On the topic of Adams differences - an interesting thing I discovered at ITEC this year:
I played every single horn in the Adams room at least twice and the E1 was consistently my favorite model. I'm a very big advocate of "everyone's different, choose the horn for YOU" but I was honestly surprised by my preference, considering the E3 seems to be the popular one among most high-level players. I just really liked the "zing" I got from the E1 (especially a particular horn which I will not disclose because I might want to buy it if I can justify owning two horns to myself and my wife >:] ).
Just further illustrates the high level of quality in the top brands and that you should go through and find an instrument YOU prefer rather than buying what someone else likes.
Sean Kissane
Low Brass Specialist, Paige's Music
Principal Euphonium, Indianapolis Brass Choir
Principal Euphonium, Crossroads Brass Band
Equipment:
S.E. Shires EUSOLO
Warburton Gail Robertson mpc