I got my Type-S last week for $320 shipped from Japan (2-3 day shipping expedited).
It would have cost much less if I had been patient enough to wait the extra 5 days for regular shipping or through a forwarding service but I had money to spend and needed a keyboard because programming and writing legal memorandums on my rMBP keyboard was unbearable - it is what it is.
The regular model through EK is around 250 shipped with the current sale going on (this is before sales tax if applicable). This would be a damn good deal for the keyboard until you take into account the fact that the Japanese Yen has fallen quite a bit in recent weeks.
This means you can definitely get the Type-S through Amazon.co.jp and have Tenso (or some other forwarding company) forward it to you for less than 300 total.
40-50 dollars more for Type-S? My answer is yes, everyday.
And yes, I have tried the dental band mod on non-silenced Topres and they feel like crap compared to the Type-S (they still feel good but the Type-S is just so much better and still quieter).
Here my take on it:
Those that think the Type-S isn't worth the premium over the regular model either own a non-Type-S and are at least somewhat defensive over their decision to not get the Type-S, or they paid 100 dollars more for a Type-S which even I will admit is overly exorbitant.
It is no longer the case that the Type-S comes at a 100 dollar premium. The ~50 dollar premium, at least in my own opinion, is well worth the cost (plus you get the elitist "Type-S" logo on the board
)
Also, if you don't like the color, just Plasti Dip or slap some 3M vinyl wrap on it (this is what I will be doing in the winter when I have more free time). This way you'll have a greater variety of color choices if you so desire and have a layer of protection on top of the keyboard.
Whistlegate is blown out of proportion in my opinion. My brand new Type-S is whistle free except for the Delete key and most people who have received a whistling Type-S have reported that it goes away after a couple of months or after applying lube to the sliders.
I would also mention that half of the selling point of the HHKB is the layout. Everyone mentions the Control placement as the determinative factor in getting an HHKB but I will say that I am equally happy with the BS/Delete key placement (I never leave the home row any more). The HHKB JP has a tiny ass Delete key in the upper right hand corner so you will still have to move away from the home row unless you have gigantic pinkies.
In the end, only you can decide which model is best for you (but note that the Type-S has never been more attractive price-wise).
For me, the HHKB Type-S has been my grail keyboard since getting into this hobby a year and a half ago and I waited until now to finally pull the trigger (I sold off all of my other keyboards to do afford this but it was well worth it in the end). $320 dollars for a grail in any hobby is a reasonable price, I'd say!
(now if only someone would make a PBT spacebar for this and I'll be forever happy)