I've been reading much about the 950 as I am considering purchasing my first digital processer...currently using an analogue surround I built years ago, but after recently purchasing DVD...need to go digi, what the heck. I was just reading some of the posts on the 950 and ran into this 'red dot' fix, which I suppose is for the 'hiss' problems some early models had. Does this 'red dot' come with the new units when ordered or is it an option I have to mention?
My System (more or less): ARC valve phono/pre (awesome mosheen), Music Hall TT, Toshiba DVD/DVD-A,Sony ES Cassette, JVC S-VHS, old GE 36" monitor, Audio Alchemy Overture Dual Mono blocks, BGW mono amp, Adcom 535 stereo amp, front surrounds are Maggie 1.6QRs, center: Jamo centers, rear: Maggie 10.1QRs.,sub: Mirage BBSS-250. I'm relagating my home built processer to the MBRM...Parasound Pre, Scott valve 30/30, Crown 75, Rogers LS 3/5a's, Little David 3000's. Hoping that the 950 will raise the ante to an already awesome sounding system.

No red dot. All newly shipped models will have a brand new final hiss fix. The replacement models are blue dot, but I am not sure if brand new units will actually have a blue dot on them. All units bought after Dec 17, 2002 have the latest fix in them, according to the Outlaws brand new newsletter. Soundhound has received his, and you can read his assessment of it in the "to hiss or not to hiss" thread.

thanks, willscary. been reading bout thhis unit for some time but i've not been able yet to purchase it...been in afghanistan and now in palistine. gotta drive to Jordan in a week or so and then on to Kuwait. Hopefully I can order it there and have it sitting at home when I finally land back in the USA.
Been salvating over this and 'they' keep giving me more places to go. It'll just make it that much sweeter when I get home. Got a list of movies and vinyl and DVD-A's to pick up and then I'm locking the door for at least a week or until my ears bleed. I've been looking for a unit like this for a few years at Adcom, Parasound, etc....you name it, but always thought the cost was just a little high. Gonna e-mail this site to a few friends in the same boat. cheers

I didn't know that.

Do the SH hiss fixed 950's serial numbers start with an "02", independent of whether they are new or rebuilt?

I got an e-mail earlier today (that I suspect went out or is going out to all 950 owners) that explains what to do to get a "SoundHound fix / blue dot" replacement if you have had hiss problems. Here's one relevant quote:



As far as the serial number thing goes, all three 950's that I've seen have had SN's beginning with "02" -- they may have changed serial numbers from the factory after the red dot fix (although I'm not aware of a change like that), but otherwise they will most likely all have "02" numbers I suspect.

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

my original 950 does not have a red dot, and the s/n is 01. Maybe I have a pre red dot? I bought mine after the red dot fix.

Then they may have changed the serial numbers after the red dot fix went into effect at the factory, because all of the ones I have seen were manufactured before the fix was put into production.

The "blue dot" units are all retrofitted with the "SoundHound" fix; I suspect that they will likely be a mix of 01 and 02 series serial numbers.

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

Mine's a newer red dot and it's serial number is 01-02xxxxxxx. Maybe the earliest ones didn't have the 01- or 02- prefix. Maybe the latest ones have the 02- prefix. Gonk, does your serial number have a dash after the 02?

For the record, my complete serial number is 02-0212..... I suspect they were being especially nice to me, as I think my unit is a new one. No dots, blue or otherwise.

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited December 29, 2002).]

None of my S/N's have had a "02-" at the start if the serial number. Current serial number is 020300437 (others were 020300051 and 020300284). My "red dot" was one of the red dot test units, and doesn't even have the dot.

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