hi folks,
I went to sherwoodusa site ,the preamp (P-965)
is future proofed with an 'HDMI Link' as shown below.
http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_hsb600.html

Does anyone know if something similar is in works for 990 ? It will be a better option than DVI inputs.

I haven't heard about such a device, but it's possible something similar is in the works. Keep in mind, though, that this device offers very little over the 990's DVI video switching - specifically, the only advantage is transcoding component video to HDMI (which would be pretty cool, admittedly). There is no HDMI audio capability added to the P-965 (or any other processor) when the HSB-600 is added, making those HDMI connections functionally almost identical to the 990's DVI. The HSB-600 should be able to pass HDMI audio to a TV, but that's not where we really want to be sending HDMI audio in a home theater system.

If I understand it correctly, the two HDMI-Link products that Sherwood are selling work would work with any receiver that has component out. Frankly, I don't see the products attractiveness unless you need a HDMI switching capability or have a TV/Monitor that does not have a component video input.

My Marantz DV-9600 sends audio to the SR-9600 receiver via HDMI as well as through i-link.
Would've loved Outlaw to incorporate i-link, as it definitely sounds better than through analog interlinks (provided your receiver decoding equals or betters your player's).
Not all is rosy though- there are frequent unexplainable "cannot link" issues, forcing me to switch off and on both player and receiver.
Dunno why this is, same problem with my previous Pioneer DV989 as I recall.
Barend