LeRoy, you are welcome.

NF, I like the ergonomics of the ERC-1, on the face the buttons are large and spread out, very simple. The remote is large, guessing 7" long by 3" wide, aluminum and hefty. The remote has little rubber feet for laying flat. The buttons on top are set up nicely. The same diamond array for play/pause, stop, two arrows for left and two for right, one skips and entire track and the other is a 3 speed audible FF. The ERC provides two sets of analog outputs, a set of XLR and one each coaxial and optical digital. The ERC features a detachable power cord.

The X-ray has smaller than typical chasis but there are two of them one power supply and one the player. There are buttons on left and right of the tray, small but not difficult to use and once you learn what they are it's fine. Frenchmon forgot the remote so I'll defer to him for that and further comment. The units are solidly built.

If you are alright with a warm musical presentation the X-ray really is the better sounding player.

I wish now Frenchmon had brought the Rotel because I'm doubting it's better than the ERC. I think I appreciate the ERC's ability a bit more than Frenchmon but the difference between it and the MF was so drastic due to different presentation styles and the MF's overall superior ability. You know what they say about first impressions.

Frenchmon, you are welcome and I too look forward to getting together again. In my AR profile the email link is on so send me your info you forgot to leave last night. And try to get some sleep