I have been using th RR 2150 for several months and really like it.

Now I am thinking about upgrading my home theater with the 990 (I currently have a 10 year old Rotel).

Two questions. Would the 990 be a worthwhile upgrade?

Secondly, has anyone used a professional installer to help getting the 990 up and running? If so how does one go about finding someone who is willing to do the work without selling you the equipment.

I could muddle through it myself I am sure, but I think having someone who knows all the ins and outs interconnecting all the components would be a big help and in the end perhaps give better performance.

Any thoughts.

Thanks

What are you using now (if anything) for multi-channel sound in your home theater or listening room? If you already have an AV receiver and swap it out for spearates with either the 990 or 970 and an Outlaw amp, it really isn't that hard to do, Perhaps a bit of a pain to move everything, and remember that you'll need more space in your rack or shelves for a processor and amp, but otherwise it's pretty much unplug the old and plug in the new.

Here is what I have.

AV preamp: Proceed (not Rotel as indicated in original post)

Amps: Seven channels using Rotel (1- RB 993 and 2 - RB 991: all are 200 watts/channel)

Subs: 3 - Definitive PF 1800 18" subs

Projector: InFocus ScreenPlay 7205

Screen: 120"

Other Stuff: DVD player; Digital Cable box; VHS player.

The InFocus is wire up for DVI video (cable is run but currently not used) and component video.

My biggest concern is getting the system optimized for using the DVI Interconnect.

You could probably get some setup help from either Modern Music or Underground Sound, but Underground at least will probably charge you more than I think is reasonable (the figure they quoted to a co-worker of mine for setting up the Rotel gear that he'd just bought from them seemed steep at the time). Audio Video Artistry and Elite Multimedia are both local firms that rep Sherwood, meaning that they should at least be familiar with the P-965 that the 990 is based on. Unfortunately, the firmware in the 990 is significantly different from the P-965 (entirely new menu layout, different bass management) and there's a different remote in addition to the DVI switching and balanced outputs, so they'll have some reading up to do as well.

If you've got a home theater setup already, PodBoy's right that you probably could get set up well without enlisting an installer. You could pull the Proceed and and slide in the 990, then add the DVI cabling - the 990's DVI switching needs very little tweaking (in fact, the 990 itself just needs to be told to use the DVI switching and it's done). You'd want to re-calibrate your InFocus once you had everything hooked up, but that process would be no different than what you've probably done previously with the InFocus's component input.

Thanks PodBoy and Gonk for the feedback

Actually Modern Music installed my system 7 years ago and I got most of my equipment from them at the time. Since they changed ownership several years ago I don't think they have been as responsive on some issues as I would have liked. I have also bought some equipment from Underground Sound, but as you mentioned they feel very good about their ability to charge.

I will check out the other two companies you have mentioned and then decide whether to try it on my own or bring in help.

Paul B,
Just an fyi, don't forget to cover actual cabinet space (if there is one) when replacing the proceed w/ a 990. The 990 has a little height to it - really.
Have fun and keep us in the loop.

My equipment is in a seperate little room. It has a steel equipment rack where all the equipment is stacked. Lots of ventilation around the equipment.

In the next several weeks I am going to add an A/C outlet duct in the room to keep it a little cooler, and then I think I will be all set.

Thanks for all the input.

I also jus received my 990/7700 combo and I must say, I'm a little intimidated in starting the connection process. Other than the provided manuals, is there something on the Outlaw site to walk through the connections?

The manual's basically it, but (assuming the hiccup I had with my site's DNS this week isn't interfering) you can also refer to my sample wiring diagrams and ask questions here. What components are you connecting?