research
re·search
[ri-surch, ree-surch]
noun
1. diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.
I wasn't robbed - I got what I paid for because I took the time to make sure I was getting what I wanted. If I want a piece of software, I research it, try the demo and if I don't like it, I tell the company why I'm not buying their product.
By some of the reactions to the HD500X I gather that when I go to the supermarket and see products I have used for years that are now "New and Improved" or "Super" or "Ultra" that I should feel like a pissed off beta tester who got robbed of taste, or functionality, or scent, or cleaning power, etc.
Your HD500 probably has more market value than you think. I'm pretty sure that even in a limited market I could find someone who has done the research on both the HD500 and HD500X and would buy mine for $400 to save $100 for a fractional loss of DSP that most users don't use anyway.
Since Line 6 has created a site for suggesting product ideas, instead of whining maybe you should suggest something. For example, if you really believe that the HD500X is exactly the same except for hardware, then might it not be possible for Line 6 to redesign the HD series into something like a computer that allows for hardware upgrades? Maybe they could sell a standard unit with X amount of memory and 1 DSP but have expansion slots for adding more memory and DSPs. Maybe they could program the HD Edit software with preferences for user-configurable unit displays.