[theoctavist]

[size=13.142857551574707px]A piece of gear is off for repair, necessitated the purchase of a DAC. Didnt want to spend a lot, but I am so happy that I got this. Currently using it with SBT EDO @ 24/48 (USB). Rock solid, the remote (machined from aluminum) is really sturdy...the whole thing..remote and all.... feels REALLY well made..has heft, feels substantial. setting up was a breeze. so happy with this purchase. [/size][size=13.142857551574707px]emotiva[/size][size=13.142857551574707px] is a giant killing company..[/size]
(FWIW, I have Forssell and Mytek DACs too)[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]http://shop.emotiva.com/products/stealth-dc-2[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]all sample rates supported up to 192 KHz , from all inputs(including usb)[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]AES/EBU(XLR), Toslink, COax S/PDIF, BNC, USB, two analog inputs, [/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]Asynch USB Via C-Media CM-6631 A USB Chip[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]ASRC eleminates jitter on all inputs. [/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]DUal Fully Differential AD1955 DACs dual indepentand AD1955 operated in diff monaural mode[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]LM 4562 OP amps[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]DUal Muses 72320 digitially controlled analog ladder colume control chip...volume for each fully diff channel is controlled by a seperate IC, operated in Emotivas proprietary dual gain control mode(simultanously controlling both signal level and the gain of the gain stage iself, this optimizes the signal handling at various gain levels to achieve great noise and distortion performance at any given setting[/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]galvanically isolated digital inputs. [/size][size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px][/size]
[size=13.142857551574707px]headphone outputs(two!) are driven buy independent high current BUF634 buffers, low output impedence. output levels for main and headphone outputs are independent and saved in memory[/size]
 
 

 
it has driven every set of cans ive thrown at it, frm my mains (AKG 701 and Etymotic ER-4, AT ATH M50) to Sennheiser, Sony, and countless others 
 
it is stunning. really. HIGHLY reccomended. 

 

[BournePerfect]

Nice ad.

 
Any feedback on the sound quality?
 
-Daniel

 

[theoctavist]

Nice misplaced, unnecessary snark/cattiness...

 
 
It, like every other well designed, high performance DAC, has no "sound signature". it is completely invisible.  it puts out what comes in...It performs flawlessly, and is virtually indistinguishable from my other top shelf converters(Mytek, Forssell, Lavry, Lynx, and Prism)...with one caveat. 
 
 
it is a fraction of the price. 
 
the headphone ouputs(2....when they are plugged in the speakers automatically mute...when the phones are removed, the volume level is saved in the device memory..!...so no fiddling with it to get that "perfvect" volume...)
 
 
also...swappable ICs for the tweakers!
 
 
stunning gear really. 

 

[project86]

Google "Emotiva Octavist" and you'll get some interesting results. Apparently he felt we needed to read this even though it was already posted HERE. 

 

[ScepticalDude]

Quote:

Google "Emotiva Octavist" and you'll get some interesting results. Apparently he felt we needed to read this even though it was already posted HERE. 

 
Very interesting. Not a Forssel or Prism converter in sight in those pictures, by the way. I did see a gun, though, so maybe we should be careful.

 

[theoctavist]

i thought someone would enjoy seeing someone posting about first-hand experience with the device. 
 
 
the over the top bitchness and misplaced, impotent vitriol is...to put it lightly , extremely strange.  
 
it is one guy posting about experience with a newish DAC. I know. serious business. 
 
the fact that this seems to work a few of you into a frenzy is , from a sociological standpoint...fascinating, but at the same time, exceptionally odd behavior. 

 

[theoctavist]

Quote:

Google "Emotiva Octavist" and you'll get some interesting results. Apparently he felt we needed to read this even though it was already posted HERE. 

 
yes, because it is a given that the readership there would naturally be enrolled here. 
 
more odd behavior. 
 
ive never seen such odd, disproportionate bitchiness over an equipment review. 
 
as I said, earlier postings from several members hinted that hands on experience with the Emotiva unit would be appreciated perhaps.... why it has triggered such anger and emotional turmoil..
 
it is...perhaps the strangest behavior ive ever seen on a web forum. 

 

[ScepticalDude]

Quote:

 
 
i can't get over how odd your responses are. from the first response to the last one. 
 
perhaps this forum's reputation is well deserved, but i never imagined that a mere review would serve as the impetus for syncing/igniting of the  hive menstruation cycle. 
 
odd, odd..exceptionally so. 

 
You don't address the most important question: do you seriously expect people to believe that you own Mytek AND Forssell AND Lavry AND Lynx and AND Prism converters (we are easily talking about 10 to 15 thousand dollars here), and then buy yet another one (and an extremely cheap one at that, compared to Prism and the like) just because one piece is out for repair? 
 
Call me "odd", but I just don't buy it.

 

[cswann1]

@ theoctavist.
 
I like to give folks the benefit of a doubt, so I'll address you like you are indeed a audio enthusiast sharing your experience with a product.
 
 
Look at this from our perspective and consider these facts.
 
1) You are a new member with only a few posts.
2) You claim to have purchased this product simply because another piece of gear is out for repairs.  Practically nobody does that.
3) You gush about the product as "performing flawlessly".
4) You say it performs as well as much more expensive products, but you don't say whether you have done any sort of objective A/B comparisons using any quantifiable measurements.  You just stated: "is virtually indistinguishable from my other top shelf converters(Mytek, Forssell, Lavry, Lynx, and Prism)"
 
We are not gullible children here and everything about your post screams shill. Nobody here is acting "oddly".  This is exactly the sort of reaction this type of post will receive on this forum by someone who just joined and has only a few posts.

 

[ScepticalDude]

Hear hear!
 

 

[Andrew_WOT]

You guys are crazy. With endorsement  like this I have nothing to say but

 

[Currawong]

Guys, it is NEVER appropriate to be abusive towards another member, regardless if they are new. 
 
That being said...this DAC has been on my list to investigate as I own a pair of Airmotiv 4 speakers which are insanely good value. 

 

[BournePerfect]

I agree Amos. Having been here a number of years now-I find it discouraging that someone would just mosey in and call us odd. Repeatedly.

 
-Daniel

 

[cswann1]

Well, despite all the drama...this looks like a good product.
 
I've been hanging around the Dedicated Source Components forum because I'm considering moving away from optical media and using some sort of digital media server and a DAC. I'll keep this on my radar.

 

[RonaldDumsfeld]

Potential consumers should be aware that for more or less the same amount of money they could get their hands on an RME Babyface.
 
 http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_babyface.php
 
The Babyface offers all the features of the Emotiva and a lot that it doesn't. Like multiple channel ins and outs, mic preamps, a full EQ and effects package, MIDI etc etc. The remote control on the Emotiva looks nice though.
 
If you prefer to spend your money with a nominally US company also consider the MOTU Ultralite.
 
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite-mk3
 
It covers more or less all the features offered by the Emotiva, including the screen and front panel controls, except it offers 10 channels in and 14 out rather than simply stereo in, stereo out. Again though, no remote.
 
That's spending the full list price of the Emotiva. If all you really want is a basic, clean and transparent 2 in 2 out audio interface you have a huge range of products to choose for a fraction of the price.
Look for Focusrite, Native Instruments, Roland AKAI, Avid and Presonus. To name only a few.
 
I'm not out to knock the Emotiva per se. Never had a chance to take a good close look at one so far. It just looks to be at least 50% too expensive compared to the available competition and feature set.