Barrelchief- I can't compare, but I can tell you that I just traded my old MV for an Emerald and it knocked my socks off. Neal has been very easy to deal and his units are easy to upgrade. It's very quiet, plays and rips Hi-Rez and Redbook. I know you can get a blueray drive, not sure if it rips them as well. The MV offers asynch USB, wireless, spdif or AES/EBU out and auto-duplication in a raid set-up. As far as detailed technical data I can't give you much info except that mine runs Windows 7, JR Media Center and dbPoweramp. I'm sure Neal can give you a much more detailed run-down. The only downside I can point to is that it's not audio jewelry. Basic HTPC case w a MV badge. But you do get a choice of black or silver!! ;-)
I've also heard the Antipodes, in an unfamiliar system. It sounded very good but did not have auto-duplication and I THINK it was more designed to work w an NAS or other outboard storage. In my system, that would not have worked very well.
If you're in the Northeast, you are welcome to come hear the MV. Neal is in CO, and has always had a room at RMAF FWIW.
I've also heard the Antipodes, in an unfamiliar system. It sounded very good but did not have auto-duplication and I THINK it was more designed to work w an NAS or other outboard storage. In my system, that would not have worked very well.
If you're in the Northeast, you are welcome to come hear the MV. Neal is in CO, and has always had a room at RMAF FWIW.