The current SOTA SACD player

Oneobgyn,

Your frustration/anger is missplaced. Alex simply asked you for a clarification of your statement. He did not offer any information on this thread about his products. Nor did he solicit your business here. Therefore, this thread is not the proper venue for you to vent your frustration/anger at Alex. Express your frustration/anger in the venues in which Alex actually does something inappropriate. Alex did nothing wrong in this thread. I've seen plenty of Alex's online posts where he is not selling but just sharing technical information or his opinion on a variety of subjects. To assume that everytime Alex shows up on a thread he is there to sell his products is not based on fact and makes no more sense than to assume that everytime you post your positive opinion of EMM on the numerous threads you are there to hawk Ed Meitner's products. As long as manufacturers identify themselves as such, they are welcomed members of Audiogon and can post like everyone else. Actually you and Alex have something in common. Both of you are passionate about your respective products. And I admire that in both of you. Without passion, high-end audio will wither.

Best Regards,
John

I've been listening to Meitner Designs products for years, starting with the IDAT, some 10+ years ago. I do consider the current EMM Labs Signiture models "The current SOTA...." I listened to the new EMM Labs one box SACD player at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest this past weekend and, IMO, it is simply amazing and retails for $10,000, to boot.

Alex,
Ed Meitner didn't get where he is today by shamelessly promoting his products on audiophile forums. Your behavior has made me highly skeptical of your product, which is unfortunate- for you.

Please do consider letting reviewers and customers do the talking, in the future.

Mikelavigne is very eloquent. My approach is more direct.

Alex, butt out.

Thank you

IMO Alex should stick to building and designing his digital products and let Brent do the talking for APL. Everytime Alex injects himself into these threads I get a sour taste for APL. Alex is certainly free to do and say what he pleases- I'm just not sure how well it is received- not too well in my case.

Hello Mike,

You make some valid points. Thank you for your concern and friendly advice, I appreciate it!

The fact that many posters online are predetermined about the products they own without having any solid bases is at times overwhelming for me, sorry to say. This was the reason to challenge Oneobgyn’s “IMO it does not get better than EMM Labs”.

You know well that I respect Ed, Andreas and all the rest from EMM Labs. I have defended EMM Labs on many occasions here and on the Audioasylum. Since many consider EMM Labs (and especially the new Signature) being the World’s best SOTA digital, it is always a good challenge and fun to audition alternative digital solutions against it. What is wrong with that? Blind and hollow claims that “It does not get better than this” do not really make any justice until there is an A-B test, right? After all, isn’t this Audiophile hobby all about challenge? Why do you own EMM Labs? Why don’t you have Zanden, dCS, Goldmund or Esoteric separates for example? You have provided the answer yourself – “I want to buy it if (and that’s a big IF) I prefer it to my EMM Labs.” That’s it! You’ve challenged everything on your list and made the EMM choice. This is what every Audiophile who is after SOTA audio gear would do.

EMM Labs as well as ANY digital front-end owners are more than welcome to challenge APL customers or me directly. I’d be VERY happy to see that. I have always welcomed the so called “System Hopping” events organized by the Bay Area Audiophile Society where several members would open their doors so other interested members can audition variety of well regarded gear without any sales pressure and also bring their own audio components for A-B test. It’s a lot of fun but it also provides “IMO” based on actual experience. This is the right place to mention that I really respect your open minded willingness to experience alternative solutions in your own system which puts you in the right position to provide meaningful “IMO” to those who are interested to know the result.

We may not agree on everything in Audio but I also consider you a friend. It makes me very happy that you are considering auditioning the NWO-2.5 in your system. I hope you will not reconsider and I can’t wait to hear your conclusion!

Regards,

Alex