"it was SONICblue who insisted on making a large batch of Mk.2A players."

Management....

Well, I'm glad you made more. Now I have 3!!!
I think, also, that this list may have 'higher bar' members than it might have otherwise. (this author excluded).

The MK2 is a good lead sales tool. WHEN you come out with a more consumerized version, I'll buy one for my parents and shove it down all my friends throats. (Should be easy, they're all engineers)