Esoteric dv60

[Anthony A.]

anyone have or tested this player out. it is a universal and quite good for redbook cd. it upsamples to 1080p. anyone?

[PooperScooper]

Check out audiogon, there's been discussion there and some in the uber 20k forum here a little. It uses the ABT scaler chip (goodness), don't know/recall about the deinterlacer (Faroudja rings a bell for some reason).

larry

[Anthony A.]

thanks, i did read those threads (and those on audiogon), seems that the audio is not as good as the 50s, but the video is quite good. wondering if anyone here actually owns one or has tested its video performance to something like a pinoeer or denon. anyone?

[PooperScooper]

It's probably close to the Marantz 9600. It uses the ABT scaler too (and not an HQV deinterlacer like the 5910 which also uses the ABT scaler). I'd get a used DV50 ($2500) for audio and a VP30/ABT102/Oppo 970HD package for video ($2250 new) for about the same price (depending on discount, or used deal) as a DV60 and consider myself coming out ahead, especially on video.

larry

[Anthony A.]

yeah, a few have stated to simply use it for audio and get an external scaler for video. the thing is, i have one too many "boxes" in my setuppand am trying to simplify without hurting any of the performance i have now. i currently use an arc cd3 mk2 cd player and pioneer 79avi dvd player. i was hoping that the dv60 would blow away the pioneer for dvd and atleast be on par with the arc cd player. i really am looking for a one box solution, and don't care for sacd or dvd-a. any other suggestions?

[PooperScooper]

If you are partial to "mods", somebody, I'm sure, will be modding the new upcoming Denon 3930 audio section. The video should be excellent from it unless they totally botch it. Some folks swear by some mods, some don't think they work at all.

larry

[Anthony A.]

ram said they offer a mod for the dv60 that will do the same thing that it did to the dv50s. it is said to improve the dv60's audio to an x01. now that is impressive. the full mod is around $2700 but if it equals or surpasses the x01 audio (which they say it does) then it is a bargain as the stock unit with the mod is still $4k less. but then again, the 50s is a solid performer as well, too bad the video has no hdmi.

[PooperScooper]

I have DV50 and have been thinking about modding it. I go hot and cold. The DV50 is a sweet sounding player and it's possible that the changes may not be to my liking as opposed to somebody elses.

larry

[Anthony A.]

thats true, some prefer mods while others don't. in any case larry, have you ever compared the dv50s 5.1 analogue outputs vs. that of a dedicated pre or receiver? i am wondering if i can eliminate my anthem avm 20 processor and use the dv60 5.1 outs and hopefully not lose any audio. do you have any experience with this?

[PooperScooper]

The only time my DV50 was connected in my HT was to access the setup menu make sure the setup was what I wanted for my 2ch audio setup. I don't know about the DV60, but the DV50 has separate 2ch outputs (singled ended and balanced) from the 6 single ended outputs for 5.1 audio. It is "optimized" for 2ch audio, or so it would appear.

larry

[Anthony A.]

okay, and (sorry) 1 more question in regards to your 50s. does it send a 480i signal over dvi or component? i can't seem to find this info anywhere. thanks again for your help, anthony.

[PooperScooper]

It only has component output (I have the DV50, not the DV50S). It does send 480i via component. Dave (somebody, I forget his forum name, dave<something>) uses a DV50 with a scaler via component and is quite happy. I think he posted in the DV60 thread in the over 20K forum.

larry

[Anthony A.]

if the dv60 uses the faroudja to deinterlace and then the abt to upconvert, does that mean it still will have the macroblocking problem, or is that the case only when the faroudja does all deinterlacing and upconverting? is this the same solution that the denon 5910 uses (ie. faroudja to abt)?

[PooperScooper]

If the DV60 uses the FLI2300 (2310?) like the Denons, Oppo 971, etc, then MB could be an issue. It happens in the deinterlacing, IIRC. The Denon 5190 uses the Silicon Optix HQV deinterlacer and ABT scaler. The Marantz 9600 uses a Pio deinterlacer and ABT scaler.

larry

[javry]

Originally Posted by Anthony A.

okay, and (sorry) 1 more question in regards to your 50s. does it send a 480i signal over dvi or component? i can't seem to find this info anywhere. thanks again for your help, anthony.

If I remember correctly, it sends 480i over component. When you go with the upgrade to S series, you get a DVI out [HDCP] here's what their web page says of the upgrade:

The original DV-50 up sampled to a maximum of 8X for interlaced and 4X for progressive scanning. The new DAC improves the up sampling to 16X for interlaced and 8X for progressive scanning. This significantly improves the video playback quality on all the analog video output connections.

If you own a High Definition television with an HDCP compliant DVI input, you can now feed a digital video signal directly to your digital television.

I had the upgrade done on my unit and thought it was great. But truthfully, the only thing they did, I think was add the DVI output to it. There is no change to the audio that I know of.

[Anthony A.]

do you use the dvi to a scaler and of so, how is it? do you use a dvi to hdmi adaptor in this case?


oh, and 1 more thing. im still a little confused. does the dvi output 480i?

[javry]

Originally Posted by Anthony A.

do you use the dvi to a scaler and of so, how is it? do you use a dvi to hdmi adaptor in this case?


oh, and 1 more thing. im still a little confused. does the dvi output 480i?

If I remember correctly, I ran component to an I Scan HD Plus when I first bought it. That was without DVI. The DVI with the upgrade is HDCP and my PJ [Sim2 300 Plus at the time] was not. So I couldn't use the it. Later I upgraded the PJ to the 300e which was HDCP but the processor still wasn't so I had to bypass it. At the time, I thought the component to the 300e looked every bit as good as what I got through DVI. I don't remember whether the unit would send 480i over DVI or not. I remember toggling between interlaced and progresive all the time but I'm thinking that was with component. I don't have the unit anymore. I sold it just before moving overseas.

[PooperScooper]

I doubt 480i would be sent via DVI. That would take some special doing in the player and the DV50 has off-the-shelf video components.

larry

[GMUGNIER]

Anthony A. yeah, a few have stated to simply use it for audio and get an external scaler for video. the thing is, i have one too many "boxes" in my setuppand am trying to simplify without hurting any of the performance i have now. i currently use an arc cd3 mk2 cd player and pioneer 79avi dvd player. i was hoping that the dv60 would blow away the pioneer for dvd and atleast be on par with the arc cd player. i really am looking for a one box solution, and don't care for sacd or dvd-a. any other suggestions?

Anthony A - I just purchased a DV 60 and I am very disappointed with the audio performance - I can't believe that they didn't put a AES/BEU jack on, or for that matter put two DAC's on then analog side - I would like the audio to be close to the CD III MK II as well - I have just auditioned the CD 7 in my system, and man is that AWESOME!! - The details and the sounds are just incredible!! - The player builds EACH and EVERY note to such a crescendo that it just blows my mind - I wouldn't expect the DV60 to sound that good but it would be nice if I could get it close - but so far no cigar... - I have managed to squeeze a few more details out by adding a modded DAC III but I would like to know if anyone else has experience with a aftermarket company that would mod my DV60 and maybe outperform the CD 7 - any and all feed back would be appreciated... - OH by the way - the VIDEO is INCREDIBLE - I think the best way to put it - is the video offers as much detail as the AR CD 7 offers in the audio section.. it is mind blowing - I am outputting 1080p to my Anthem D2 and sending it native to my display - It is GREAT!!! - now if i could just get the best of both worlds-- Damm sure is frustrating when you spend this kind of coin only to be disappointed.

[javry]

IMO, it's going to be pretty hard to beat a tubed CD player/transport with a SS universal. Just my opinion of course. Sounds to me like you're at the almighty point of divergence....where excellence in audio and excellence in HT start drifting apart. For the life of me, I don't know why it has to be that way. I know a few folks who have managed to synergize their gear into one system that will give them top performance in both but they had to get really creative and do things similar to what you're thinking about. BTW, since you like the video, what display are you using?

[PooperScooper]

Originally Posted by GMUGNIER

Anthony A - I just purchased a DV 60 and I am very disappointed with the audio performance - I can't believe that they didn't put a AES/BEU jack on, or for that matter put two DAC's on then analog side - I would like the audio to be close to the CD III MK II as well - I have just auditioned the CD 7 in my system, and man is that AWESOME!! - The details and the sounds are just incredible!! - The player builds EACH and EVERY note to such a crescendo that it just blows my mind - I wouldn't expect the DV60 to sound that good but it would be nice if I could get it close - but so far no cigar... - I have managed to squeeze a few more details out by adding a modded DAC III but I would like to know if anyone else has experience with a aftermarket company that would mod my DV60 and maybe outperform the CD 7 - any and all feed back would be appreciated... - OH by the way - the VIDEO is INCREDIBLE - I think the best way to put it - is the video offers as much detail as the AR CD 7 offers in the audio section.. it is mind blowing - I am outputting 1080p to my Anthem D2 and sending it native to my display - It is GREAT!!! - now if i could just get the best of both worlds-- Damm sure is frustrating when you spend this kind of coin only to be disappointed.

This is the very reason I decided to split audio from video. You can have a hard time getting the performance you want out of each (audio and video) in any given single box. Upgrading audio or video means upgrading/changing both. I got so carried away I split audio into a separate room.

larry

[Anthony A.]

man, this really sucks. i really hoped the dv60's audio would be good. a few on audiogon stated is wasn't as good as the dv50s. i would pay for the ux3se if it had hdmi or even if it had 480i via dvi, and then use a scaler. man, im really bummed out now.

[javry]

Originally Posted by Anthony A.

man, this really sucks. i really hoped the dv60's audio would be good. a few on audiogon stated is wasn't as good as the dv50s. i would pay for the ux3se if it had hdmi or even if it had 480i via dvi, and then use a scaler. man, im really bummed out now.

you might wan to talk with Esoteric about it. The may have plans for an upgrade. I used to email them all the time. If I remember correctly, they were pretty responsive.

[Argo1]

Hello, Anthony.I am (was?) salivating while waiting for my DV-60 to arrive, but not so sure after reading about your experience with it. You see, I also have decided to reshape my HT a bit, after all, they say you don't have to have separates to consider yourself an audiofile, right? So I've started looking for ideal universal transport, spent sleepless nights actually dreaming about one- yeah, that's how it is with me - and was very happy when actually found one - Esoteric it is. Went for audition,they didn't have DV-60 yet, so it was UX-1 instead, was impressed so much that immideatley ordered DV-60. Yes, I understand the difference in price and so on, but after reading reviews on DV-50 and DV-50S, I sad to myself - well, V-60 should be even better, bingo, and now... Oh, man, you are breaking my heart... May be it was faulty unit or something? Have you called them yet? Sorry to bombard you with all these questions, it's that I am really
p-d off. Thank you.

[Argo1]

Yes, it has happened - I received my DV-60 at last and... Man, I can't stop spinning .
I am absolutely stunned with upconversion results - Red Book CDs never sounded better and believe me (don't take it as a bragging, please) I have a system good enough to be convinced even though I am not some golden ear music critic. Now, about video performance - I haven't spent enough time watching, but so far I like what I see.
Unfortun. I can't go all the way - 1080p is not an option for me now simply because my CRT+ Faroudja 1000 processor don't accept HDMI signal, so component it is . I've connected them side by side - DV-60 and Denon 5900, both through component and going to spend some time watching. By the way, there is one strange artifact I've encountered while adjusting DV-60's sharpness at VIDEO- video adjust - memory 1 -sharpness. After filling the third bar, increase - top portion of the image gets distorted, the way it was old days when adjusting tracking control on the VCR. And it stays like this no matter what -unless you stop video and start over again. Has anything like this occurred to yours? Please, let me know. Anyway, regardless this - I hope minor - trouble - I am completely happy with my new spinner. And one more question - do you know, why there's no analog section here, at the forum, I mean? Happy listening, man.

[javry]

man...you sound awfully happy:>)

[Anthony A.]

perhaps that can be a faulty component connector? i would try out a different set of component cables, also could be some interference or crosstalk between wires? perhaps it could be similar to a speaker that is too close to a tv and causes distortion through interference (magnetic, it think) that would need shielding? try these out and see if the problem persists. if still, i would email esoteric or the dealer. please let us know, im curious as i still haven't given up on this player. thanks.

[Argo1]

First step I've taken - took it back to dealer and asked to replace the unit itself. Just in case, you know. Haven't tried it out yet - but going to, didn't have much time to start tweaking. By the way, aside of this issue, yesterday I was happy to see that DV-60 clearly won competition with 5900. There is a scene in "The Lord of the Rings", Return of the King - i'd say it's chapter 6 or 7, night scene, when Aragorn talks to Legolas and there's starry night view - so, with 5900 you can't make stars out much - you sort of guessing that they are there. But with DV-60 - you can count each and every star. It's so cool, man, to be able to see what difference new technology makes. And I must say, even it's not broken in yet, the picture is stunning, almos Hi def like. I'm just wondering - when formats war is over and if there's a winner and we all have new HiDef spinners and... Ok, just getting too emotional.

[Anthony A.]

it would be nice to know if the dv60 exhibits macroblocking using hdmi since it does use the faroudja chip. can you confirm this?

[Argo1]

I am not ashamed to admit that I don't have a clue. But hey, after 2 days of service the weirdest thing happened - all of the sudden the center channel output ( out of 5.1 analog) failed. Brand new, out of the box, etc... Amazing, ha? May be I should've not given the first unit back to dealer... It was working so nicely ( except for that little sharpness thingy). Well. I guess I'll continue with exchanges but for how long?