slightly off topic here but.......
Ive been watching this thread and it seems to me that the front end of the LH500 is very similar to my Crate BT-350.
It has a tube pre,low and high boost switches,active or passive input,low mid and high controls.Then there's the switchable 7 band graphic,chorus,switchable limiter.It can be bi-amped with variable crossover frequencies,balanced xlr and unbalanced 1/4" outputs,effects loop etc etc.Apparently it shares a lot of its internals with SWP and Ampeg Amps.....apparently.
If you ever come across one of these lil' sleepers i'd recommend you try it.I ditched my LMK2 in favour of the crate and mine set me back the grand total off £130 of the bay.It never fails to deliver and the tone is great too.
It has some very favourable reviews on harmony central,you should have a look see.
Now then,back to the Hartke.........