If I had my way, I'd forgo trinnov, I'd forgo HDMI completely (unless they got rid of the bullsh*t DRM pretense)
A manufacturer like Outlaw couldn't give away a new pre/pro without at least some sort of room correction and full HDMI capability.
I think you have assumed that both Trinnov and the DRM issues associated with HDMI will cause the 998 to be buggy. I'm counting on the Outlaws to get it right.