I have one and with the JPS Labs Digital AC Cord it beat everything I heard under $5K. It' got a very accurate, clean, organic & relaxed sound (reminiscent of listening to analog master tapes) with a huge soundstage. The closest thing under $5K that sounded better (slightly) was the Sony XA-5400ES at $1.5K. I imagine that modding either one by spending an additional $1-$2K would allow them to compete with the lower end EMM Labs and Meridian units.