From what I have noticed -- not including myself -- those who have made critical comments about it have generally been the type who actually design, build, and/or service mic preamps and other high-end audio equipment.
This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it. If you're in the camp that believes that it's the sound that matters and nothing else, and you happen to like that sound ... then all of the critical comments are all just a bunch of electronics whizes geeking out over a bunch of geek stuff that is ultimately of no consequence.
On the other hand, if you are a critical buyer who cares about things like what kinds of electronics are used and how the cost of a given piece of gear is justified from a design standpoint, etc. and if you feel that the design and components used are ultimately going to heavily influence the sound ... then you should really take note that some very knowlegable folks who understand this sort of thing ... don't feel that it is much of anything special.
It's a lot like shopping for computers. If all you know about computers is that you want something that works and is reasonably fast, then you are probably the type who just tries out various machines, and will buy the one you like, regardless of what kind of processor or how much RAM, etc. On the other hand, if you're type who is familiar with the various processors and know their capabilities and limitations, then you would probably fall in to the latter camp, and will look for the computer with the most RAM and the fastest processor, etc.
If the DAV were a computer, it would probably be an Apple, and if it were a processor, it would be an Intel. There are always going to be the geeks who will point out how an AMD is just as fast, but costs a lot less. Or that a PC will do the same things just as fast, but for a lot less $$. Just as there will be the DIY'ers who will point out how they could build one themselves for a very small fraction of the price, were they to order the parts from NewEgg. But there will also be those who will simply say: "I like my Apple. It works for me, and that's all that matters."
The wise shopper will probably take a little bit of both approaches.
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