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
The Ayre.  The Ayre is also superb with CDs.  The Sony is excellent with SACDs via balanced analog, but much less good with CDs.  On the occasions the Esoteric has actually played an SACD, it's sound is a close second to the Ayre.  DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD Blu-rays played on the Oppo can be sensational.
Upon reflection, it occurred to me that my problems with the SA-60 revolve around settings for analog 5.1.  I wonder how many owners use only the balanced or single-ended stereo output of the SA-60.  I know my cousin does, as did the previous owner of the SA-60 I bought.  The menu for 5.1 opens up the entire speaker management can of worms, as well as how to play a multi-level disc.