With the specs that are given for the 997 can anyone give a comparison to the Integra 9.8 or the 9.9.
I demo the 9.8 and liked what I saw and heard but as I said in a previous post I want to remain loyal to Outlaw.
Time is not the question quality and improvement thats' what is important to me.

The ppl at Emotiva said that the UMC-1 could transcode from HDMI to Component outs.

Sherwood once said that the R-872 would as well, but I don't think it ended up being able to. To achieve it, the processor/receiver will have to identify itself via HDCP as an approved display device (which is a bit of a stretch) since there will be no HDCP-equipped display downstream to tell the source that it's OK to send out video. Then it can convert the video to analog (which means including a video DAC, something that most receivers lack) so it can be output via component.

I too would like to chime in, in saying that this is fantastic news. And I for one, can't wait until it is released. I've been a lurker and follower for awhile, as I think Outlaw has a terrific bang for one's buck. And I will be preordering the 997.

Rubbersoul,

I think it's too early to know how they compare.

John

You mean, officially, or in the same sense that I often feel that I'm beta testing for Microsoft? :p

Yeah, a real beta tester (Win 98/98-SE/ME/XP/Vista and service packs).

I've got XP and Vista on my system, but just recently started using Vista now that *most* of the device driver bugs are worked out with Nvidia and Creative Labs.

I just hope that Win-7 RTM isn't a work-in-progress like Vista.

I guess you are right JB.
I just thought that with the speces that are available someone could do some homework other than myself who is not tech savvy.
I am more of a listen to hands on audiophile.
Maybe since it will be a few more months for the arrival of the 997 I will do so investagating.

I wonder if Gonk will do any comparisons?

rubbersoul,

I'm sure Gonk will be one of the first to do a comparison.

Theory and practice are different realms and ultimately, it's best not to guess from specs, alone, but to wait for working samples, before passing any judgement.

Be patient, in a few more months you'll have a better idea about your options (I'd wait).

John

I would bet that the Outlaw will exceed the Integra in analog performance, as that is definitely where I have found mine to be slightly lacking.

I will say the Audyssey processing on the Integra does make a nice improvement on movie audio, and if the Trinnov processing is an improvement on that, you will all be pleased.

Another area the Outlaw could be superior is if the video processing can be tailored on a per-input basis. Does it do that?