I am 62 years old and have been in the hobby for 45+ years. Early on most of my systems were mass market and Mid-fi. An awful lot of Adcom, Yamaha, Hafler, Carver and B&K... went through my home and my systems. Now you are more likely to find Audio Research, Esoteric, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, Rogue Audio... As well as other high-end and boutique brands. I also play with vintage gear and modern high-value electronics as well. While I love my expensive electronics I get particular Joy from modern high value components that sound as good or nearly as good as the higher priced spread. These include Odyssey, Rotel, Marantz and Emotiva. I have owned and heard a number of Emotiva pieces. I find them to range from very good for the money to truly excellent! One of my best Audio buddies has the XDA-2 DAC in his main system. I have always found it to be engaging. I had the original XPA-2 amplifier. At the same time I had the Parasound Halo A-21 and a Mark Levinson 532H amplifier on hand as well. The 75 lb. EMO drove my KEF blade two speakers as well as any amplifier that I have owned (I currently use a Mac 452). I sold the Parasound and Levinson and kept the EMOTIVA. The fellow who purchased the EMOTIVA from me has more high end/exotic gear than anyone I know. He uses the XPA 2 On speakers that are difficult to drive. Every time I see him he tells me how much he loves that amplifier. More recently I had the BASX preamplifier and A-300 Amplifier in a spare bedroom system. They aquitted themselves well and even pinch-hit in the big rig for my Mac amp and preamp while they were away for a check up. Emotiva is today’s Adcom/Hafler. There is nothing wrong with that!
