Audio Note - honestly, what's the fuss?
It can sound really good. My favourite domestic system (that isn't owned by me!

) is based on a DAC4.1, M5 pre, P4 300B amps and a pair of upmarket E speakers. It's not really tuned to my muscial tastes, but what it does it does very well. Plugged by 211 amps into it with fab results.
Had the 4.1 in my system for a bit, as the owner of the above brought it round, and it is a very, very good sounding DAC. But so it should be it costs a lot of money. It comfortably beat an Audio Research CD 7 (well, a 7.5 as it had be upgraded). That surprised me, but obviously better it most certainly was to all present.
Said system also contains an Origin Live TT & tonearm, an AudioNote IO cartridge and an ANUK S3 step up. Plugging a Kondo S6 step up into it gave amazing results. Most of us were just flawed by it's overall goodness. Incredible step up - what's more it isn't even the best Kondo step up.
However, I have also heard Es sounding naff. They need good kit attached to them. I would also say that there are type Es and type Es, with the better ones being significantly better. I also think the worst DAC I have ever heard was a cheap AN one. So there is a big variance in the range.
They do manage to pull off good sound at shows, not always, but most of the time here in the UK.