DXing can mean different things to different people. To some, it means
being able to catch an ID and/or address in an otherwise unlistenable
broadcast. To others, it might mean being able to understand the bulk
of the broadcast, so that you can understand what's being discussed.

At least in my experience, ECSS tuning is especially well-suited to the
former type of DXing, but not so well-suited to the latter type of
DXing. Why? Because constantly changing noise conditions and adjacent
frequency interference limits your ability to twist all the knobs in
just the right way at just the right time. That's why the latter sort
of DXing, at least in my opinion, benefits from an outstanding sync
detector like the R8B's. It makes signals more listenable, not just for
a moment, but for the long haul.

These are generalizations of course. I'm not saying ECSS tuning never
works over the long haul. Sometimes it does, but not as well or as
reliably as sync detection. That's why DXers need BOTH ECSS tuning AND
sync detection.

Steve