I purchased a 990 and the 7700 about 4 years ago

I've waited for about 2 years for the upgrade to the 997

The 990 broke down last year and I had to literally throw it in the garbage and revert to my old Sony ES 9000 pre.

I bought an awesome HDMI switcher (4inputs / 2 outputs) from Monoprice for $67 and it transmits perfect 1080p from blu ray, DVR, PS3 and my Mac Pro to my Sony Pearl projector and onto a 120" screen. But it's a pain with audio and video on different boxes. My girlfriend hates this set up.

I had hoped for a 997 but the reality is that in the world of Consumer electronics delays like this are fatal. I wanted Dolby and DTS MA and HDMI switching integrated.

Sad to say that I will buy a Japanese receiver (Denon) and use it as a preamp for DTS MA and HDMI switching. Amplification will remain with 3 Naim 135's monos driving the front and the Outlaw on the back 2 channels.

I write this with 100% sadness and no malice. I was such a fan

Sorry
Rob

Rob,

Just curious, but why the Denon receiver?
You have power amplification, why are you not going to shoot for a preprocessor?

Pete

Hi Pete

Denon is the current fave based purely on the ability to process DTS MA and DD HD combined with HDMI switching. I reckon I can do this for about $999

I won't be using the amplification of the receiver. Prepro's tend to be far more expensive!

I'm totally open to suggestions - so please let me know if you have ideas.

Thanks
Rob

Hi Pete

Can you say more about the Integra 40.1?
Just checked their website and other reviews.... looks interesting

Rob

Robert Holloway- the 990 has a five year warranty. Why did you throw it in the trash? Even if you bought it used- the warranty should have been transferable. I have found the folks at Outlaw Audio to be completely trustworthy with service and warranty. This is hard to buy into!

Just throwing in my two cents here but for the life of me I do not understand why you trashed the 990.
I have the 990/7700 combo and have not had a problem let alone one that would make it a candidate for my local trash pickup.
I purchased my combo back in 2002.
Don't take offense it is your right to do whatever you want but I think you over re-acted...maybe because you wanted to move on with a newer piece of equipment.

I think that you made a rush to judgment concerning the 990.
Sorry for your loss.

Robert,
Most of the newer AVP/AVRs are capable of decoding all of the formats you desire. The downside so far is that there is not a lot of media out there with the newer formats available. I regret your loss of the 990. What happened to it?

I jumped ship to the Onkyo 886 and am very happy with it. Why would you spend big $$$ on an AVR when you already have a great amp. Most of the lower tier AVRs will not allow you to decouple their amps from the pre-amps. I know the higher end Denons have separate pre-outs but it is a waste and is usually used for a second room HT setup. Sounds like I am trying to talk you off the ledge doesn't it?

I am very happy with the Integra, I just sent you a PM with some extra information.

Pete

Hi there,

I phoned Outlaw and was told that my 990 was out of warranty.

The unit had just stopped working. No idea why.

So I was faced with paying to ship the unit from CA to Outlaw and then pay to get the thing repaired. When I considered that it I was going to replace it anyway and non HDMI units are almost worthless at resale I chucked it.

Hard to do, but a good decision.

The Sony sounds great as always. It's a very fine pre amp. the HDMI switcher from Monoprice works like a charm.

Rob

here's what I've discovered

I need/want the DTS MA and DD HD processing along with HDMI switching and video up converting.

If there was a preamp for $1200 I'd buy it. I have 4 Naim 135 mono amps, 3 Audiolab Mono amps and the Outlaw 7 channel 9700. I don't need amplification.

I have no brand affinity to Denon, Onkyo or anyone else

Rob

PS - Talking of ships, it's sad that this forum has become a "We're on the Titanic, where should I go discussion"