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The Playback Designs player looks like one of the vintage VCR players from the early 80's. Maybe it is different in person, but it does look cheap. I can't believe they would make something that expensive that ugly.

Arbuckle, it's not ugly at all in person. Hopefully a professional photographer will soon take some shots with proper lighting and you'll see the fine finish and actual "handsome" exterior that goes with the superlative internal technology.

Dave

Concur, although I think it would have been fine if they had kept the edges straight instead of having them draw back. For me though, my big issue with that player is the scarcity of information; you would think that if it was using an Esoteric transport, that would be prominently indicated. I don't have 10K of faith in me.

Bar81, your lack of faith is understandable. I wavered myself and got on the phone with Jonathan, Andreas, Mike Lavigne and others. Given my appetite for risk, it was worth it, but I'd suspect that most would not find that risk acceptable.

Frankly, besides the comforting discussions with the principals, the words of Mike, Ted Smith and David Robinson are what really set me in motion. I think most prospective owners will want to wait until another CES has gone by, some reviews show up in print and a few more dealers sign up. The risk profile will drop over time.

Dave

I think for 10K, there should be something in writing besides what's out there.