Any experience with EZ-80s, 5687s or Bendix 6900s?

Apologies are very much called for by the two posts after mine. I also asked questions about your strong accusations of the distributor stealing "your" DAC chip and screwing up your player. Add to that the kicking of someone while he's down (permanently) while giving no proof of wrongdoing. And by your own admission you used tubes not approved for the player without checking, which likely may have "screwed up" your player -- not something covered by warranty. Fmpnd, it's time for you to man up, tell it like it is and accept responsibility, and make amends with the two people you have victimized, including a public apology here.

The OP must have checked out. Can't think of any other reason that an apology would not have been issued.

Considering he has been made aware of the replies, I am very disappointed.

Wow!!! Just saw this. As someone who has dealt with the Avatar US distributor on more than a few occassions I have to chime in and say the accusation that a former fighter pilot STOLE a chip out of a player he reps (the owner of Avatar Acoustics) who holds integrity sacrosanct is absolutely RIDICULOUS and defamatory!!! FRANK

You bought that unit at cost (as a reviewer) and got free upgrades... He has flown to your house and fixed your unit for free. You never bought that chip; when the unit used to have a socketed digital engine Darren comped you a double crown TDA board. When that boared failed and he fixed it for FREE (as he NEVER charged you for any repairs) the new boards were NOT socketed and he could NOT install another chip. So you got a free newer gen digital engine with a surface mounted chip. You should tell the truth and stop telling half truths!!!!!

Also he replaced the board IN YOUR HOUSE in your presence and he explained ALL this to you! You very well knew and understood all that was taking place. People like you take the fun out of this hobby. I hate dishonest people.