According to the most recent email from the Outlaws, the next generation is being held up by problems with the newer generation of DSP they want to use.

So looks like we might not see the new pieces until late Q1 or early Q2.

Unfortunately for me, I won't be able to upgrade my processor anytime soon.

Have a girlfriend now and that really limits what I can spend on toys...need a new amp and speakers to replace my aging Kenwood THX stuff first anyhow.

But I know that Outlaw will give us quality stuff. I just hope they give us enough inputs.

It's pretty easy for me to wait for a new piece because I don't have any HD equipment. That being said, I plan on upgrading nearly everything next year.

Right now I'm just starting to see products that support HDMI 1.3 and they're all rather expensive. Many products say they support HDMI, but they don't say which version - you really have to dig around.

I think mid-2008 will be a prime time to purchase HD equipment. Most manufactures will have products supporting HDMI 1.3 and many will have 2nd or 3rd generation products just entering the market so competition for consumers will be high, which will drive prices down. At least that's what I hope will happen.

Hurry Outlaw...having hard time...resisiting...Onkyo/Integra...please

Just kidding, but I am anxiously awaiting the 990 replacement.

BloggingITGuy wrote:

I won't be able to upgrade my processor anytime soon. Have a girlfriend now and that really limits what I can spend on toys...

What can I say

Hey, what's new on the new 970 --> 980 front (and I will conceed 990 --> 1K)? We need the new 980 base level control unit(as discussed above) ASAP. What, with the new program content showing up on disk, I am feeling oppressed and deprived. I am sure the gonkster has the inside scoop. How long do we have to wait? I saw the mailing from Scott (I think) a couple months ago with the deals on the 970/990, but I need (OK, want) the new 7.1, 8.0, 10.2, and full PCM stuff. It is just killing me to see the hot-dog sound tracks on the new Blue Ray and HD-DVD disks that come up good old 5.1 on the 950. De-pressss--ing.

The last that we've heard is what was included in the "double down" announcement back in October...

I would think it would be prudent to keep the MSRP below the $1600-1800 point points of the Onkyo/Integra "new gen" processors.

How much was the initial MSRP for the Model 990?

A little pricing history:

Model 950 started at $899, went to $799 about a year later, ended up at $699 for the final few months of production.

Model 970 started at $799, after October's sale it has settled in at $699.

Model 990 started at $1099, dropped to $999 earlier this year (forget when exactly), and after October's sate it has settled in at $899 now.

It's hard to say what'll happen with the next gen products. I'd hope that they'd remain fairly true to their roots - which would suggest something at or under $900 and perhaps something "upscale" from there between $1100 and $1300.

Wow, thanks gonk!

I figured I'd have to drop more than that, if the Outlaws stick close to that pricing structure, that is.

I gotta admit, I personally couldn't care less about the video performance of the processor. It would be a decent bonus, but I'd hate to spend potentially hundreds more for more esoteric video abilities. I'd much rather see a heavy emphasis on audio performance and capability.

Also, I wonder what case design Outlaw will adopt? I like the Model 990 case design. I believe Boston Acoustics and Sherwood utilized this design as well. It's not ultra sexy, but looks built for ass-kickin' and has a nice amount of space between the front panel buttons and back panel connections.

Though whatever Outlaw chooses for its look, hopefully it's nothing like Emotiva's "it just looks expensive" cheesiness and gaudy "Christmas tree" blue lighting of their components.