Emotiva amplifiers review/experience?

I second the question. I've been researching used two-channel power amps to use with my receiver, including McCormack, Odyssey, Aragon, Acurus, B&K. The only problem is, whenever I start looking at paying $600-$1000 for one of them, I then think, I can get a brand new Emotiva with warranty for that price. I just don't know how the audio quality for music compares to some of those models. I am most interested in the quality of the mid and high frequencies. I think with Emotiva, I would go with the XPA-2.

As I posted earlier in this thread, I was debating the same thing. I did end up picking up a McCormack DNA-1 Rev. A, which cost me several hundred more dollars than a XPA-2, here on Audiogon. Have not received it yet, but will report my findings.

Anybody else find these long threads in which the OP never reappears strange? I mean, it's the OP's prerogative as to any further participation, but just seems odd. I'm glad for the thread, because I had the same question.

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

Elem, I received the DNA-1, but it had a loud hum issue. Incredible kudos to SMc Audio, as I had emailed them for help and they called me that very night and spoke with me for almost an hour, even though I did not buy from them. At their suggestion, I picked up a "cheater" plug, which has only two prongs. This did the trick, and confirmed that the problem was a ground loop hum, as SMc suspected. I just got the cheater plug today, so I have not yet done much critical listening.

I did try a couple different speaker cables: Goertz MI-2 Veracity and an older set of Tara Labs RSC Prime bi-wire. Speakers are Monitor Audio Silver 9i. I did not receive any Zobel networks with the Goertz and this may be a problem, in that it seems that if I crank the volume very much, I get a crackling and popping distortion. I am going to get the Zobels and try again. I will say that at low volume, the Goertz sound fabulous on vocals. Admittedly, an old design, the Tara do not suffer from any limitation on cranking the volume, but at the same time do not do much for me. They are OK, but I don't feel like they do great on the highs or on conveying the timbre and tone of music.

Now that I have solved the hum issue, I am going to do a lot more critical listening.