Hi,Sam.Just my opinion;I think most audiophiles think of these,the same way they think of Bose.In the begining they got their reputation.I have never touched one so all this is just opinionated banter.I think I am not alone on this,lets see if anyone with more input, than I have to offer, responds. As an afterthought,with outboard power supplys for this and that;separate dacs,jitter boxes in between,on and on,ya just run outta shelf space.