If you are not interested in Trinnov how about processing the new audio formats in the BluRay player versus the pre/pro? If that works for you then the Oppo BDP-83 or its upgraded version feeding your 990 will meet your requirements. The Oppo has video processing on board that dramatically improves DVDs too. Now you won't have video processing on other inputs (e.g. TV, game consoles) or the convenience of single HDMI cables you'd get with the 997 but those things may or may not be a big deal for you.