Thanks AD, good to get the word from the real world.
I love my 450D, it's my main shack radio, and at $650 it is a smokin' bargain. Comes with a pretty fair tuner, TXCO, etc., it is hard to beat. Main Trading Co. had them down at $640 for a few days, but now they're back up to $650 again. I tend to throw them my business, since they're a sponsor of the Fo Time podcast and all that. Plus, when there was a snafu with an order last spring they called and sorted it all out before I even realized there was a problem. Anyway, I'm in the mood to try another radio, but at that price it has me interested in a 2nd one for a backup. At least, it is in the running. I know that it works, and know how to work it, but... variety.
MTC's also got Alnico SR8T's for $490, and that's under consideration too. But I'm going to see what I can find used at the hamfest. Like I said, no hurry. It is good to hear that the TXCO and SSB filter aren't really needed on the 857D; thanks for the word. That helps the budget a bit.