I have never heard any emmlabs equipment, but have been reading the raves in this section of audiogon for many months. (perhaps even years). I must admit to being very naive, when I wonder why no other maker can solve all the problems of digital, when Meitner can. Are his techniques so solidly covered by iron-clad patents that no one else can utilize them, or is his genius so totally unique, that this superiority cannot be copied by anyone else? Or, are most other manufacturers designing for sound that quickly impresses people who have not heard much live music. (i.e. the "hi-fi" sound) For me, a reasonably priced digital one-box player offering these qualities would be one of the audio breakthroughs of all time!