Esoteric VRDS-NEO not reading discs

Sorry to hear about your Esoteric issue.

 I wish I had a answer.  I would contact Bill Thalman and make an inquiry as to availability and possible repair. He is excellent and I have used him for Conrad Johnson repairs/mods in the past and he was prompt, professional and reasonable.

I would NOT send it to Esoteric if it is the same outfit that is the Teac repair facility in California.  My friend and I have both used the Teac repair and  had very disappointing experiences. (both Teac reel to reel machines so not Esoteric)

I have a XO3SE and K01.  Both purchased used.  Both have been extremally enjoyable and rock solid reliable.  I also had a SCD-777ES and the Esoteric was vastly superior at least in my system.  Most of my audio friends who listened agreed.

IF you decide to keep it and get it fixed  and find someone who can reliably fix it at a reasonable price PLEASE let me know as I intend to keep mine chugging.

A little disappointing as it is a high end Japanese product and the Japanese are usually great at keeping customers happy (at least they used to be). 

Good luck and sorry to hear. 

Russ,

He runs Music Technology and on the website he does list sacd/cd repair service. I have a lot of respect for Bill and if he can take it on I am confident that he can fix it if the special alignment jig is not required for the repair.  Otherwise I guess you are stuck with dealing with Esoteric (Although Teac will never touch my reel to reel again God willing).

In any event I wish you the best and hope you can resolve it with as little pain as possible.  I did not come here to slag other players but the Esoteric handily made other players seem anemic.  My buddy had an Oppo that a lot of folks oohed and aahed over and the Esoteric was so superior it was laughable. Of course at the price it better be, right?

Seriously Man, Good Luck and let us know how the dust settles.

Thanks for the update Russ.

I look forward (with trepidation) about how your issue is resolved.   I will do everything I can to avoid the California place if and when mine needs service.  My friend and I both had terrible experiences with that place.  The damn jig needed for alignment is what I fret over.

Owning a K01 which I really enjoy your issue very relevant in how you get dealt with.  

Hope they make it right and it is spinning flawlessly at some point

Peace!

Russ, Greetings

Have you got the K01 squared away and spinning?

Curious how you made out with the repair and if it is completed to your satisfaction?

Appreciate an update.

Cheers

Thanks for the update Russ.  Very disappointing and kind of what I expected from TAP.  That place will not get my business unless I am forced to use it.

I agree that a player of that build and price should be much more reliable.  In a cosmic universal joke my K01 has started to give me the tray error so I get to live the dream. I sold the X03SE a couple of months ago and sorry I did not retain it for a backup.  I did bring up this thread to the purchaser as I brought up the reliability issue as a potential issue down the road.

I am a dinosaur so my plan is to purchase a Denon or Yamaha SACD player as the price will probably be cheaper or consistent with a shipping and repair bill. I also listen to vinyl most of the time so not overly concerned about the sonics.

Esoteric are sonically fantastic but man oh man their reliability and repair facility are a joke.  Very shoddy from a high end Japanese audio company.  The Japanese used to be first rate in support but I guess those days are over.

Sorry to hear it and thanks for letting us know how it turned out. 

Peace