[Randy Chase]

Thanks for this thread Dave. I did the same mod today. Just to add my 2 cents.

The CF Surround really looks much better than the stock one. I think a painted surround would also look good.

Removing the two bottom screws under the alum tray only loosens the bottom bracket. If you remove the screws all the way, you will have to line things back up. To be clear, you will not be able to pull out the surround and it's guts and the bracket at the same time. The bracket has two long slots that are captured by lips on the bracket.

I loosened the two bottom screws and then pushed the top in where two catches hook on the top of the surround to the alum tray (top). Then the whole surround assembly pulls out with some wiggling.

Pushing everything back in, it feels pretty snug. This module seems so simple when you get it apart, it would be easy to mod.. for example, to add a small dim LED to light up the knobs at night. Hmm...