> The empeg guys haven't changed the box design and it needs it

The box has changed, although the general concept is the same. We don't use polystyrene or foam because we were advised the the ecologically-correct American market would not accept this. Nonetheless, the packaging has been tested against considerable forces - for it to get seriously squashed suggests that it has been treated very roughly.

Players that are returned for repair are usually packaged in the original box, and in most cases the packaging is still in excellent condition - and that's after two shipping cycles.

In the case of the Mk.2 players that have shipped so far, an additional partition which fits vertically in front of the player screen has been missing. We're expecting delivery of them soon, and this will help to further reinforced the carton.

Rob