Emotiva amplifiers review/experience?

You can make a few 'assumptions'...dangerous, I know.

First, While even Bryston (just an example) is built to a price point, they spend time voicing and have a higher parts budget, not to mention higher labor costs. Part which effect voicing are chosen by sound, not primarily the price.

Hi MTBF or MilSpec parts are chosen for some locations. Transistors may be more closely matched for gain and threshold. All non-power resistors will be premium 1% film. Binding posts may be WBT or equiv. Caps likewise. At least Solen or Clarity SA level...or better

Bryston uses (or darn well better) hi-end glass epoxy boards with premium plating. I've done some board level repair and working on that type of board is much preferred to one that is made of some mystery material.

Bryston does a full burn-in and offers a 20 year warranty. When you buy Bryston, you are buying down that warranty, in advance.

Worth the extra money? Only you the buyer can decide. Some persons also believe in supporting 'the home team' which would include US or Canadian products. I already know nothing is 'pure' anything, but would like the labor to stay here.

I don't think Emotiva is a mistake. Good value. but I keep equipment for long time periods. I have had some stuff for 20 years. That's all gone now, but what I currently own will be with me for a while. I don't get the upgrade bug all that often.

The last amp I had which needed a fix, had been taken out by a power company ZAP, which they paid for.

My friend traded up from a B&K up to the Emotiva amp. More detail and better bass control, depth. Rest of system is a B&K Pro 10 preamp, Maggie speakers, and a Marantz 8004 sacd player. Sounds darn good for the money he's invested in this system. The Emotiva amp seems a great value and probably competes with amps sold in HiFi stores at twice the price.

Personally I would stick with the more well known brands. The biggest losses I've incurred in hifi have been from buying into the hype of the latest greatest from an unknown brand. If you stick with the well known brands like bryston you at least know if you bought it used at a decent price then you won't loose your shorts if you want to sell it and try something else a few years down the line.

9 responses and only 1 mentioned ever listening to emotiva amp. I guess that shows the bias against a company that builds a good product. I own emotiva products and have owned many high end products and in my opinion emotive offers a value and performs well above its price point. obviosly these are better products. arn.t there always?

While I do not own an Emotiva amp, I do own their XDA-1 DAC and it wounds absolutely wonderful. Build quality is first rate. One of the online reviewing magazines tested their 125wpc 2 channel amp which retails for 299.00. He summed it up by saying it sounded as good as amps costing up to 2,000.00 and if it wasn't sold factory direct, the price would be at LEAST 5 times the price due to marketing, middlemen getting their cuts, etc.

I happen to own an Odyssey amp which is a tremendous value for the money, I sold a 3,000.00 Classe power amp because the Odyssey was light years ahead of it in sound.

FYI, Emotiva gives a 30 day money back warranty if you don't like the amp. It's a no brainer to me.