Esoteric DV50S, Any Plans to Discontinue?

I am wondering the same thing. I get the feeling that blu-ray software (especially for music) might be hard to come by for quite a while after the hardware is available, so to enjoy things now, there is still a need for the DV-50. Not to mention the ability to play all the software we already own.

Nevertheless, even certified dealers seem to be discounting this machine. Perhaps because they need to compete with AudiogoN since it seems there is always at least one available here, and they are so reliable, that buying one pre-owned is relatively low risk.

Esoteric was showing a DV-60, I think a prototype, at CES, saying it will be out later this year.

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.

But the UX-3 does not do multi-channel DVD-A/SACD...FWTW. I have a lot of DVD-A and SACD and still find myself mostly listening to them in two-channel.

any thoughts on how the UX3 compares to the X0-3? i know the latter doesn't play any DVD formats, but does that mean its substantially better for CD & SACD?

rhyno