To each his own is exactly the edict by which one should approach these discussions indeed. It would also help if we left our bias at the E-door (we all fail at this). Funny, how most of the products I mention in my discussions have had great success and staying power in the high end market place, with many devout users and a tremendous used market significance. Also interesting is the audio Du Jour, which sets the world on fire and then quietly fades away into oblivion. I predict that as the new generation of would be audiophiles enter the market (the convenience generation), alternative technologies will be adopted more and more, with diminishing quality (driven by cost cutting measures). Great gear has staying power long after the fads die...I look for quality, value and longevity in a brand that delivers an exemplary product amidst a sea of alternative overhyped, overmarketed audio Frankenstein Monsters:) Of course some people like pretty sounding alternative gear that makes everything sound like what they imagine real music sounds like!