Esoteric DV-60

Hi. I just had an DV-60 on trial vs. a dealers DV-50 S as I´ve just upgraded from DV-50 S to UX-3 SE.

On SACD and CD I clearly prefer the stock DV-50 S over the DV-60 - which is - according to the dealer designed for optimized DVD playback. On DVD the DV-60 is - no surprise -better than DV-50 S as it offers 1080i with a Faroudja (wrongly spelled?) chip. BUT: The old DV-50 S is much heavier (8kgs.). 21,8kg vs. 14kg (DV-60).

Hope this helps.

Good God, maybe I should look at the UX-3 or UX-1 instead of the DV-60. 2 channel is 75% vs. 25% for video. What is the price difference b/w the DV-60 and the UX-3 and UX-1?

Canucks, I cannot comment on the differences among the UX-3, UX-1, or DV-60, but I can comment on the sound and video of the UX-3. I bought mine used, but it was apparently not fully broken in because it improved significantly over a 3 week period of running 24/7. My previous player was an APL3190 without all the most recent upgrades (not AKM DACS, but older Crystal DACS). I was pleasantly surprised on first listen with the UX-3. After 3 weeks it was not as organic sounding as the APL, but bettered it in dynamics, lows, and even the highs. I have finally broken in the statement level modifications that Steve Huntley (GNSC) did to my UX-3 and all I can say is: "WOW"!!!!! The UX-3 is clearly a great platform and very good in its own right. In stock form, it's a tossup between the older APL3910, but modified it has surpassed all of what I thought possible from a high-end player.

The price difference between DV-50 S and DV-60 is US $ 0,00 (US $ 6.000,00 vs. US $ 6.000,00).
The UX-3 SE I use is US $ 8.950,00 and is worth every penny. Mine will get the US $ 2.790,00 RAM modification by the end of the year.
Esoteric gear is great for modification - probably the last one box player you´ll need unless industry changes format specifications.
As I said - the CD/SACD performance of the DV-60 is compared to the DV-50 S quite dissapointing. DVD with DV-60 is better (colours, resolution, image stability (I use Sony Bravia flatscreen and a professional series Oehlbach interconnect)). DV-50 S casework is more robust.

I've not had an opportunity to audition a DV-60 yet. That being said Esoteric players need at least 300 hours, IMO, to begin hitting their stride. Some customers feel they need even more time. That being said, I feel it is unfair and disingenous to make any comparisons and or final evaluation unless the unit is fully broken in.

Disclaimer: I sell Esoteric.