I reluctantly bought the PST as I have been unhappy with the non stable performance of my DMP. I can say the PST is operationally better than the DMP. The tick I get when first starting up an SACD is very tiny if it is there at all. Discs load quicker. I have been breaking it in by leaving it on playing wav files from the USB port. It does make a clunk when you open the drawer when it reaches it’s full open position and does the same on full close. The tray has very shallow cut outs for the disc which open up the possibility of having a disc slide out of position when loading. I have about 150 hours on it and I have yet to hear the Grand Canyon difference mentioned by Paul. At this point it is not even Watkin’s Glenn which is a small upstate gorge in New York State. I am wondering if it is ever going to get there.
Ok, I’ll bite. The Grand Canyon is in Arizona. You are very welcome.
Obviously that was not the one either I or Paul was referring too!
I stand corrected! It must be the Grand Canyon in Mississippi
There is another Grand Canyon? Where? 
mine was Grand Canyon even before break-in (replaced DMP which I liked very much)…
Yes there is… Little Grand Canyon in Pennsylvania!
Wish I could say the same. Don’t just swap out the transports with pre conceived notions in place. Set up both with same cables and duplicate discs, sync them up and compare what you hear. The differences become much smaller, if any under those circumstances.
Gorgeous!
If you are dissatisfied, return it.
As to the significance of the improvement, keep in mind the hyperbole of audiophiles as well as the differences in systems and perceptions. What may be an ocean’s difference to you may be a puddle to others.
comparisons were done with strict testing protocols; just a different system and preferences, good thing you can return it…
That about sums it up. With one’s expectations being so high going into it, first impressions are bound to be unauthentic.
It’s just like when a friend takes me to “the best restaurant in the world!” I become hypercritical of everything. If everything isn’t literally perfect, I’m let down. If I was simply able to form my own opinion without the predisposed, sky high expectation, I likely would have had a better experience eating at the restaurant.
The same applies when you hear raves about a movie or show. I so want to be impressed sometimes the hyperbole spoils the fun.
James was his usual kind, accommodating self, giving me plenty of time to compare the two, which I did–a lot.
I heard a big enough improvement to spend the money.
Oh and it’s Arizona.
The second picture is particularly impressive and beautiful.
Hyperbole can indeed spoil the fun of experiencing something new.
My very reason for posting. I wanted to temper the overkill so others will not go into this thinking they have found the Holy Grail and expecting that. I am not unhappy with the PST. I am happy to no longer have the DMP. I know there will be further break in with time. I do also have the PWT which is a great machine full of features to satisfy for those things I miss in the PST.
As a beta tester and early purchaser of the PST, I am also happy with my decision. For me, the improvement was there out of the box, with the initial software, and further improved with one of the subsequent upgrades. Sorry it didn’t float your boat or significantly move the bar with your system,
but that’s the beauty of a no hassle return policy.