BTW, I actually did purchase the Loki, Loki+, and Lokius all right at their time of release. (I thought the time-frame was more concise--so much for my sense of time). It just seemed like right before I knew it, there was another iteration of a Schiit EQ-- mostly I mean between the Lokius and Loki Max. Surely, I can imagine, some of us who had purchased the Lokius at time of release, and yet who would also be able to afford the Loki Max, would feel a bit frustrated, having practically just bought the Lokius, and now having the upgrade available? I gather from the ongoing Schiit production posts that the Loki Max was a long time in the planning, and only able to produce around the time they had released the Lokius. In any event, I'm quite happy with the Lokius for now. It is an upgrade in my system. Cheers to Schiit for these good yet affordable products.