Esoteric SA-60


Never have I had such problems with a piece of equipment.  It's connected to the 7.1 bypass array of a Bryston SP3.  The display shows multichannel when I play a surround SACD, but I get sound only from the center channel.  I removed the parallel balanced stereo connection between the SA-60 and SP3, but that had no effect.  I never heard stereo from the SA-60 when I selected the balanced input, but I think I've heard stereo and multichannel from 7.1 bypass.

The trouble seemed to start when I learned that the SP3 does no processing in the bypass modes so provides no speaker management.  I set up speaker management using the menu of the SA-60.  But I've tried clearing the SA-60 memory several times since then.

I hope the problem is pilot error and not a defective SA-60. 

Ag insider logo xs@2xdbphd
The SA-60 has been the most problem ridden audio device I've ever had.  It usually plays multichannel DSDs, but not always.  I tried the Diana Krall DTS "Love Scenes" without success; I then tried the DSD, and got only surround sound.  Then I tried an Beatles DVD-A, and the surround sound was excellent.  This morning I tried a Corelli multichannel DSD that it has been playing successfully, but this time no sound.  I think I'm going to reinstall the Sony XA5400ES.
DB-

your experiences are the very reasons why I would never set up a surround system. 2- channel is perfectly fine for me!
My most recent experiences have been surround from either an Oppo 105D or Sony XA5400ES via HDMI, and both have functioned flawlessly whether the prepro was a Cary Cinema 12 or Bryston SP3.  But at one time I did connect the Oppo via 7.1 analog to the Cary, and that also functioned flawlessly.  

Part of the problem with the Esoteric seems to be an elaborate settings menu with inadequate explanation.  If I didn't have the Ayer C-5xeMP, I might be inclined to just set up the SA-60 for stereo and forget about surround from it, but I do have the Ayre and surround was the reason for buying the SA-60.