Hi Dave. Thanks for the interesting update. I've some thoughts on a possible SM V4. Any gripes herein should be read in the context of coming from a long-time SM fan (I've got three)-
1. Yes, I'm sure the addition of HDMI would be widely welcomed if the route to avoiding the licencing penalties is viable.
2. Don't stray too far from the simplicity of the existing SM. I'm sure that's a key part of its appeal. A lot of the stuff you talk about like graphical displays touch controls, meters etc. are pushing it into the realm (and price bracket) of your long talked about Super Quad Preamp. I'd suggest that is a very different market.
3. For broadly similar reasons I would strongly argue against the inclusion of CD-4 in the SM. Added cost and very limited appeal I'd wager (if you thought matrix decoding niche...!). What proportion of matrix users also want CD-4 ? - vanishingly small I'd guess. Do it as a standalone unit by all means (if your market research indicates there is a market which could even recover your development and tooling costs) - or again leave it for the Super Quad Preamp.
4. What would I definitely change? -
(a) I will beat Sonik to suggesting this one (!) - include a proper synthesis mode as he has long suggested. Frankly the Involve decode alone is not the greatest stereo to quad extractor, particularly on material of limited stereo width.
(b) Add a real master volume control. I've never understood Chucky's advice to use the input level control for this function - it's just a bodge. The individual speaker level controls are also more of a ornament than of value (have never adjusted mine). I'd actually reduce the main speaker controls down to just two - Master Volume and Front / Rear Balance (you could add L/R balance if you really wanted too).
5. Improve it by making it do what it does even better and broaden its appeal by making it simpler! If you try and make it all things to all men it will satisfy no one and cost the earth. Cheers.
Keep a sharp look out Capn!