This may have been asked before but I cnat find it with a search. Is there a faq regarding the differences between the stage, tribute, and stage II?
Hey,
http://www.moogmusic.com/littlephatty/
You can read the various specs on the links to the respective model.
Eric
I don’t want to say for sure because I don’t own an LP.
I just think they should put an easy comparison between the models. The updates/software/versions etc.. is getting pretty confusing
Stage I-Almost the same as a Stage II, except early Stage I’s do not have the upgraded S&H and noise chips. Not a big deal, as I don’t believe that I have them, and I am quite happy with the sound. Also, Stage II’s have USB. A Stage I is compatible with OS 2.00 up, which is where I believe the confusion sets in.
Stage II-The latest incarnation of the LP, with upgraded S&H and noise chips. Has a black rear panel.
Tribute-The first LP to be released. Has less room for memory than the Stage I & II, so OS 2.00 will not work with it. Which is why OS 1.04 was developed. A memory upgrade is available, and OS 2.0T is functional when the memory upgrade is made. The Tribute has some issues that could not be addressed in 2.00, because these issues were fixed in the Stage I edition, so they had to write OS 2.0T to add fixes.
Hope this helps! 
Right before the release of the LP Stage II, I asked Amos when the improved sample and hold ICs were implemented in the LP Stage I. Here’s a direct quote from him: “about 50 units ago, I think.”
So it would seem only the very last batches of LP Stage Is have the improved sample and hold ICs found in the LP Stage IIs. I can confirm this as I was easily able to detect the noise on an LP Stage I in the 2900 serial number range.
Thanks for that T7. I’ve got Stage I 1326, and while I hear some noise on the S&H, it doesn’t seem worth it to me to get it fixed. The ends doesn’t seem to justify the means for me. Just my opinion. 
very nicely summed up, voltor
Thanks, jimkost!