I just read this now, and I found it interesting what you found about the linear and audio taper pots. That's how the 335 copy (XV-900) I bought from them is as well, at least on the volume knobs. It annoyed me to no end until I found out about the logarithmic audio pots, at which point I thought it might be related to that. I suppose knowing that it's not necessarily a defect makes me feel a lot better.

Good to know and nice review.