Write a review of the Dual XDM6810! Please share your experiences to help other people choose the product that's best for them. This is a review site, not a forum, so please don't just ask questions. Please do not use swear words or offensive language, and please, no advertising! Reviewed by BillyLapTop on 09-22-2004
This is Dual's replacement for the problematic model 6800 that lost it's display within weeks of installation. I received this unit as a replacement for the 6800. In fact I deliberately waited months before sending my original one back, hoping that it would had been superceded by an improved model. Dual's turn around time was just under 3 weeks, which was what they told me it would be. The exchange was a seamless process with no problems. I find their customer service satisfactory in this regards. I have had the unit now for one month. It sounds great, works great and so far no display problems. The major difference between this upgraded model and the original 6800 is that the face plate has been redesigned with less buttons for station memories and some functions are accessible more easlier, such as setting tones, fading and balances. The information area is also smaller when compared to the original 6800. Also ergonomically it has some improvements, such as a loudness control that can be accessed directly without going into a programming mode. The radio is sensitive on AM and FM. The MP3 function works without hesitation on all kinds of disks, including CD-RW ones. The one drawback to the faceplate redesign was that the face plate ejection button is very close to the on/off function and for the first week I kept popping the face plate off when trying to turn the unit on and off. I have noticed too that this face plate, which contains lots of circuitry, runs much cooler than the one the 6800 had. In fact the 6800 had a hot spot and I believe that was probably a driver transistor that powered the display and finally the heat killed it causing the display failures. The face plate on the 6810 runs much cooler. I give this model a "3" which is a good rating. The company honored its committment to exchange the bad one with a newer model. The unit has worked flawlessly for a month now and believe me when I tell you I have given it a long burn in time. The 6800 failed within a week or two. I believe they have fixed the problem and the 6810 will be a reliable unit and for the price I see it going for now, a break through unit offering MP3 capability that sounds very good. It even is rated at a few watts higher in power output than the 6800. Still, I thought the 6800 sounded a tad better. But that is really a subjective matter. I see Dual being sold in many venues. They are a bigger company than I had previously thought. They have a website too which is www.dualav.com and one can see what other units they offer. I believe they are trying to do a good job. It was an unfortunate and most inconvenient experience most owners had with the model 6800. The 6810 seems to have rectified that issue. I think this model will be a good choice for the economy buyers who want the most bang for the buck. de BillyLapTop.
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