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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. 

dbphd
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,185 posts
 
DB-

your experiences are the very reasons why I would never set up a surround system. 2- channel is perfectly fine for me!
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,185 posts
 
Hang in there and Happy Listening!
dbphd OP
1,632 posts
 
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.

jafant's avatar
jafant
20,185 posts
 
db-

what's next?
dbphd OP
1,632 posts
 
I'll probably continue to fiddle with the SA-60 menus, but rely on the Oppo or Sony when I want reliable surround music.  The Ayre provides superb stereo.  The SA-60 does look nice in the rack, though it's been a major disappointment.
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