Hi Jim,
Until recently I was a partner in a stereo store so I first saw them at CES in 2004, but they were just mockups at the time. I was using NHT 2.5i speakers bi-amped with a Arcam Alpha 9 and NHT SA-2 amps. I was going to upgrade to NHT Evolution T5 speakers with a Krell KAV-400xi. This spring I heard the Xd system for the first time at a dealer show and bought the demo pair on the spot. The Arcam made a terrible preamp with the Xds, I could hear floor noise from across the room! I picked up a Jeff Rowland Consummate and have enjoyed the music ever since.
Tom