And that's a good point Gonk: not every room / speaker system will need a huge "improvement."

Remember I'm the guy who thought his SMS-1 was broken - until he figured out it wasn't doing anything because his in-room response was already perfect without it!

My move to a next-gen pre/pro is about getting an up-to-date feature set - in many ways. Audyssey will be nice to try out, and I suspect it will invoke only subtle changes, but the 886 has lots more to like about it.

And the Model 950 that it will replace? Turns out I've got enough spare amps and speakers (and an LCD flat panel) kicking around to assemble a fairly decent 5.1 system. Just might convert an upstairs room into a third HT!

And had the 997 not been made in China...