Need some expert opinion

[ggiese]

That's simply untrue...
Some older models don't make a ping at all, and many of them sound different. In fact the DuPont limited editions such as the catacombs and the 5th ave don't make any noise when you open them and those are new (relatively)

Thanks for setting the community straight! ...a year and a half later is no matter, even though Newbie999 has long ago moved on with his purchase decision.