Might try to hunt down a loaner from someone here soon.

It's pretty common for pro-audio dealers to have demo programs.  Definitely worth making a few calls around Austin to see if you can find one to demo.  I spent a long holiday weekend with the Hilo before I decided to pull the trigger.  The dealer took my credit card info when I picked up the demo, but didn't process the transaction until I said it was OK to do so.  The final nice thing they did: Lynx is a lot closer to me than the dealer, so when I decided I'd rather have silver than black, they arranged for me to do an exchange at Lynx in Costa Mesa instead of having to drive up to Los Angeles.

Did the black finish not look so goot?  I was debating color but the black looked a little cheesier to me despite that my components are mostly black.

Also this foreign review has some nice internal shots for those interested.

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=el&u=http://avmentor.gr/reviews/lynx_hilo_0.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlynx%2Bhilo%2Breview%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbo%3Dd%26biw%3D1536%26bih%3D783&sa=X&ei=BZL0ULHDD4Ls8wS22oCACA&ved=0CFEQ7gEwBDgU

The black finish, per se, wasn't the issue.  I didn't like the overall look of the black, because there is a lot of high-contrast white lettering.  I think the black would look better if the lettering were gray or silver.

Send it and we'll listen to it!

Adding some more info:

Street price for a New Lynx Hilo from dealers is $2050 to $2100, depending on cash/check or credit/debit/paypal payment, compared to the $2495 MSRP

Also, Scott from adkproaudio is offering New Lynx Hilos for $1850 + shipping(+2% additional discount for payment by check) for members of the other place(just pretend you're one Hehe).  Overall, I paid using check, and it cost me $1832 shipped from the Lynx factory in CA to North Carolina in the east coast. 

What a bargain!!

Also, Lynx is working on a remote control option for the Hilo, so you can leave the Hilo's touch screen off and use your ipad to change its settings.  Talked to Phil over email and they're actively working on it.

^Nice update...thank you!  It's an ADC too, so vinyl rips should be great.  Do many people rip their new vinyl as soon as they get it?

I do, and the 192/24 rips using the Hilo are very, very nice.  I could put a couple of tracks in my Dropbox public folder if you're interested (PM if yes).

My signal chain for vinyl is Rega P3 w/external power supply/Sumiko Blackbird/Whest Two/Hilo.