From what I've read, the Statement D1 is a great piece of gear. The AVM-30 is a subtle evolution of the AVM-20, which while several years old is still a consistently praised unit as well. I'd gladly put either in my equipment rack given the opportunity and could never find fault in anyone electing to buy one of them, but both are well outside my price range. Both offer support for 1394, although I'm not sure if it's been implemented in software yet. Neither offer EQ that I can tell, and neither offer any support for HDMI, so I don't see how they could be considered more "future proof" than the 990.

anthem is going to have an upgrade this summer (at an undetermined cost and about 3 weeks away from home for the equipment) that will upgrade the avm-30 with 1394 and hdmi (plus video transcoding, component video switching for zone 2, and perhaps the inclusion of a video scaler, depending on cost).

at this point, my choice is between the 990 and the avm-30. i am on the 990 waiting list, and will probably put it in my system and see if it meets my needs. if so, i'll keep it -- if not, i'll return it and get the avm-30. outlaw's return policy makes for "no-mistake" shopping!

gonk, it is indeed the Anthem AVM 30. in fact I was just about to pull the trigger when I got the email about the 990. Still not decided on which yet. With IEEE-1394 I could listen to all formats including SACD. With HDMI, no SACD support.

But Firewire may be a dinosaur if the HDMI format is finalized for everything including HD-DVD/Blue Ray and Anthem is wondering if it is worth the cost to implement it if it will indeed be obsolete. My DVD player (Denon 3910) has both HDMI and Firewire. And I have read issues of audio dropouts via HDMI. I think Anthem will introduce IEEE-1394 despite the fact that many current Anthem owners don't even know what it is.

The Anthem is termed "future proof" in that there are rear panels that are ready to handle these future upgrades for firewire and HDMI. If Outlaw could be upgraded in the future to HDMI, I would do it and not look back. But I don't see anywhere on the back of the unit that could accommodate a future upgrade.

There is so much happening now it makes my head spin trying to decide.

The AVM-30 certainly has some solid credentials. I will be curious to see what comes out of the planned upgrade for it - the changes davewb describes are major (there's no spot on the back panel that would readily accept HDMI jacks unless they forego the 1394 support and squeeze HDMI into that space, and the video upgrades described would suggest the replacement of at least some of the video boards), but they still don't appear to add auto-calibration (and by extension, that means no auto EQ). As I've said earlier, I would never tell someone to not get an AVM-30 or D1 if they had the cash for it, but I also don't see the 990 as a stop-gap - unless you buy it in order to wait a couple years (a pretty big gap) for the whirlwind to die down a bit and a few things to be decided on (high def disc format, HDMI audio standards) and fine-tuned. Obviously some folks may have systems that are better suited for the AVM-30, but I think many people could be equally well served by the 990 - especially with a $1,900 price difference and some form of digital video switching available immediately.

Points well taken. That's why I am having a hard time deciding which to do. You are right about the EQ; Anthem doesn't even use a calibration mike.

There may have to be a very discernable difference in audio to justify the Anthem (I can't really afford it either) but that has never stopped me before! But then consider paying $1,900 more then paying say $800 to send it back for the upgrade. You are almost at $4000.

So get the Outlaw now and spend the $2,700 later when all this pans out.

I almost convinced myself

Answer: Because Room EQ is here NOW, and I'd rather not wait 2 more years for it. A De__n rep told me they're coming out with a pre-pro based on the 4806 this coming fall..which would include the Audyssey MultEQ. I guess I'll have to wait until then to know more.

The Denon 4806 isn't even listed on their site yet, and it is reported to have a list price of $3,500. That's a significant difference in price from the $1100 we're talking about for a 990. Chop the amps out of the 4806 (something that we haven't seen done by Denon in a very long while), and you're likely to still be well north of $2000 when (or if) it arrives. That could still make for a pretty interesting package, and if room EQ is a feature that appeals to you it could be worthwhile for you to wait a bit and see what comes of it. For others (myself included), lack of room EQ isn't enough to rule the 990 out - especially in light of the other things it does offer and the potential (based on numerous review of the P-965) for it to turn in good sound.

I don't think anyone here will object to you typing out Denon's entire name. (Why did I have an odd flashback to reading Harry Potter books just now? "The manufacturer who must not be named..." )

Included within the photos of the 990 is a picture of two remotes with a circular device in between them.

What's the circular device?

That's the microphone for the auto calibration, I believe.

Gonk,

I'm guesstimating that the 4806 will have a "street price" of around $2600 or so. Extrapolating, I estimate that a pre-pro based on the 4806 will list in the neighborhood of $2500 or so, with a "street price" of $1750 or thereabouts. Would that price be a sweet spot for me IF it includes Audyssey MultEQ? Quite possibly, since Denon tends to feature pack their products. Then again, Audyssey might have their standalone box at that point..which would make things moot.
I agree that the 990 is an absolutely incredible bargain for what the Outlaws are asking. It's just that I'm salivating over automatic room eq.