I love my EMC-1 MkII also, and do wonder if ANYONE who's compared the latest UP-grade could carefully compare the performance? So far I've only heard kneejerk generalizations.
NEW MkIIs can be had (isn't there an ad RIGHT NOW?) for under $3k. Good Luck.
NEW MkIIs can be had (isn't there an ad RIGHT NOW?) for under $3k. Good Luck.