The balanced connections are mostly for noise rejection from external interference. I run the balanced connections to my 7500 but only because the cables were free and I didn't want to spent $$$ on interconnects which I think are usually more expensive than they are touted. I have both the 7125 and a 7500 and neither has an issue with interference. Good quality cable from BlueJeans cable will serve for either connection without killing your budget.

Just thought I'd mention that I did read Floyd Toole's paper a few days ago and while much of it was not news to me, it certainly is an excellent "back to basics" summary which, among other things, clearly makes the point (regarding the interrelationship of amplitude and time domain correction) to which Sanjay refers.

And thanks, Sanjay.

If, like me, one is planning to use Blue Jeans Cable interconnects, their balanced cable is actually just under 50% more than their high quality unbalanced cable ($71.50 vs. $48.50 for a 10 foot stereo pair). So in the overall context of an entire surround sound system, the extra outlay for selected runs of balanced cable shouldn't be too prohibitive.

One feature I sure hope the 978 will have - the ability to just do a simple pass through of video with no processing at all, especially on the HDMI inputs.

Can anyone tell me if the 978 will have HDMI pass-through when the unit is in "standby" mode (or off)? I am hoping that it will support using my TV (which would be connected via HDMI to the cable box THROUGH the 978) for both audio and video such that the kids/wife don't need to engage the full 7.1 system just to watch (and hear!) the news.

Hello

First post here, I have been reading and waiting for several months now on the 978 "I know its a short time compared to allot of you"

but anyway somehow I had missed the fact that the 978 will not have network capabilities. Is this the general consensus was there some kind of announcement stating this? And then the pictures backed that statement up?

I feel like an idiot, I talked my Nephew into waiting for this processor and we both improved our home networks with NAS and Gigabit adaptors. lol

We were planning to upgrade our networks anyway so we could stream music and video but I guess not with the 978.

Maybe I will just tell him the 978 has been released and it didn't show very well..Ha Ha

I don't really trust the new Emotiva pre/pro coming out so maybe the Marantz.

Tracy

Personally I don't feel a network streaming device is a "good fit" to be incorporated into any pre-pro. The shifting sands of technology in that area mean you can get devices for well under $99 that may or may not be obsolete in a VERY short time. A quality pre-pro ought to last nearly forever...

I agree with Renov8r!! Processors should attempt to become universal connections for support devices such as streaming. The ability of large companies to provide whole lines of devices with varied capabilities means that in 6 months or so those devices are eclipsed by some newer model with a new version of some support device. In order to maintain those processors in the price point the designers make the primary mission of the processor weaker in performance. An all in one HTIB unit can be had which will stream and connect to your iPod and HTPC and play CD/DVD/Blurays all at the expense of quality audio and video.. In 6 months or so it will also e obsolete. I think HDMI is a creation of those people who are willing to upgrade.

While having a network connection on the pre-pro isn't mandatory, you've got to admit that it has become de rigeur for mid-tier and higher end consumer gear. Would I use it? Probably not. However, it does open up some opportunities:

1. painless network firmware upgrades
2. streaming media from local devices over the network (pads/phones/NAS/etc)
3. alternate control method for the unit (there's nifty android and Iphone/Ipad remote control software out there for a wide variety of receivers)

One of the disadvantages of being this late to the party is that you might miss out on some of the more "cutting edge" convenience features like network connectivity in an effort to speed things along. Not a particularly important feature for me, but that's the way the consumer market seems to be heading.

Like the 990? Time marches on.