Re: X16 Preview
See, that looks perfect to me, all the software power of the X32, 8 analogue, and the full AES I/O for S16s, Ultralink, Ethernet etc, but in a smaller form factor. And then there would be the X16r which is the same I/O but in a 1u box, with just a tiny LCD and a couple of buttons to set the IP address. (For those in the install marketplace - think what a fun option that would be!)
But realistically, given the X32 price point, how big a market would there be for an X16 like that? The X32 works at that price point because there is going to be a bucketload of them going out the door, a less spectacular seller probably means bigger margins, and then the price differential between the 32 and the 16 would be eroded to the point that you may as well by the X32.
The pic Uli posted is a thing going for a whole different market. One might even suggest that it is riding on the coat-tails and reputation of the X32. But I don't think may folks will be stuck in the position of choosing between the X32 and the new proposal, which I just don't want to call the X16.
And therein lies the problem. The range of products with the syntax [letter][digit][digit] all work together as a system, largely because of AES, and the consensus of disappointment (which I share) is that the proposed X16 isn't another part of the same system to inter-work and complement the existing stuff; its something different. That's not to say it isn't a great idea (which it clearly is a great idea) and that it wont sell by the truckload (which it probably will).
I think the suggested name of iX16 is good - it invokes the heritage 
but has a differentiator.
