Hello Kana,
I understand your decision to spend money on the homefront system and software, there are however those who attend shows to keep abreast of the latest hardware and software for our hobby. Personally, considering HE 2003, I can't think of a better venue to attend should you be in the market for new high end components. Nothing else will expose you to so much, in so little time. It should also be noted that many manufacturers debut their new components and Platinum series components at HE shows. This said, many into the hobby wouldn't consider not attending.
Regarding your statements about what Ecstasy in Numbers and The Kevin Jones Band offer to you, the audiophile consumer, it offers you a very high level of musical talent, along with unsurpassed recordings. Counting the KOB SACD, I have over a dozen KOB LP's, several KOB CD's, 2 original Columbia KOB 7 1/2 IPS reels and a production master reel. This makes me feel funny, did I really need the new KOB SACD? How many more times do I/should I purchase this title? Some find comfort in owning the same recorded material, multiple times.
Allow me to ask you, Kana, do you expect a mass market recording made in 1958 to compare to a modern day DSD recording with EVERY detail treated as such. Did Columbia use ultra high end cables as microphone cables? How about power cables? Did they have tube regulated power supplies, built by Tube Research Labs, for their tube microphones? These are just 2 examples. For your info, yes, Diversity Records does use EMM Labs equipment. Mr. Meitner is supplying Diversity Records with multiple ADC and DAC 8's, with his latest mods. These are fresh mods, nothing that has been seen nor heard from anyone outside the factory as yet, from my understanding. Every manufacturer that is used along the recording chain for Diversity Records is suppying their latest and greatest. If you didn't already understand, this is an assembly of the greatest recording manufacturers, suppying their best. Many feel that this makes these 2 recordings noteworthy, as any un-biased, normal minded person would agree.
I have the advantage as to have already heard the musical content, you of course have not. I can make statements as to the content and musicianship, and will say that you won't be disappointed. Time will tell, won't it?
Kind regards,
Brian