Flat, noiseless, distortion-free sound should be found in all gear at all price points. A $1000 pre/pro can (and should) sound nearly identical to a $10,000 pre/pro. Achieving this is probably the easiest thing a manufacturer can do.

"Like removing several layers of blankets from your speakers"? If I wrapped several blankets around my speakers it would cut off all of the highs and most of the mids. Are we to really believe that this statement is more than hyperbole at its worst?

As someone who is interested in knowing more about the real alternatives out there, a little more objectivity would be greatly appreciated.