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Esoteric SA-60

Never have I had such problems with a piece of equipment.  It's connected to the 7.1 bypass array of a Bryston SP3.  The display shows multichannel when I play a surround SACD, but I get sound only from the center channel.  I removed the parallel balanced stereo connection between the SA-60 and SP3, but that had no effect.  I never heard stereo from the SA-60 when I selected the balanced input, but I think I've heard stereo and multichannel from 7.1 bypass.

The trouble seemed to start when I learned that the SP3 does no processing in the bypass modes so provides no speaker management.  I set up speaker management using the menu of the SA-60.  But I've tried clearing the SA-60 memory several times since then.

I hope the problem is pilot error and not a defective SA-60. 

dbphd
dbphd OP
1,058 posts
 
Redbook sounds great played using the Ayre C-5xeMP.  The Sony XA5400ES gets closer to the Ayre with SACDs than it does with CDs.

I played a 5.1 DSD using the SA-60 this morning, then tried a stereo DSD.  The display indicated it was playing and the icons were appropriate for two channels, but there was no sound.  Given that I bought the SA-60 for 5.1 and have the Ayre for stereo, I'm not going to mess with trying to bring up stereo sound with the SA-60, but it is curious.
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
Good to read about resolving the issue-db.
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
db-

how ya doin' out there?  Happy Listening!
dbphd OP
1,058 posts
 
The SA-60 has been the most problem ridden audio device I've ever had.  It usually plays multichannel DSDs, but not always.  I tried the Diana Krall DTS "Love Scenes" without success; I then tried the DSD, and got only surround sound.  Then I tried an Beatles DVD-A, and the surround sound was excellent.  This morning I tried a Corelli multichannel DSD that it has been playing successfully, but this time no sound.  I think I'm going to reinstall the Sony XA5400ES.
jafant's avatar
jafant
10,525 posts
 
DB-

your experiences are the very reasons why I would never set up a surround system. 2- channel is perfectly fine for me!
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