Been a while since I have visited but have been enjoying the 990/770 combo for a while in my HT system. With the addition of Blu-ray (Sony BDP-S1 and Playstation 3) and HD-DVD players (Toshiba HD-A2) to the mix, the temptation of DTS-HD Master Audio and TrueHD creeps in every now and then. Have browsed a bit here and there and note that the only pre-pros I have found that will currently do those formats are the new Onkyo Pro unit and the mirror image Integra 9.8. I have been tempted, but frankly both are almost nowhere to be found right now anyway. Onkyo and a few others have receivers with that capability and I suppose I could use the pre-outs on such a receiver to feed into the Outlaw amp, eliminating the 990 as the pre-pro. I see that the Outlaws probably have a new pre-pro in the pipeline, but it is probably just in the beginning stages at his point. My options appear to be 1) hope the Outlaws are ahead of the anticipated schedule with a new pre-pro, 2) keep looking for an available Onkyo Pro or Integra 9.8, 3) try one of the new SSRs and do the pre-out route, or 4) run in place until the Outlaw unit is available. I am leaning towards 4) (or hopefully 1) because I remember the difference the 950 (and then, the 990) made to my system when I replaced the Denon AVR-5800 (a formidable receiver at the time) with those units, and I cannot imagine a receiver's pre-pro section or even one of the new dedicated Integra/Onkyo pre-pros outstripping my 990 in terms of overall sonic performance. However, I am a bit prejudiced about my Outlaw gear and was wondering if any of you had entertained similar thoughts? Thanks!

Mike

I'm sitting tight with 4) myself. I'm quite happy with the 990. Some time next year I'll start thinking about what I want to do about pursuing HDMI v1.x support.

mgdurand wrote:

However, I am a bit prejudiced about my Outlaw gear and was wondering if any of you had entertained similar thoughts?

I, too, am [at least] pleased with my outlaw equipment. Actually, more than just pleased. As you can see below I have two complete systems. So I guess that provides at least one positive answer.

Though I have two 990s I am still very interested in the features that the new pre/pro will have....not that I am at present convinced that HMDI 1.3 will be ncessary. But, then, maybe the new audio features will be significant. It sounds so good now, but......who knows.

One system [strictly audio) will not change. The other (with big TV) might have a swap of 990 for new one.

HDMI inputs will be very important for many reasons. Passing along the higher data rate (video and audio) makes it so.

I am currently happy with my 990. However, I think expctations is for Outlaw to release a "1000" early next year that mimics the 990, but adds;

Video switching with a minimum of 4 HDMI (v1.3) inputs, and decoding for all of the current audio formats.

Another small but nice feature would be to add more characters that can be used to label video and audio inputs.

Here is something else to consider. Not all HD DVD and Blu-ray movies have those high definition audio formats. In fact, recently I looked at a few in Best Buy and none that I looked at had DTS-HD or TrueHD. They only had Dolby Digital Plus. So investing in the equipment to take advantage of those new audio formats may be somewhat of a waste of money.

What about waiting for a Blu-ray or HD DVD player that decodes all of the new formats, and then hooking it up to the 990/970 or other preamp/processor via the 5.1 or 7.1 multichannel analog inputs?...That is what I plan on doing...if I understand correctly, lossless audio decoded in the player should sound no different then if it were decoded in the processor or receiver...I understand that I would need a separate cable from my player to my display, but this is not a big deal to me...Also, the newer players that will decode all of these formats will have some form of bass management(although not as advanced as the 990 or 970).

I have thought about that, matty. Currently have the Toshiba HD-A2, so no analog outs for HD-DVD. Do have the Sony BDP-S1 for Blu-ray. Am waiting for the Samsung combo player to come to fruition (supposedly available in December) to examine that as a possibility. Have heard some negatives about the new LG-200 and decided to wait for the Sammy.

Well, I never believe in coincidences, and when events occur that coincide with particular happenings in my life to a degree that I cannot ignore the synergy, I act ... even if out of nothing more than sheer curiosity. While perusing the internet this morning, I came across an ad that was advertising the Onkyo TX-SR805 AVR at a price of $629.00. They also had the new Sony BDP-S500 Blu-ray player for $629.00. Karma? Kismet? Curiosity (as noted in my initial post)? Whatever the explanation (or some may say "excuse") I went out today and purchased both for a test-drive. Will receive some 1.3a certified HDMI cables later this week and will try and find time to set the thing up next weekend by bypassing my 990 and using the Onkyo as a pre-pro through the pre-outs on the unit to the inputs of the 770. Would try it sooner but that darn "work" thing keeps getting in the way of the important things in my life! If anyone is interested I will try and get back here to post what will be my admittedly subjective impressions of the experiment once I have had a sufficient chance to evaluate them. I figure that even if I am not impressed with the Onkyo when compared to the 990 in my main set-up, I can either return the Onkyo (will probably keep the Sony - I have run that through the 990 and it is an impressive unit) or relegate the Onkyo to bedroom duty with my mini-HT system I have in there.

Later!

Mike

I would be interested in your review of the TX-SR805. I just got the Toshiba HD-A2 and now have an "excuse" to get a new piece of equipment. Was looking at the Onkyo to use as a pre-pro with my Outlaw amp.

Matty1137, I'd take your approach a step further: any new digital-disc player I'd be interested in must play EVERYTHING - CDs, DVDs, multichannel SACDs, DVDs of all types including DVD-A, and all the new HD formats now available (I'm tempted to add "or envisioned"). Plus homebrewed CDs of all types, including photos of course. And for $500, tops. I doubt if I am alone in this view.