Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

--- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "emf" <liberatusvirus@y...> wrote:
> --- In DTXpress@yahoogroups.com, "jonddf" <jonddf@a...> wrote:
> > Anyone know anything about this kit? The seller on Ebay says it's 
> > superior to the DTXPRESS 1&2 ?!?!
> 
> Hi Jon,
> 
> I took a look at the listing. The seller is accurate and 
> comprehensive about what the kit and module are and do. The module, 
> in particular, is much more user-friendly and comprehensive in 
> certain features that are still relevant than any of the DTXpress 
> modules are. What the seller doesn't tell you is that this 
particular 
> unit w/pads is the oldest in the Yamaha lineup, and it has been 
> discontinued for longest time. It occupied the middle ground 
between 
> the Xpress I and the Xtreme (before it was discontinued) and was a 
> relative bargain at the time. Although the basic technology of 
> triggering hasn't altered much for years, subsequent Yamaha 
offerings 
> carry improvements based on time testing that the DTX v2.0 doesn't 
> have. The size of the kit and the extra dual-zone input are 
definite 
> advantages, but the old rubber pads were not as responsive as those 
> on the DTXpress II (the sellers' are probably even less responsive 
> given their age). The KP80 kick and HH80 hat controller are better 
> than what the DTXpress I had, but I'm not so sure that I'd see 
either 
> as an advantage over their counterparts in the DTXpress II, 
> especially after all this time. The designs got better, at least 
for 
> the kick. The rack is not as collapsible as that of the DTXpress II.
> 
> That's the short story. A lot of people still own or buy this kit 
and 
> are happy with it (check out the Yamaha DTX Group). If you want a 
> good unit that probably won't fall apart any time soon, and the 
price 
> is right, you could do worse. However, if staying more current, 
using 
> three-sound pads, starting from scratch with new pads, and having 
the 
> benefit of nearly ten years' R&D appeals to you, I'd pass on it. 
The 
> DTXpress II and III, by virtue of their youth alone, are hard to 
> beat; the age of the DTX v2.0 carries risks that count, 
particularly 
> after a certain price point. Check the ebay price on the module 
> alone; I don't think that it fetches more than $250 these days.
> 
> Ed
----------------------------------------
Thanks for the comprehensive reply, Ed.....and also for comments from 
Chris. I got the impression it was old gear from the pic on the 
advert but I guess I wanted my suspicions confirmed. As per earlier 
comments made on this forum, the DTXPRESS II is not too easy to come 
by. I sounded out Piedog.com who're making noises about the kit being 
in some post Christmas offer, but have they got one in stock? No! The 
authorities should outlaw the practise of advertising with nil stock. 
This is particularly evident in the Hi-Fi market here in the UK. It 
seems whenevers there's a bargain to be had, they don't have it in 
stock.