Glad to hear the Phi 2.0 lives on. I'd hate to think I've already got a collectors' item after 11 months! For the type of sound I was looking for, Kevin said it wasn't even close between the Ren Signature and the Phi 2.0 (which I consequently got). I don't use the phono stage, so maybe I could have saved a few bucks with the Sig, but I wanted the newest design that fit my ear. The Phi just keeps sounding better as other parts of my system finally break in.
Apparently the original Sig circuitry, etc. is very time-consuming to fabricate, which accounts for the higher price(with phono), but not necessarily better sound as compared to the Phi. I am VERY happy with the 2.0, plus, as already mentioned, it just looks GREAT!