Respectfully Frankpiet, with 200 hrs of playing time, Esoteric gear reaches 20% to 25% of total breakin time. 200 hrs is simply the magic moment when they no longer sound painful to the ear. Keep that creature playing for another 6 week, then bother listening to it once again. |
the units were both spinning for 4 days 24 hours the Ayre Acoustics break in CD and a Burmester Test CD. Listening was for about four more days. So the DV-60 had about 200 hours of constant use on it. ANY item I know reaches full potential after 200 hours of constant use - even speakers with ceramique drivers.
But anybody can prove to his or her ears if they prefer the DV-60 to the DV-50 S. I don´t - but thats not important as I have upgraded to UX-3 SE which of course is better than both standard DV-50 S and DV-60 BUT my RAM modded DV-50 S smoked UX-3 SE as well as UX-1.
It all depends on what you would like to spend. Best bang for the buck is def. buying a used DV-50 S and spend some extra US $$$ on modifications and spend the price difference on a nice power cord. |
You beat me to the punch Guido. I have serious doubts about the DV-60 being fully broken in. Furthermore, the folks at Teac are very careful about introducing new models. I've met the Japanese engineers and I'm convinced that any new product introduction is an improvement over the previous model. Now before I'm flamed we know that is not always the case but Esoteric is as serious as any manufacturer about their products and reputation.
Once again, I've not had an opportunity to evaluate the DV-60 yet but I hesitate to believe it is inferior to the DV-50s and anybody reading this thread should not based on one person's opinion. |
How many hours of playing time did these devices have on them? A Fully broken in Esoteric unit would have upwards of 40 days of continuous playing time on it. Considering that the DV-60 has just reached the distribution channel, finding a broken in unit so early in the distribution cycle would be quite a feat. |
Audiofeil / Guidocorona: as an Esoteric owner I would say an Esoteric product needs at least 2 years to break in - just kidding. Both units were fully broken in - don´t worry ;) |
Off topic a bit, but I enjoy the multichannel audio environment. The UX-3 uses an I-Link from the output of the player to the processor. Do you need an input on the processor of the same variety at the processor end? I use a Myryad MDP500 G6. Is there an adapter to go from this I-Link cable to a processor or how does it hook up? Thanks. Dave |
Audiofeil, I would claim in fact that it makes no sense to evaluate an Esoteric product with any less than 800 hrs on it for RedBook alone.
DISCLAIMER: I am an X-01 owner, but wish I were also an Esoteric dealer. (chuckles!) |
I've not had an opportunity to audition a DV-60 yet. That being said Esoteric players need at least 300 hours, IMO, to begin hitting their stride. Some customers feel they need even more time. That being said, I feel it is unfair and disingenous to make any comparisons and or final evaluation unless the unit is fully broken in.
Disclaimer: I sell Esoteric. |
The price difference between DV-50 S and DV-60 is US $ 0,00 (US $ 6.000,00 vs. US $ 6.000,00).
The UX-3 SE I use is US $ 8.950,00 and is worth every penny. Mine will get the US $ 2.790,00 RAM modification by the end of the year.
Esoteric gear is great for modification - probably the last one box player you´ll need unless industry changes format specifications.
As I said - the CD/SACD performance of the DV-60 is compared to the DV-50 S quite dissapointing. DVD with DV-60 is better (colours, resolution, image stability (I use Sony Bravia flatscreen and a professional series Oehlbach interconnect)). DV-50 S casework is more robust. |
Canucks, I cannot comment on the differences among the UX-3, UX-1, or DV-60, but I can comment on the sound and video of the UX-3. I bought mine used, but it was apparently not fully broken in because it improved significantly over a 3 week period of running 24/7. My previous player was an APL3190 without all the most recent upgrades (not AKM DACS, but older Crystal DACS). I was pleasantly surprised on first listen with the UX-3. After 3 weeks it was not as organic sounding as the APL, but bettered it in dynamics, lows, and even the highs. I have finally broken in the statement level modifications that Steve Huntley (GNSC) did to my UX-3 and all I can say is: "WOW"!!!!! The UX-3 is clearly a great platform and very good in its own right. In stock form, it's a tossup between the older APL3910, but modified it has surpassed all of what I thought possible from a high-end player. |
Good God, maybe I should look at the UX-3 or UX-1 instead of the DV-60. 2 channel is 75% vs. 25% for video. What is the price difference b/w the DV-60 and the UX-3 and UX-1? |
Hi. I just had an DV-60 on trial vs. a dealers DV-50 S as I´ve just upgraded from DV-50 S to UX-3 SE.
On SACD and CD I clearly prefer the stock DV-50 S over the DV-60 - which is - according to the dealer designed for optimized DVD playback. On DVD the DV-60 is - no surprise -better than DV-50 S as it offers 1080i with a Faroudja (wrongly spelled?) chip. BUT: The old DV-50 S is much heavier (8kgs.). 21,8kg vs. 14kg (DV-60).
Hope this helps. |
UX-1 is universal multichannel. X-01 is CD and SACD multichannel. |
Canucks0: I own a DV-50S and for the past two weeks have been breaking in my new UX-1 Limited. All I can tell you is that the difference between the 50S and the UX-1 Ltd is monumental, both in the audio and the video sections. Mind you, I was very happy with the DV-50S and I use it just for redbook and for DVD-V (so please don't ask me about the other SACD or alphabet soup options).
I think the DV-50S is a stellar performer and a piece of gear that will last you centuries. But I had a great opportunity to get the UX-1 Ltd and I just couldn't pass it up. I'm sure that you want to hear a detailed review but my reaction to the UX-1, stone cold, right out of the box was just "oh my God! Wow!" I did the classic double-take... It's amazing how much detail the UX-1 Ltd can suck out of a little disc.
Now, some may consider that too analystic or "dry" or "uninvolving" or all those other nonsensical adjectives that are bantied about but (to repeat) "Oh my God! Wow!" is the most succinct way to describe the UX-1 Ltd (and I would assume, the UX-1). |
I am wanting a universal player and enjoy the DV-50S already. I wonder if the leap to the UX-3 or UX-1 would fit the bill. I don't think these units do multi channel audio either (not that I spend alot of time listening to this mode, but the option IS nice). Any UX-3 owners out there? |
I don't think there is multi channel audio with the X03. |
True, but DV-60 still does not have a true VRDS Neo transport. . . Why not get an X-03, which is not terribly more expensive than DV-60? |
Haven't heard it but I dod speak with one of the Esoteric Techs and one major change vs. the DV50s is that it has an Esoteric built tranport where as the DV50s used the Pioneer. |
