SN sales director in the basement with the crack pipe.

Hopefully, Outlaw will learn something from this experience and either keep their development pipeline closer to the vest until much closer to actual delivery next time 'round or do a much better job of managing expectations of their customers. Outlaw is in a pretty bad situation here since they probably had no influence at all over the 972's release schedule and had to watch helplessly (like the rest of us) as SN tried to deal with their production issues.

On the bright side, at least they've realized that it's better to have something feature-competitive on the shelves and have offered the Onkyo as a stopgap. The alternative is a steady outflow of customers as competing products (both in terms of price and features...'cept for Trinnov) are available all over the marketplace now.

Who knows...it may turn out to be too expensive for a niche player to stay in the affordable processor business.

It has unfortunately been made public that I have replaced my 990 temporarily and established a relationship with an Onkyo 805 being used as a pre-pro only while I await the release of the 997. In view of this revelation, I have decided to release the following statement.

Over the past six years, two years as a 950 owner and four as a 990 owner, I’ve tried to participate in a vision of progressive audio that would rebuild the high end and create opportunity for all. Outlaw sought to bring real change to audiophiles and that will continue. Today, I want to briefly address this private matter. I have acted in a way that violates my obligations to my Home Theater system and that violates my — or any — sense of right and wrong. I apologize first, and most importantly, to my current pre-pro. I apologize to the entire system, whom I promised better. I do not believe that audio in the long run is about individual components. It is about ideas, the public good and doing what is best for the entire HT system. But I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself.

I will be establishing a relationship with a new 997 upon its release. In the interim, I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my system. I will not be taking questions. Thank you very much. I will report back to you in short order. Thank you very much.

It's OK, mgdurand. Your system will forgive you - just offer it some good tunes or a couple movies.

mg,

I applaud your confessional honesty, even though I'm sure your Outlaw pre/pros think you're promiscuously putting the 'ho' in home theater.

OK, if the Sherwood 972 is shipping, where do you buy one? My Outlaw 1070 recently died and so I need a replacement and a good receiver is really all I need.

You could contact Sherwood or Axiom if you can't find a local dealer.

I have been watching the web for any news of the 972's releases and have pretty much come up empty. I did see a post somewhere that a large shipment of the 972s had shown up in LA, but that is pretty unconfirmed. I am not pushing for Outlaw to hurry up and release the 997, as I know that they will release it just as soon it is ready. They are certainly as or more motivated than consumers to get their product on the market. I will wait and get one when it is released. However, any thoughts from anyone if they think it will be ready before Christmas? I am beginning to have my doubts about that. I had cajoled my wife to give me one last Christmas, and am looking to allow her the great pleasure of making that offer again! However, doubts are creeping in as to the timing. Thanks!

As I understand it, the R-972 has technically launched, although online dealers are scarce so it's hard to track them down unless you have a local dealer you can talk to. Thus the 997 could be here as soon as mid-November, but it all depends on when Outlaw feels comfortable with the product. Based on the latest message from Outlaw, that may not be right at the 60-day mark.

Hi, Gonk. I saw the "might not be exactly 60 days" post and that was what motivated my comment. Am keeping my eyes peeled. Would really love to try out the new 997 for Christmas! Outlaws, we're all rooting for you!

"might not be exactly 60 days"

This gave me the feeling that Outlaw is having similar problems as Sherwood and was maneuvering for wiggle room.

I believe it was this forum where someone said that Macintosh said it would take them *3 yr* to integrate Trinnov.