Emotiva amplifiers review/experience?

12-19-11: Storym
Here is an idea. If Bryston has a 20 yr. warranty, are they saying their products won't last that long?

That makes absolutely no sense. They are confident that their products will last that long, and history has proven that out. Any company offering a 20 year warranty that builds equipment that breaks down will be out of business in no time. Bryston has been around for a while. Try to find ANY OTHER manufaturer of electronic gear that offers a 20 year transferable warranty. Good luch with that one. Some others offer a couple of years, some offer 5 years, much fewer offer more than that. BTW I don't own and have never owned any Bryston gear. I just admire the fact that they stand behind their gear for that long.

Sorry to be a bore but will go with the Bryston 4sst2c Magfan you are right.

This hobby is about SOUND! i.e. what reaches our ears. Not about the cost of parts. You could buy and replace the Emotiva many times for the price of a Bryston. Because you will get tired of looking at it long before 20 years. All electrical / mechanical equip is prone to failure. ALL! Witness the space shuttle.

Mtrot, I would be inserted in hearing about your experience with the McCormack DNA-1.

I have an Emotiva XPA-2 and USP-1 Pre. It's very cold and analytical sounding to me, highs can be sharp.

I'm thinking of replacing my preamp with a Mcormack or Conrad Johnson Preamp to warm things up.

Audition: XPA-2. Yesterday, quite by chance I learned a neighbor of mine has an XPA 2. I have been curious about the sound and asked him if here would mind an audition only with my speakers. My help carrying it to my house was part of the deal.:) I have Thiel CS 2's driven by a Hafler 9180. Long story short: The XPA 2 sounded like this: definitely a somewhat "bigger" sound, a lot of detail, a robust bass, broad soundstage with a more forward presence than my Hafler. I listened to voice, orchestra and rock. I did hear what I thought was "crisp" definition in some mid's esp the highs. Don't know how else to describe this.
My Hafler seems to soften the mid's and highs just a bit and provides a big enough sound reproduction in it's own right. If I was in the market for an amp I would likely try the XPA 2.