I would in no way purchase an older 2n1 with the Everburn system. Waaaaay too much bad press about it and other design deficiencies in those units. Esp the extremely fragile refractory material used.
However - VC has done a tremendous job in fixing what they acknowledge was a design that needed a few key areas re-engineered. Not only did the new VC owners take the work back from China, they also did a full re-design on the stove, as is seen in the videos. So, with that, it really looks to me like the Encore 2n1 is now a mature design.
What I never admitted here before, is that when I got my stove brand new I declined letting the dealer set it up. I took it completely apart, right off the pallet. Down to individual pieces. I wanted to KNOW how this thing was put together - how the design execution looked from every angle. And guess what - it was superb. Inside and out, the Encore I got was a tour de force of American workmanship. I'm really proud to own it (and for $5500.00 I should be). Its impressively designed, manufactured and assembled in the USA.
This is NOT the old stove that gave VC a sullied name. I can see you're still down on this product but I respectfully must say that things are simply not the same as they once were. The new VC stove is more than just redesigned. The company has gone through a major upheaval. This is never easy to do, and for most businesses its the end of the road. When I see a company take work back like VC has - providing jobs, emphasizing quality, admitting past failures, and supporting our economy I will jump on board with that.
Vermont Castings is now a major American powerhouse. They do the castings for many other brand names in the industry such as Harman and Jotul. Yes, I'm an outspoken customer of the new company, and this product specifically. I am inexperienced, but I'm also a professional engineer and know good work when I see it. I will keep my fingers crossed, but the proof is in the pudding as they say. So far, the new Encore Flexburns appear to have gotten off to a very very good start.