This is a very true statement. I think it's very telling that both Lexicon and Anthem have elected to basically refine, rehash, and revise a single platform in an effort to stay current with the changes. It's also telling that both companies have raised the price of their processors by 50% to 100% along the way.
I've been thinking about this lately, too. We've reached a point where the level of complexity (both setup and even just reading the feature list) is almost a limiting factor for the average consumer. The industry needs to pause and evaluate where it is. I don't have much faith that it actually will (the push for 3D certainly shows no signs of that), but I think both manufacturers and consumers could benefit from a little thoughtful assessment of the situation...

I am in no hurry either and will wait patiently

The one thing I think would be cool since it is so close is a picture of the unit.

Nothing like getting over run by the wheels of technology! I agree that the industry needs to stop and re-evaluate. The frequency that the technology changes occur needs to slow their frantic race to market speed.

Emotiva is saying they just gave the green light for production of the UMC-1 with the first units hitting the States by mid-November ... hopefully the 997 isn't far behind ... the two should provide a healthy dose of competition for one another.

Given the large difference in price points I don't really consider them direct competitors.

Well, I am pretty sure Outlaw does. The UMC-1 is cheaper for a reason.

Really...?
Please tell me why...!

Well,
both companies deal only over the internet, both have very good reputations, both offer big bang for the buck in both amps, AVR and pre/pros. Both are currently getting ready to introduce new flagship components geared towards beating the big names like Onkyo, Yamaha, Sony and others. Both have great followings on the net and are frequently compared to one another by people getting ready to buy or upgrade. They are like the Cleveland Browns and the Pittsburgh Steelers, in the same neighborhood and naturally rivals.

Both will have their "flagship" pre/processors produced under contract in China. No thanks.

Both companies are internet-direct, certainly, but that doesn't make these two specific products direct competitors. The UMC-1 is not Emotiva's flagship product - that will be the XMC-1, due at some point in the future.