Audio GD versus Emotiva

[BlueFox]

Why anyone thinks this thread is about the quality of Chinese manufacturing is beyond me. The point was, and still is, the contention that the reason why Emo is able to price so low is because the gear is made in China, and not because the level of audio design and sound quality is at the lower end of the scale. It occurred to me that if that was true then why is Audio GD priced higher, since they are a pure Chinese company. Based on responses, it appears that Audio GD uses better parts, and the circuit designs result in better sound. Hence the higher price.

While I expected that to be the reason, it is nice to read responses from people who have the gear. However, it also confirms the premise that Emo gear is good, solid, entry level gear, and not a replacement for better gear at higher prices.

[Jhayman]

You don't its clearly not for you and you would be very biased anyway..
According to the reviews I posted in another thread I would say its on par with your gear..
So for you it would be a lateral move..

Why do I need to hear it again?

[Jhayman]

Yes you would..
If only for Beyonce..

I wouldn't go to this even if they parked their truck across the street from my house, gave away free food and beer, and had Beyonce giving free lap dances.

[FTGV]

I wouldn't go to this even if they parked their truck across the street from my house, gave away free food and beer, and had Beyonce giving free lap dances.

Props to you ,your such a rebel.

[WilliamM2]

Why anyone thinks this thread is about the quality of Chinese manufacturing is beyond me. The point was, and still is, the contention that the reason why Emo is able to price so low is because the gear is made in China, and not because the level of audio design and sound quality is at the lower end of the scale.

I had always read Emotiva gear was cheaper because of direct internet sales, and eliminating the distributors and dealers. Not because they were made in China, just about all brands are made in China these days.

[halo71]

Emo seems to be the fat chick of the audio world. Am I right?

[Toolfan66]

I wouldn't go to this even if they parked their truck across the street from my house, gave away free food and beer, and had Beyonce giving free lap dances.

Liar!!

[11tsteve]

Emo seems to be the fat chick of the audio world. Am I right?

everyone has tried it once, but nobody will admit it?

[shadowlight]

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.

I had purchase the XDA2 and found it bright so had to return it. Have not heard any AudioGD DAC but heard positive things about them mostly on head-fi.org and diyaudio.com website. If one based on Wolfson DAC comes up for sale I will most likely give it a shot and see how it works in my system. I find most of the Sabre based dac's to be bright. My ear's are sensitive :-)

[DSkip]

I find most of the Sabre based dac's to be bright. My ear's are sensitive :-)

Anybody else feel this way? I've been eying the Oppo 105 as a future installment and its Sabre-based. I've never heard a DAC that utilizes the chip.

[FTGV]

Anybody else feel this way? I've been eying the Oppo 105 as a future installment and its Sabre-based. I've never heard a DAC that utilizes the chip.

I have a Sabre based DAC(9018) and bright would not be how I describe it.But different power supply scheme and analog stages make comparisons an apple oranges kind of thing IMO.

[sucks2beme]

I had purchase the XDA2 and found it bright so had to return it.
Have not heard any AudioGD DAC but heard positive things about them mostly on head-fi.org and diyaudio.com website. If one based on Wolfson DAC comes up for sale I will most likely give it a shot and see how it works in my system. I find most of the Sabre based dac's to be bright. My ear's are sensitive :-)

I have heard a couple of Audio-gd DACs. I wouldn't describe them as bright.
I have listened to the Dac-19 and of course the NFB-3. They sell gear
as standalone and combo dac/headphone amp. And in different price ranges.
They certainly have gear in the same price range as EMO. As far as chipsets
go, the way it's implemented is more important to the sound
than the chipset used. I have no idea how this thread degraded into the
mud so quickly. DACs should only be judged by performance.

[SCompRacer]

Nah,those TP Buf designs with all those shunt regulator thingies are over rated IMO.

We who bought into the hype call it build to suit and optimized to the max.

I be discrete...

[heiney9]

Ah Rich, you made it home safe.

[SCompRacer]

Yeah, that was some thick fog! Opened up around De Kalb. It was good hooking up, been too long.

[headrott]

I had always read Emotiva gear was cheaper because of direct internet sales, and eliminating the distributors and dealers. Not because they were made in China, just about all brands are made in China these days.

Nope, just gear on the low to lower-mid grade of the audio scale. As has been stated a number of times. You get what you pay for......

[headrott]

You don't its clearly not for you and you would be very biased anyway..
According to the reviews I posted in another thread I would say its on par with your gear..
So for you it would be a lateral move..

You're joking right?

[headrott]

And a fine DAC it is! DIY can take you much further up the quality chain than buying new/used retail. A rule of thumb is parts/labor 1/4 of the retail cost. That will vary of course depending on business model.

Do you do one leg at a time or both?

Thank you Rich. That means a lot after seeing the beauty you assembled. No toobs though. Gotta get those glass bottles a glowin' in your DAC. Actually, I read a while back that Twisted Pear was thinking of making a tube based analog output stage for their Buffalo DAC. I haven't checked on it recently though.

To answer your question, it requires almost my full attention to get one leg on at a time.

[heiney9]

You're joking right?

Greg, don't take the bait, let it go.

H9

[Toolfan66]

It's just audio!!!

[shadowlight]

I have a Sabre based DAC(9018) and bright would not be how I describe it.But different power supply scheme and analog stages make comparisons an apple oranges kind of thing IMO.

Anybody else feel this way? I've been eying the Oppo 105 as a future installment and its Sabre-based. I've never heard a DAC that utilizes the chip.

I believe everything comes down to synergy (hate that word) and how sensitive your ears are to high frequency. The Sabre sounded great for a short while but after 2 to 3 hrs of listening at moderate volume (<65 db at listening position) my ears start to hurt.

My suggestion is to always try any equipment with your setup. What works for one might not work for someone else.

[headrott]

I believe everything comes down to synergy (hate that word) and how sensitive you ears are to high frequency. The Sabre sounded great for a short while but after 2 to 3 hrs of listening at moderate volume (<65 db at listening position) my ears start to hurt.

My suggestion is to always try any equipment with your setup. What works for one might not work for someone else.

I would think it has to do with the analog output stage more than the DAC that made it sound bright. My TP Buff II (that uses the Sabre 9018 DAC) with the tube output analog stage does not sound bright. It is clean, clear, high resolution, and great tone!