I guess I'm in the minority but the big deal about HDMI for me "today" is a way to get SACD and DVD-A into my Pre-Pro. I know these formats haven't taken off big time, but I have a pretty big collection of them. Right now there is no way to get those formats into the Pre/Pro digitally. Why spend money on a nice Pre/Pro if you are only going to use it as an Analog PreAmp? If HDMI isn't ready yet at least give me a Firewire connection until HDMI is done cooking.