I'm a serious musician and audio has been important to me since the 1960s. This system is my third major upgrade in the last 40 years.
You can see that it's important for me to integrate my system into our apartment living space, that I share with my wife of 39-years. It was important for the speakers to be physically attractive as furniture and, most importantly, be very musical.
The analog front end is incredibly revealing. When I'm seriously listening I pull the speakers out to the positions that you see, which was determined using Sumiko's Master Set technolog. Rod Thomson of Soundings set mine for me. Believe it or not, that table to the left is no problem for either imaging or frequency response. The narrow set is defined by that short wall and the opening into the hall and foyer. The image goes out past the speakers and centered vocalists are about 3/4 the way up the armoire in the center and depth goes back to the back wall. You'd be amazed at the bass from this system, particularly given the wonderfully open and textured midrange.
At other times the AKG headphones and incredible Woo Audio amplifier provide a great alternative for listening without moving the furniture around.
The Korg MR1000 is used for live recording and archiving vinyl using 1-bit DSD at 5.6 mHz.
I reviewed one article and one audio blog that performed A/B on the older emm Labs CDSA with the plastic tray and the upgraded transport of the new emm Labs CDSA SE. Both say the upgrades are significantly better in mids and bass. And with details been better in the lows.
So you have the PD MPS-5...would be great to have a shootout between the PD and my modified emm Labs CDSA SE. I've had a couple of PD owners say it's far better than the emm Labs player. Not sure about that with the continuous upgrades of emm Labs owners can receive. Since I design software, I often think where is the innovation in CD players. And where should R&D focus their efforts for noticeable improvements...hardware or software? I guess that is where the PD MPS-5 comes in.
Will you be able to update the firmware in the PD via USB?
Over 400 plus hours on my player and it sounds outstanding in my system. Depth. Details. Dynamics. And the ribbon-tweeter combo of my Helicon 300 loves all the details the CDSA SE provides.
Nice upgrade to Jeff Rowland Continuum 500. Sure that was a big change for your system. I do remember reading where a reviewer said the Vienna Acoustics sounded better with a much more higher powered amplifier. I believe that to be true since my Hayden's (Home Theater System) are powered by Musical Fidelity A308 250 watts per channel, and can deliver blockbusting current and high voltage with very low distortion. So the Continuum has to be sweet with lots of slam, rich mids, and dynamics for the Baby Grand.
