So are we assuming that the 2 channel capabilities of the 997 will be somehow inferior and therefore should need a stereo receiver? Is Outlaw going to downplay the 2 channel capabilities of this rig? I doubt it. I live in a loft, which is essentially one big room, and 2 separate audio systems is simply not possible. I think it's great that people can have two setups, and I would if I could, but in the meanwhile I threw my cassette deck in the trash years ago so I don't need or want those analog input/outputs, and I still maintain that us turntable users (and no, we are not anachronistic old hippies, we just like the way it sounds) could be spared a little spot on the back of this rig for a phono input. Hey, I have no freaking use for the tuner on this thing, but I respect the desires of others to have it. AM Radio band? What does that have to do with home theater?

No, I don't think so, either. However, the number of turntables that you can find in home theater installations is pretty small these days - and those who do have them are more likely to be retaining them for audio quality, not out of simple inertia. As a result, they deserve to be partnered with a good phono pre-amp. Putting such a device into something with as many different requirements already on it is going to start to impact cost for something that most users won't use. Putting a merely functional phono pre in creates an even worse scenario: folks without turntables are still paying for it, and folks with turntables pay for it and then end up wanting to get a separate phono pre to get better performance. It becomes a juggling act / judgment call for the design team, and there is no right answer.

WAAAAAHHHHH!!!! Buy a phono pre amp for crying out loud. If you want that technology because it sounds so much better, then break out the old wallet and go buy the equipment needed to use it. Perhaps we should install quadrophonic inputs for the .0001% of the users who may have ever heard of it.

so much for a discussion of the features and capabilities of the new pre-pro - let's get derisive and dismissive - hope you like the sound of your subwoofer blowing out your windows while you watch your stupid action movies - asshat

Let's keep this civil guys - the truth is that it is basically impossible to satisfy everyone, but that doesn't mean people lose the right to be disappointed when a feature they care about falls off the drawing board - no matter how strong the argument is in favor of the omission.

Will the discount apply to original 950 owners like myself? I am still enjoying my 950 very much.

I'm afraid not, the discount is for owners of Model 990's and Model 970's.

Not that I'm going to ever be a early adopter (aka beta tester) for an Outlaw product again, but is there any reason that us 1070 owners who also have been dealing with the same and maybe even worse bugs than the 970 should be left out of this discount if we want to upgrade to separates?

It can't hurt to ask them...

Thanks gonk.