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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.

Looks like a brethen product of PurePower.
Check out their Pure Power Audio Power Supply (APS) for similarities

http://www.purepoweraps.com/aps.htm

06-25-08: Bar81 said:
"I think for 10K, there should be something in writing besides what's out there."

Well, there will be printed writing. Playback Designs is only into the second month of a new product launch. Reviewers actually have in hand production models, rather than pre-production prototypes. If you wait for the print reviews, then you'll be looking at $15,000, not 10k.

Print, verbal, digital, they're only words. Changing the format of the words doesn't change their value. As always, you need to consider the source and place your reliance accordingly.

Anyone actually considering a purchase should consider the validity of the reviews of Mike Lavigne, Ted Smith and David Robinson. They're on record in writing, maybe only digital, but that's my point, putting it on paper doesn't change it's value. A serious prospective buyer must also consider that waiting for other reviewers and, in partcular, waiting on a printed review will cost $5000, because the price will certainly have increase by then.

This is a classic risk vs. reward analysis. Your point is well taken, but we're in a digital age and information is available quicker than it used to be. You either take advantage of that or you don't.

Dave