Does Onkyo usually launch these products in EU ahead of US? It seems odd that this product - which is sold in EU sans rack ears and seemingly mainstreamed - is a niche item on this side of the Atlantic. Integra's available in EU, right?

I don't really know. Integra and Onkyo Pro focus on different markets - Integra is the upscale consumer line, while Onkyo Pro is meant for the commercial market. Neither EU nor US are Onkyo's home market, of course. Is there something similar to the 5507 available in Japan?

Integra's 9.9 is the closest, doesn't look like they have the Onkyo pro line. Oddly enough, the concept that never took off for Integra here is apparently a big deal over there - a lot of their products are based on the configurable pick-and-choose PCI card platform. I really loved that idea, but the up front cost was prohibitive (or at least appeared to be).

Card-based platforms never seem to get the long-term support they need to really be beneficial to the consumer. You end up with lots of choices among cards for that first generation, but then when technology starts changing you end up missing out because the R&D to support that technology gets put into the traditional receivers instead (likely because of cost).

Very true. If the tech had been embraced (as it apparently was in Japan), there would be a cost justification for developing cards that are compatible across a range of models instead of just one. Presumably you're looking at a steeper learning curve for owners, which runs counter to the idea of how an A/V component should work. Speaks to the culture of the Japanese that the line succeeds there.

Although I have not been waiting for the 997 as long as most of you, I have been watching the 'projected' release closely for the last 3 months. I was trying to decide between the Emo UMC-1 and the 997. Since neither was available, the first one to market was going to win.

I finally decided to the wait could be interminable for both units and ordered the 886 last Friday from A4L. It was delivered today.

I had to laugh last night when I received the email from Outlaw on the 886. I still think the 997 and the UMC-1 will be worth looking at but in the meantime I will have a really good pre/pro in my system. I will also have the benefit of the Outlaw documentation on the 886.

Nick

I have had no issues with HDMI connections with the 886. There is a very slight delay when switching between any two sources (for example when I switch between my HDMI-connected Scientific Atlanta 8300 HD PVR and my analogue-connected Sony RDR-HX900 DVD Recorder) but not to the point where it is an issue. My HDMI-connected Panasonic DMP-BD60 Blu-ray player gets picked up fast. My Optoma H78-DC3 HD projector locks on to incoming signals from the 886 no slower or faster that in does when they come in direct from the source.

And I should have mentionned that the Optoma projector has a DVI, not HDMI, input - and that I use both that connection and component video - again without issue.

I am completely disappointed. I have waited for almost a year (haven’t made a single post) for the 997 and have justified to myself time and time again why I shouldn't just ship. Even as I watched all the others jump, I stayed. I have to admit, I still want to continue waiting but Outlaw has to give us more than the vague e-mail they sent out. Send us a picture of what we are waiting for. I don’t want an Onkyo, if I did I would have bought it six months ago when I sold my 990. Outlaw, give me one reason (a glimpse of the processor) to continue waiting.

I with you on that. I would like one but not at that price.