If I were you, I'd revive my curiosity about the Pangea AC-9. I heard none of the effects noted above and when compared with a Cardas Golden PC, the Pangea held its own and then some. This is certainly system-related to some extent, of course, but you can safely try a Pangea with the 30-day return policy from Audio Advisor. I did, and now have 9 of them. Dave
