Audio GD versus Emotiva

[BlueFox]

A couple of days ago in a DAC thread I heard about a company called Audio GD. I had never heard of them before so I looked them up on the web. They appear to be a Chinese audio manufacturer. That is, they have no presence in the United States, except for dealers. Since they are pure Chinese their costs must be very low. Yet, their prices are higher than Emotiva's prices for similar gear.

Of course, that raises the question of why are the Emotiva prices so low. We are told it is because they are made in China. Is Audio GD gouging customers, or do they have a better audio product which costs more to make. I have seen a few posts from Emotiva users stating that higher priced gear is not any better than Emotiva gear. So, can it be that while Emotiva does make good gear for the price it is possible that better gear exists, but at a higher price.



http://www.audio-gd.com/En%20audio-gd.htm

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

The Audio GD gear I've heard sounds spectacular. I was not that impressed with the Emotiva DAC.

Based on what I've heard the Audio GD is worth the extra cost.

[nooshinjohn]

I think popcorn may be in order... I'll get some popping'. Who's got the Sam Adam's?

[zane77]

Did you start this on purpose?

[EndersShadow]

As an Audio GD owner all I need to say is look at the build quality of their units from the pics. Then look at all the reviews of their gear. Then factor in the owner responds to threads on high fi with explanations on why choices were made on dacs and layout. Add in he then listens to what folks want and is constantly revising his gear to meet those needs and it makes sense why its costs more. Its a better product than Emotiva IMHO.

I would gladly buy their gear again. Also lets be honest, most of us look used in which case the cost of a unit will be lower than new.

So to answer your original post, yes IMHO its a better product worth paying more for from a company that is extremely responsive to both customers needs (with new products) and questions about why one DAC was chosen over another, how to troubleshoot products ect.

I also failed to mention that if an upgrade comes out for your unit that makes it better, they make those boards/parts availible either for you to purchase and install yourself or send it back and they will upgrade it for you.

Case and point, my NFB-5 could have the parts in the link below added to it to upgrade it to the new NFB-5.2:

http://www.audio-gd.com/Pro/Headphon...5EN_Custom.htm

[Nhpm510]

the gear looks interesting.
I find most Emo amp to have too high of gain.

Looks like better parts than Emo and fully balanced (least the one I looked at).

[michael1947]

Yes, the gain is a tad too high but knowing this and the reason why allows me to control the volume. On balanced units and build quality I feel they are very near the top. My 2 channel is balanced from my DAC/Pre to my CD to my Parasound...very, very quiet and detailed. You would have to drop a lot of coin to best this rig.

[BlueFox]

Did you start this on purpose?

If this is directed to me then the answer is yes. While it is easy to accidentally reply to a wrong thread, it is hard to not start a thread on purpose.

Anyway, the first thought that came to me when I was looking at the Audio GD gear is that the prices are higher. With this thread I wanted to find out if somebody could spend a few more dollars and get better gear, or if the Emo gear is the best, and anything costing more is not worth it. My feeling is while the Emo gear is good, in the end, you get what you pay for.

Since my only experience with Emo is their CD player, which did sound good, I thought it might be interesting to get some comparisons between the two different Chinese manufacturers.

One of the benefits of these Internet forums is the ability to provide information. Of course, one of the drawbacks is many people provide false, and incorrect information. Exhibit one is Roger Russell, and others who claim cables make no difference. When false information is given then we should try to provide accurate information to help those who are learning. On the other hand, some people never learn, but that is their problem.

[heiney9]

The Audio GD gear I've heard sounds spectacular. I was not that impressed with the Emotiva DAC.

Based on what I've heard the Audio GD is worth the extra cost.

Ditto!

[Toolfan66]

Ditto!

You have heard the Emotiva DAC?

[headrott]

I built my own DAC..........

[halenhoang]

All because products are Chinese does not equate to poor quality. Of the millions of products that they produce, there will be bad ones. Difference? The associate press baited you like fools long ago. Get over it. Take some bad things and exploit it. Only idiots cant reason beyond it. I could list an endless list of piss poor products from any country, yes.. Even the states.

Ignorance......

[halenhoang]

Get your popcorn ready, I am ready to mow down the idiots.

[BlueFox]

I built my own DAC..........

Did you also put your pants on by yourself?

[headrott]

All because products are Chinese does not equate to poor quality. Of the millions of products that they produce, there will be bad ones. Difference? The associate press baited you like fools long ago. Get over it. Take some bad things and exploit it. Only idiots cant reason beyond it. I could list an endless list of piss poor products from any country, yes.. Even the states.

Ignorance......

I call BS. I have been studying Chinese made crap for almost 20 years now. I've used this Chinese crap and had it fail and have seen items others use fail quickly over and over and over. Are there exceptions (i.e. that some Chinese made items are made to a higher quality? Sure. But, they are the exception and not even close to the standard.) I do not need any media telling me what fails and doesn't fail from China. I have experienced it first hand over and over and over. That said, if you like purchasing the same item over and over and over after a quick failure, then hey go for it and enjoy.............

[headrott]

Did you also put your pants on by yourself?

Usually only one leg at a time.

Edit: The point of that post was that others can build their own and don't have to settle for a Chinese made one................

[BlueFox]

Get your popcorn ready, I am ready to mow down the idiots.

All because products are Chinese does not equate to poor quality. Of the millions of products that they produce, there will be bad ones. Difference? The associate press baited you like fools long ago. Get over it. Take some bad things and exploit it. Only idiots cant reason beyond it. I could list an endless list of piss poor products from any country, yes.. Even the states.

Ignorance......

I think you are in the wrong thread, or daylight saving time change is scrambling your thinking. Nobody is saying Chinese products are of poor quality. Typed as I listen to my Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers built in China.

Edit: Oops, maybe I was a bit to late with this post. Anyway, the point here is not the quality of Chinese products in general, but, rather, can you get better gear than Emo by spending a few more dollars. Xenophobes on both sides try to stay on-track.

[EndersShadow]

I built my own DAC..........

link?

[headrott]

link?

There have been a few modifications to this since these pictures were taken, but it'll give you an idea...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...r-tube-output.

[headrott]

I think you are in the wrong thread, or daylight saving time change is scrambling your thinking. Nobody is saying Chinese products are of poor quality. Typed as I listen to my Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers built in China.

Edit: Oops, maybe I was a bit to late with this post. Anyway, the point here is not the quality of Chinese products in general, but, rather, can you get better gear than Emo by spending a few more dollars. Xenophobes on both sides try to stay on-track.

I am......with some exceptions.

[halenhoang]

Hahaha. Oh boy. Lets get this started

[EndersShadow]

There have been a few modifications to this since these pictures were taken, but it'll give you an idea...

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/show...r-tube-output.

LOL, probably waaayyy outta my price range for something like that even if built by someone for free lol..

[halenhoang]

The Chinese have been around millennial compared tovwhat you could understand. Hmmmmm why so? It is not complicated.

[audiocr381ve]

I'm a fan of Emotiva, but not the XDA-1 DAC that I had. It was sterile & bright IMO. I have not heard the XDA-2 so I can't comment on their current DAC's.

[headrott]

The Chinese have been around millennial compared tovwhat you could understand. Hmmmmm why so? It is not complicated.

Sir, you are never going to convince me that the average imported Chinese made item is as well made as something from Germany, Japan, England, or the USA (unless it is a specialized item that originated in China of course). Never. As I have said, I have been paying attention (studying) to the Chinese imports for almost 20 years. No really, 20 years. I have nothing against the Chinese people, it is what they export to other countries (including the USA) that I have a problem with (with some exceptions). If my personal expreriences with Chinese made items has brainwashed me, hell haven't we all been brainwashed then?

[teekay0007]

A couple of days ago in a DAC thread I heard about a company called Audio GD. I had never heard of them before so I looked them up on the web. They appear to be a Chinese audio manufacturer. That is, they have no presence in the United States, except for dealers. Since they are pure Chinese their costs must be very low. Yet, their prices are higher than Emotiva's prices for similar gear.

Of course, that raises the question of why are the Emotiva prices so low. We are told it is because they are made in China. Is Audio GD gouging customers, or do they have a better audio product which costs more to make. I have seen a few posts from Emotiva users stating that higher priced gear is not any better than Emotiva gear. So, can it be that while Emotiva does make good gear for the price it is possible that better gear exists, but at a higher price.

So, you say Audio GD has dealers in the United States? Dealers = Higher Costs.

Emotiva = Online only, no dealers and therefore, Lower Costs.

Nice try though...Happy Trolling!

[headrott]

I've had a couple of Audio gd dacs. Nfb2 & now a reference 5. They are great value for money. A freind of mine has Emotiva gear and is very happy with it.
I think Audio gd is more 2 channel focused which I like.

It makes me laugh how some talk of so called **** from china and good quality from Japan. I'm old enough to remember when it was "jap crap". Even if I make my own dac where do you think the electronics are going to come from?

The bold part of your statement is the important part.

I have built my own DAC (in a post above is a link to it) and it does not contain a single piece I purchased and soldered into it that came from China. Please do not try to compare current Japanese made items with current Chinese made ones. It doesn't fly...

[Braddles]

The bold part of your statement is the important part.

I have built my own DAC (in a post above is a link to it) and it does not contain a single piece I purchased and soldered into it that came from China. Please do not try to compare current Japanese made items with current Chinese made ones. It doesn't fly...

I your opinion.

[gdb]

China may produce some worthwhile goods but.......their long-run track record for product quality, environment & plain old human rights/ decency (not to mention hygiene ) is abysmal ! They are turning their country into a toxic Hell, with zero regard for the ultimate consequences. Whenever I have the option, I will always buy non-Chinese products. Oh......and no melamine for my dog's food either, thanks just the same.

[BlueFox]

So, you say Audio GD has dealers in the United States? Dealers = Higher Costs.

You are right. I should have said "representatives", and even that is an assumption. Maybe you have to directly deal with China to buy anything. It can't get cheaper that that.