No. While the upstream gear on the JBL M2's wasn't the greatest, it was sufficient to discern the capabilities of the speakers. Maybe you didn't know the tracks used or were having other issues. Their superior crystal clarity, resolving ability, low end performance, and micro and macro dynamic articulation were obviously superior to any planar based rig at The Show. Combined with a lack of horn coloration, treble artifacts or mid-range wonkiness they showed great balance and deft for a hybrid horn/dynamic rig let alone most of the competitors there.

Maybe you could be more specific about what "nothing to write home about" means exactly.

@Schopenhauer; Nope, didn't get a chance. Is it supposed to better than the ODAC/O2? Maybe I'm just confused about what would need to be improved within the audible band. I have to say, chasing the number of zeroes in your distortion figures is an old and tired ploy that usually doesn't bode well in subjective listening. I'll check it out if I remember at a later date.