Doesn't matter how cheap they are, if you can't get your hands on one, theres not a lot you can do.
But I hope things will pick up as Sonic Blue get themsleves sorted out.
I also have an empeg, and from day 1, most things have been slow to happen. But when they finally they do, they've been worth the wait.
(well apart from discontinuing the empeg. arse.)

Dobbs