I would count the Eastsound CD-E5 as an exception as well. Sure, I've replaced the transport on mine now... but that is after 6 months of near constant use, and my old unit never crapped out. Got a transport for free off of Art and it is putting out beautifull music again.
I've got the zapfilter in there now as well, but unless you need really nice balanced outputs it is not really necissary. The stock single ended output stage is quite nice.
Also, I reserve my judgement on the Darkvoice. A lot of people who I trust have said good things about it, and the broken one from the meet aerius and I attended had a faulty power switch. Personally, I don't think that means the amp is poorly designed... it means it had a faulty power switch.