Post by 2channon on Feb 24, 2013 14:18:48 GMT -5
Well, to make a short story long, a couple of years ago I was happily watching "Borne Identity" when my Denon 1907 threw craps. One of the amp channels went by-by. So began my journey. I bought an Onkyo TX-NR808 for the improved amp section and while it did have more power than my old Denon, I just didn't like its sound as well. One day while I was drooling over some high dollar separates I came across Emotiva and the skies opened and the choir sang. I never thought I could ever afford that kind of gear.
I started by adding an XPA-3 to my Onkyo which made quite a difference. But that Onkyo still didn't sound right.
Along came the UMC-200 and the holiday sale, soo I put the Onkyo on ebay and pulled the trigger (also got an XPA-2). Let me tell you...BIG difference. I'm not very poetic in my descriptions but it just sounded fuller and cleaner.
Then I started thinking about upgrading my bluray player (or CD player) to get better 2 channel sound. I just couldn't see paying $1200+ for an Oppo 105 and I didn't think the 103 would be an improvement in sound. The more I read the more I started to lean toward getting a DAC and using my current players just as transports.
Then Emotiva has another sale...shhh...Secret Warehouse Sale, and I couldn't stop myself. That's right, an XDA-2 was on the way.
As I was hooking it up I was hoping that I would be able to hear a difference and, if I did, that I would like it. I was also concerned that I would miss the base mgnt and the sub-woofer.
I DID hear a difference and I LOVE it. Also there is no need for a sub-woofer as the bass has improved over my 2.1 setup.
I keep switching back an forth between HDMI into the UMC-200 in stereo and the XDA-2 in direct mode. I got dry mouth because my jaw was on the floor all day. CDs that have never sounded right sounded great for instance both of the Eagles greatest hits always sounded thin and the vocals pushed back away from the listener, not now. I can finally enjoy the Eagles like I've always wanted to. Stuff that sounded good before just sounds better now. For instance Diana Krall was in my living room sitting at her piano with her stand up bass player. I swear they were there. I could probably pass a polygraph.
Well, that's enough rambling.
Enjoy the music my friends. ;D
I started by adding an XPA-3 to my Onkyo which made quite a difference. But that Onkyo still didn't sound right.
Along came the UMC-200 and the holiday sale, soo I put the Onkyo on ebay and pulled the trigger (also got an XPA-2). Let me tell you...BIG difference. I'm not very poetic in my descriptions but it just sounded fuller and cleaner.
Then I started thinking about upgrading my bluray player (or CD player) to get better 2 channel sound. I just couldn't see paying $1200+ for an Oppo 105 and I didn't think the 103 would be an improvement in sound. The more I read the more I started to lean toward getting a DAC and using my current players just as transports.
Then Emotiva has another sale...shhh...Secret Warehouse Sale, and I couldn't stop myself. That's right, an XDA-2 was on the way.
As I was hooking it up I was hoping that I would be able to hear a difference and, if I did, that I would like it. I was also concerned that I would miss the base mgnt and the sub-woofer.
I DID hear a difference and I LOVE it. Also there is no need for a sub-woofer as the bass has improved over my 2.1 setup.
I keep switching back an forth between HDMI into the UMC-200 in stereo and the XDA-2 in direct mode. I got dry mouth because my jaw was on the floor all day. CDs that have never sounded right sounded great for instance both of the Eagles greatest hits always sounded thin and the vocals pushed back away from the listener, not now. I can finally enjoy the Eagles like I've always wanted to. Stuff that sounded good before just sounds better now. For instance Diana Krall was in my living room sitting at her piano with her stand up bass player. I swear they were there. I could probably pass a polygraph.
Well, that's enough rambling.
Enjoy the music my friends. ;D
