I'm using Boston Acoustics VR3 mains , VRC center , and Micro130x rears .

I'm probably going to just settle on the 7125 amp, use my existing Harman Kardon AVR235's pre-outs, and wait for Outlaw to debut a new processor. I figure one will come sooner-or-later and it'll probably be better overall than the 990. It's not that I'm dying for HDMI ability, it's more a factor of money, the 990 having a couple years on it, and the nagging feeling that if I get the 990, I'll ultimately be taking just a "half-step" ahead of what I have now.

IMHO, I think you're making a good decision. It really sounds, excuse the pun, that you've researched your options.

I hate buying technology for exactly the reason you stated. It seems like everytime I buy something, no matter how much research I do, it gets updated within the next month. I guess that's what I get for being so "hi-tech"!

The inevitable trick is deciding when to quit worrying about the next big thing and just get something good now. It's a trick because there's no one way to decide when to do it. A nice separate amp like the 7125 will certainly be a mighty fine upgrade to occupy you during the wait for the next (HDMI v1.3) generation to appear.

Thanks

...and I'm not trying to say that the 990 is bad or "outdated", it's just that if I bought the 990 now, and Outlaw even simply announced development of a new processor either later in the year or sometime next year, I'd most likely be very content with the 990, but I know I would be quietly thinking I should have waited just a little longer. Especially if the next processor arrives and gets rave reviews...which I'm sure it will. I'll grab the 7125, invest in some new wires and cables, and be content until Outlaw announces their next giant killer.

Well, I've looked into Emotiva's amp line-up.

I'm looking things this way right now:

1. Outlaw 7500 (7-CH/200W XLR/RCA): $1,600 w/ shipping.
2. Outlaw 7125 (7-CH/125W RCA): $1,000 w/ shipping.
3. Emotiva IPS-1 (7-CH/150W RCA): $1,200 w/ free shipping.
4. Emotiva MPS w/ 5-CH/200W XLR/RCA modules: $1,300 w/ free shipping.
5. Emotiva LPA-1 (7-CH/125W RCA): $500 w/ free shipping.

I'm unsure I really trust the Emotiva MPS-1. I'm starting a couple reports of power failure in the separate amps, that's no good. I hear the IPS-1 is essentially the MPS-1 except w/o balanced inputs, 50W less per channel, and a 2db higher noise floor.

I can't shake the fact the Outlaws are assembled in the U.S. Of course, who really knows if that means anything more nowadays though. The royal pain about this is, if I went for what will probably be the most "future-proof" amp (enough power for almost any future set-up), the Outlaw 7500, for "ONLY" $200+ more I could snag the 990 pre/7125 amp combo. Thus sacrificing 75W for the "whole package" at once.

Plus personally, when I get right down to it, the Emotiva stuff kinda does look like cheap stuff, "dressed up."

Not cheap stuff to this guy! Or me either. I've see the insides. Built like a tank.
hometheaterhifi.com review

I'm on the hunt already to replace my 990, I want all the new tech+bells and whistles to match up with my new 1080p 61" DLP. The 990 has server me well, but it has fallen behind the curve for what I want.

I've been with Outlaw since the 1050 (then 950/770) and now the 900/770 and eagerly await the next model. Kudos for Outlaw not including DVI switching 'back in the day' (950) but HDMI seems to be here to stay for a while, in some numerical and hopefully backwards compatible way.

If you want HDMI now and are comfortable with v1.1, you may want to look at an AVM40 or AVM50. If you want HDMI v1.3, you've got one option so far (a $600 Onkyo receiver) but should start seeing more later this year.

I'm holding out for a 1.3 option, I plan on keeping the set for a while so the target is to have them the same spec (or greater).

I'd guess that within less than a year you'll have a decent array of options for v1.3.