Hi Michael, Sam,
The duration of the offer and what to do with the trade-in boards is uncertain.

It all depends on takeup and time to market for the Lifeforce retail version. Heck, if I make a million dollars, I'll buy a Diablo and call myself Krull........

A trade-in rewards present AKSA owners for their loyalty, reduces the price, and prevents used AKSA modules flooding the market and potentially devaluing the brand. It allows Aspen to appeal directly to it's greatest asset - you, and hundreds like you, who bought an AKSA. This is terribly important as all sales are closed on a strong psychological factor. It's an effective and time-honoured method to promote a new product whilst acknowledging loyalty, and it will certainly focus attention on the quality of the Lifeforce because expectations will be high, and rightly so. (As you've probably guessed I'm confident on this score!!

)
The fact is that the Lifeforce design and pcb is very different to the AKSA, so it is not practical to merely offer an N++. Nevertheless the gradation of performance makes the Lifeforce equivalent to a super upgrade. It is very clear to me that a major concession must be made to existing AKSA owners who have stood by me and bought in large numbers on spec. I am always conscious of the leap of faith to buy any direct marketed, internet product. This strategy should also give rapid penetration of a committed, qualified market with prospects of immediate quality reviews and a corresponding favourable reputation for the retail product launch in months to come.
I must also acknowledge the many opposition products out there, many of which are very good (Borbely, Hageman, Deckert, Bottlehead to name four leading kit makers), and quietly admit that their very existence has spurred me to produce something exceptional. After all, this is the genesis of better products across the world - competition. I've always admired Nelson Pass and Linsley Hood, and while I really like their designs I feel that the high energy consumption of Class A is inappropriate in a greenhouse world. I strive to deliver Class A performance with energy efficient Class AB - to me this is the greatest intellectual challenge of audio design. The next challenge comes with Class D, but at this stage I believe I'm safe for a couple of years......

That's the plan!!
Cheers,
Hugh