The problems with the SDR-400SV are two-fold. First, it is often heard in an all Spectral system. This has never impressed me. (Mobiusman was so disappointed with the musicality of that combo to the point of returning the SRD-400SV). Secondly, it is a lot of money to ask for a one box player that does not afford the courtesy of allowing one to play anything else through what might be an exceptional DAC. No USB input. No AES input. No optical input. Zero. Nada. And for 20K? Ridiculous. This purist approach is self-defeating and certainly not in the best interest of affordable musical enjoyment. I suspect its sales are quite limited due to this liability alone.
Note it costs about twice that in Europe! I heard there's a waiting list, too, as they're unable to fulfill demand… Needless to say, I'm not going to buy one, but the one time I heard it, and admittedly in passing only (maybe three songs), I was pleased with what I heard (actually that's an understatement, it was one of the memorable experiences in the context of the Munich expo this year: there was that sense of life and realism to its playback one so rarely encounters at audio shows).
Greetings from Switzerland, David.
