Emotiva XDA-2 DAC

[Scott Dolan]

It's quite the cautionary tale, isn't it?

Human hearing may be limited, but the ability to bullshit ourselves is completely limitless.

[Stefan Wood]

Careful.

[jazzbo]

Yup. That includes people who bullshit themselves into not hearing things.

[Scott Dolan]

If sound waves reach your ear at a frequency you're able to hear, you can't simply wish them away.

BTW, having now experienced two different version of Audyssey and the proprietary EmoQ I am reasonably convinced that automatic room correction is more smoke and mirrors than anything. Just reinforces why I have never been a fan of EQ's to begin with. Well, except when I first started out and had a really shitty system that needed all the help it could get. But, I've heard cymbals in person many, MANY times. I know what they're supposed to sound like. So don't put me through several minutes of test tones only to give me playback that makes cymbals sound like someone hitting a cheap piece of aluminum with metal spoons. "Neutral" response, my ass. Boosting levels from 2K and up anywhere from .25 to 3dB, with a Q slope as high as 8+ is NOT creating a neutral setting.

Emotiva has built some rock solid equipment, but pardon me if I bypass all tone controls just as I did with my old Harman Kardon. For all the faults my Polks have, reproducing a deep and heavy cymbal has never been one of them. Hell, it may be their one true strength.

[Scott Dolan]

OH! And one thing I'd like to add is that device triggers are the greatest invention ever!

Just hit the power button for the pre-amp, and it will automatically power up both the amp and the DAC via mini to mini connectors. Very, very cool. Especially since the amp doesn't have a remote control.

Naturally, Emotiva didn't invent this, but it's the first time I've ever experienced it.

[mjzee]

Emotiva has a 10% off sale this weekend. Enter code: EMOTIVACLUB at time of purchase and the discount will pop up.