James,
Thats great to hear. The pro products should remain the same style forever really. That way they become classic icons, in the same manner as McIntosh - transcending the alternating fashion trends. It also means you will get more repeat business as buyers can add new amps to match existing older units. If you had changed the pro versions as well, I wouldn't have bought any new ones at all, preferring to go for the classic used models instead.
I guess you feel the need for a seperate softer look product to pick up sales from more mainstream shoppers, who care about WAF. However this approach does water down the company brand image a little imho. It somehow makes the company seem less focused to a casual observer. I was never a fan of when Krell ditched their industrial image for girly silver trinkets. I can't help thinking their new gear looks cheap. Who knows, maybe they built them down to a price internally as well? Not a good impression to give out. Teac have recently made the same mistake of following trends too closely. They stopped offering black and now only have silver equipment. I decided against a new vrds for this very reason, so had to buy a used black one instead. The world has enough lifestyle solutions as it is. Rise above it!
Paul
