I forgot to say one more thing...
Both the VP150 and QS8 that I bought were from the Factory Outlet. Although many people have said this already, I would repeat it here: I just cannot find a "blemish" in the units shipped to me. I did not use my lab's Zeiss microscope to examine every corner of them, but I just do not see anything that I would describe as a cosmetic blemish. I would not have minded a few scratches at all, but being unable to find one still feels nice! I can endorse a purchase from the F.O. highly, whenever you can grab what you want there.
By the way, my VP150 and QS8 are in Cherry. The surface finish is so refined that, even placed right next to my Hales (originally $3500/pair with, of course, real wood veneers), it does not look cheap at all.
