The faceplate of the 950 is actually aluminum, but they do a mighty good job of hiding that fact, making it look kind of like some kind of plastic. Maybe they should look for a good anodizing house to put a classy finish on it. How about titanium with silver buttons?

Good old fashioned brushed/black anodizing works for me. And spend the extra $0.50 to buy a volume knob that doesn't look like it got half melted in shipping. And use the new logo from the 200. The green button gives it character - keep it. My $0.02.

But Charlie, that is just so, so 20th century!!

OK fellas, let's not lose site of the original topic.
Gonk Did you ever find the thread? I searched under Ref30, reference 30, b & k, and a few other ways to look, but found nothing 'cept a reference to the cost of a used one.
Just a little background info. I had been using a Yamaha 2095 as the pre until I stumbled upon a Ref30 for $1600. Being a bargin shopper, and wanting the biggest bang for the buck, I grabbed it up. Sound is far superior to the Yami. The sound from the 30 is just what I was looking for. If the 950 could match that sound, it would save me a good $700. I have very revealing speakers. Mains are Klipsch LaScalas with Hersey's as surrounds.

Those are _classics_! If you could part with them, you could sell them to some Japanese collector for big $$$ and buy yourself whatever you want

Soundhound, Parting with them would be like selling my kids. Wait a minute. Do you think a Japanese collector might want the kids? Seriously once you go Klipsch, it's tough to listen to anything else. Especially if you like live music. I have owned other brands too (and still do), like Martin Logan, Vandersteen, NHT, Polk, Bostons, Mirage, but IMO the Klipsch are the best for that concert feel. The Ref30 has brought a lot of clarity to the soundstage. I am hoping I will hear other opinions about the 950 comparing the 2 that would report the same.

flason:

I don't know, the kids - the speakers - tough choice

If you like horns, you might check out my room:

http://home.earthlink.net/~soundhound/studio/studio.html

In my situation, I can do an A/B instant switch which either goes through the 950, or directly througn a very 'tweak" vacuum tube preamplifier. Doing this while playing CDs (or any other stereo source), I can't hear any difference in the direct vs the 950 feed. Sounds pretty good to me. I haven't heard the ref30 so I can't comment on that.

flason

I pretty much came up empty yesterday (I don't think merc made many of his beta test comments here at the saloon, since at the time he was actively posting at HTF). I did find some scraps this morning, though. Nothing extremely detailed or definitive, but it's something.

AVR307 thread at HTF
post #16 in HTF Official 950 Thread
post #142 in HTF beta tester thread
post #235 in HTF beta tester thread
post #254 in HTF beta tester thread

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

Gonk, Thanks for the links. Great reading and it gave me a lot to consider. The 950 will probable get ordered this week. I keep posting and hope to do a comparison. Still have 50 days to keep the 30.