A local hifi dealer has 2x DSP5500 and a DSP5500HC on demo. Which due to this forum I was forced to go and listen to today.

The DSP5500HC has a smiley face, but the DSP5500 doesn't. I know from the sticker on the back that the DSP5500 have had the 24/96 upgrade.

Are the DSP5500 left and right speakers (without the smiley) MK-I upgraded, or were any MK-IIs produced without the smiley face?

I thought from memory the all DSP5500 MK I were straight faced, and the DSP5500 MKII had a smiley face?

The reason for the question is that I wondered what price in New Zealand $ would be reasonablefor this set-up.(This is from an official Meridian dealer with warranty.)

Is the difference purley cosmetic, or should I be hanging our for a pair of MK-IIs?

p.s. the units are ex-demo units.

Final question, does anyone know the final year of production for the MK-I DSP5500? and when the DSP5500 were introduced?

Thanks in advance.
Sorry for so many questions

568, 3x B&W Nautils 801, SIM2 DLP Parasound 2205A Bryston 9B/SST