Esoteric DV50S, Any Plans to Discontinue?


I'm interested in upgrading my Mark Levinson No. 39 to the Esoteric DV50S. I'm considering this highly regarded machine for it's 2-channel redbook CD and Video playback ability. I don't do multi-channel audio.

I've notice the used prices falling for this unit, and also some retailers are agressively discounting the price on new players.

Has anyone heard any information about why the prices of these machines are softening? Or, the future of the DV50S? Is a discontinuation or model change being planned?

Thanks.
george3

Showing 2 responses by redwoodgarden

If you want to upgrade, look into the $8,000 Esoteric UX-3 Universal Player instead of the $6,000 DV-50S. For a couple thousand more, the UX-3 is light years ahead of the DV-50S in quality of construction, and sound. Today the ML-39 equivalent is the ML-390S which goes for $6,700 and specializes only in CDs. To get the same quality CD playback in a universal player, you would have to spend at least $8000. Remember that a universal player has SACD, DVD, DVD-A, as well as 2 channel redbook CD.

An alternative plan would be to upgrade the ML-39 to the ML-390S for $6700, and buy a cheap Universal Player for $1,300. Personally, I think the first idea makes much more sense.
Dbld I didn't know that . Thanks for the headsup. My plan is to use the Logic 7 in the Lexicon MC-4 Digital Processor to create the multichannels from 2 channels on the DVD-A, and SACD discs. I've ben told that the MC-4 does a better job in most cases than what is on the original disc. For example, some multichannel discs have musical instruments coming out the rear speakers; whereas the MC-4 uses the back speakers for ambience only. This is the correct procedure in my opinion.