I use my Emotiva XPA-1's with my Revel Salon 2s and they sound sweet. I have given away my Revel F12's. My second system is Zu Essence speakers combined with a Dayens Menuetto amp. I love this amp. The combo is perfect with Zu.
I have added a new integrated solid state amp from Dayens to use with the Zu Essence speakers. The Dayens Menuetto sounds just perfect to me. Now I am running two systems in my house. Mike Gill the Dayens representative was a breeze to work with. I first got the Dayens Ampino but it was a defective unit. Dayens quickly replaced the amp with an even better unit. Go Dayens!
The best way to contact the person who made the wood trim for me is through the Emotiva message board. His screen name is Kazoo. He was very easy to deal with.
I had the wood pieces custom made for the amplifiers. I don't have a lot of experience with other amplifiers or CD players so I can't give a review based on comparisons. Regarding my speakers I do enjoy both brands but I prefer the Zu over the Revel. The Revels don't have the high end that the Zu's have. The Revels have a dry characteristic to them. I am looking forward to hearing the Revel Salon 2s soon. I live in a warm part of California so even though I do have a fireplace I don't use it.
I had the wood pieces custom made by another Emotiva customer. I do use both speakers for different music. The Zu's have a more open, airy midrange and more extended highs than the Revel's. I like the Zu's for rock music and the Revel's for classical. The Revel's have a dry sound to them but the staging is good.
