Is this a deal or what ....

Tireguy- yes, the Emm Labs is the new thing and probably excellent considering the technology advance- it sounds enticing, however out of my league $$$, as Jtinn has quoted me full list @ $10k, and that's just for the dac! He wants another $5k for the matching Emm transport. Not sure if there is a money-back guarantee- I live in Canada, so can't audition this stuff- would be hard-presses to pop for $15k without even hearing it first...

It's OK though- I'm still pretty happy with the Spectral/Audio Note setup- in fact, I also use the Audio Note for home theater too (run satellite digital signal through it). The AN is very detailed dac, and I find I am getting the smallest nuances of the signal, whether it's vocals or music coming though.

Please let us know how you like the Emm Labs stuff once you get it though- I am sure it will be great. Did you actually get a chance to hear it prior to committing??

Sutts- I heard the combo at the show in Montreal, a couple of months ago and was blown away(note: I heard the DAC6, switchman mkII combo- no one has heard the DCC2 yet). I went up with a friend who was interested in speakers and amps, I was just generally curious. So the kind folks at the Kharma, tenor, Emm labs room allowed us private listening time during Friday and Saturday night; he bought the speakers and I bought the emm labs gear :)

I also have about half a dozen friends who are using the dac6, switchman combo and love it- and knowing what they have had and what there systems are I do trust there opinion.

The Wadia sound now is very Digital & dry. This is due almost entitely to the newer algorythym they were using in the last 5 years. They now offer selective modes for the user to choose. So you can sort through the menu to find the two or three newer ones, or the one older original software version. This is the one that sounds best. It is the one the Wadia #9 uses. The 7&9 combo is still very good. The 7 can be modified by Steve at Great Northern Sound for about $1500-2,0000 to put it at world class level. I know I own one ! The 9 has glass only input. There is no physical room to install an AES/EBU board. If there was......This could still be a world class contender with a few other internal parts updates. As far as the original question of "is it worth it for $5,800 bucks" Hell yes !If you haven't heard the 7&9. Don't bother ytrying to knock it.

Of the Cd players mentioned here on audiogon I only had the chance to audition Wadia Audio Aero Mark II. It is sometimes difficult to compare systems in different stores as the rooms, amp and speakers are not at all alike.

Since I knew I was going to buy here on audiogon I only asked the sales attendants if I could just listen for a bit while not interrupting normal business. Of course it would have been wrong to request a home audition.

With the above disclaimer, I bought the AA it was no contest with the Wadia. I am very happy with the unit. I did have to send it to the shop in Texas but this was not a big problem as I air freighted it on Wednesday and I had it back, fixed and working perfectly in less than ten days. The cost was not at all that much, especially considering this was the only place I could get it repaired.

I, too am a bit anxious to get Tireguy's opinion of the EMM in his home as his satisfaction with the AA has been very high. Still, I doubt I will be shelling out the big bucks as I am very happy with my AA eventhough I could at this thime probably sell my AA for more than I paid for it.

A fellow Audiophile purchased the Krell KAV 280cd for big $$$ not too long ago,and sold it for 1/2 of what he paid only after 6 months or ownership.Technology never stops moving forward,whats cutting edge today is obsolete tommorrow.Wadia makes fantastic units but the company seems to be one step behind in their ability to keep up with changing digital landscape.