OK, so I got it...here's a review: (I used a Morgan 3C, FF Tensing Ring, and Vandoren 3 1/2 reed)
Initial impressions: WOW! The finish is beautiful, nice case too. The parts and metal are thick and high quality, and it actually weighs a bit more than my Grassi. The engraving is very well done.
Ergonomics: Well, it feels a lot like an SA-80 Serie II. The only real difference is that the altissimo F# key is straight rather than slightly L shaped. Nice MOP key touches and very nice spring action. My only complaint is that the "throw" of the octave key is a bit long - the could probably be rectified with a larger cork bumper on the end of the key itself.
Intonation: Very even up and down the horn, except for A2 and D2.
Response: OK, here's where things are a bit strange. The horn has a bit of resistance to it that feels like Selmer - unfortunately, that also means that the low register also doesn't respond nearly as fast as the Grassi or Keilwerth. It also has the infamous low register warble on low C that the Selmer horns have, which is irritating, but not unexpected. I can't get around in the low register quite as fast on this horn than I can on my Grassi either. The good news is that the high register, particularly the altissimo, comes out very nice and evenly.
Sound: It's a medium dark horn, actually a bit darker than the Grassi and far darker than a Yamaha. Again, it has a very "Selmer-like" core to the sound. One problem here...the middle D and A are kind of stuffy compared to my Grassi, which is one thing I always look out for on any horn. Since those two horns are where the register break occur, it takes some doing to get them to sound right and not stick out and sound "airy". Even some of the best "big four" horns have this problem, and it's very annoying because it can be difficult to get thee into tune. I didn't expect this horn to be much different in this respect. Larger bore horns don't seem to suffer this problem as much, but every Selmer and Yamaha I've owned have had the same issue. All and all, the sound is very good, but the two "register notes" are kind of ordinary - I'm always hoping for something a bit nicer. (I've run across very few horns that didn't have this problem in one form or another.)
Summary: This is a very good horn from Buffet. The price is right too. I disagree that it isn't a pro horn...it certainly plays very well, although it's different than the Buffets of old. I think it would work well in most situations, as I could see playing chamber music with it and jazz/rock. It's built like a tank, too, with double arms on the bell keys. I think they have a real winner here, but it's not enough to make me give up my Grassi 2000 - then again, it would take a lot to do that and the fact that I even considered it says quite a bit.
) it's tough to tell without playing it. I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's probably similar to either a Selmer or Yani. 