I disagree. How do you know? Did you compare "every" level of every brand before picking your "list of the best makers of audio equipment?" How much money and time did it take to come to your conclusions? I'd say it would take a walloping lot of both for you to have any authority on the subject. And even if you were correct (which you aren't) it's just your opinion, what sounds good to your brain. More truthfully you should say "in my opinion this is the list of blah, blah, blah..." There'll always be someone to disagree! That's what you asked for, right? To hear from those of us who disagree?