC: Direct USB connection to Windows based computers for sample rates

up to 48kHz. Before connecting to PC, make sure that PC input is

selected on MPS-5 and the PC is turned on, so that the PC can

enumerate the link. Subsequent changes of selected inputs on MPS-5

are then possible without disconnecting the USB cable. However, when

powering down the PC the enumeration is lost and the link has to be set

up again as described above.
AUXILIARY: Used to connect legacy USB-X interface.

System Control: SOFTWARE: This USB connection to a Windows based PC is used to update the

software of the MPD-5 converter.
REMOTE: RS-232 wired remote control (see appendix for further details).
BOOT: Used in connection with software update procedure. When pressed

during normal operation it resets the player.

Power: Before connecting the converter to the AC mains, please make sure that the rated voltage

for the MPD-5 is set correctly as indicated on the rear panel. Operating the converter at
the wrong voltage will damage the unit. The voltage rating of the power supply cannot be
changed by the user.