David, you have it completely backwards. In the original coverage of the Black Cube in Mr. Fremer’s column (no full review ever appeared) the price was $700:
https://www.lehmannaudio.com/assets/products/black_cube/reviews/EN_review_stereophile_1998_10_black_...Subsequently, the price went down, the 2007 Stereophile Buyer’s Guide shows it at $459. Though there is an SE version with upgraded power supply at $689. Although, by then, almost all of the parts had been changed and it was very different from the initial versions.
Accuracy has never been a hallmark of internet forms. Just some trivia.
DHM, all you need is a magnet to see if the case is steel or aluminum. Or you can just tell by weight.
I hope that the 78 in your handle means that you play 78s!