My Esoteric DV-50S died. Where do I go next?


I just received word from the importer in the country where I reside that my Esoteric DV-50S will no longer work, and the company no longer has replacement parts for it. I bought this player in January 2006 new, and it has given me a lot of joy over the 18 years that I was using it. I replaced it for CD and SACD with the Esoteric K-01 more than a decade ago, but I still liked and needed the DV-50S for DVD and DVD-Audio, where it really shined. However, given how well it's built externally, I feel rather appalled that the company no longer has parts for it. A premium product like this with a format like DVD should still be able to work. (I've also had several issues with the drawer mechanism on my K-01, and I don't think that components this expensive should be having such issues. After all, my older Musical Fidelity 3D CD player still works after 24 years while only needing a laser replaced once and without having a premium transport like the VRDS.) While my DVD-A collection isn't enormous, it is substantial--running from old rock and blues all the way to more recent classical, like Xenakis, Subotnik, and Morton Feldman. I would really like to be able to keep playing these discs. Do you have any ideas about what I might do? What are your thoughts about companies like Esoteric not having parts to keep these machines running a lot longer for older players that work with discontinued formats?

washline

No, the importer wasn't specific about which part needed replacing. However, another independent repairman,  with whom I've worked previously, is going to pick up the machine on Monday and try to fix it. If he fails, then I'll probably be looking at getting some kind of vintage audiophile dvd player. Thanks for the responses.

 

When the CD tray on my Theta Data transport stopped opening, I took off the top lid and had a look. I could see the problem was simply that the round rubber belt that ran between the plastic wheel that moved the belt and the tray was stretched to the point of loosing tension. A replacement off an internet site (less than $10), and all was well.

The DV-50S is much better built than the Theta.

 

washline

Keep me posted on the repair process. This is a Classic and worth the fix.

I am a fan/owner of a DV-50 player myself.

 

Happy Listening!

Thanks jafant.

 

bdp24, the tray issue was with the K-01, which has since been repaired. The belt was precisely the the problem as you noted. With the DV-50S,  the problem is that the player is simply not reading any disc. This will require a bit more of an involved and creative solution. Hopefully, this man who calls himself the "Digital Doctor" will be able to resolve it.