I don't think the Model 997 was ever around $1000.

Just for comparison... The Marantz AV7005 sells for $1600 and weighs 10.1 kg. If the 978 weighs same as 990 (12.7 kg) then the price for the 978 should come in about $2016. Trust me, the extra weight isn't lead feet, it's build quality.

I think there are a number of factors that make the weight comparison somewhat dubious. The transformer setup in the 978 will be a switch-mode transformer as opposed to the larger torroid transformers found in the 990. At the same time, weight differences will not show up in better DACs and video processing chips that are some of the main selling points of the 978. So you could have better build quality and better sound from a lighter unit.

If I buy 15 kg of bird seed, it should cost almost $2400?



Weight is a very small measure of what a component should cost IMO.

Think of early CD/DVD/BD players that weighed a ton and were easily surpassed in performance by later, and much lighter, models.

A certain amount of "heft" is needed to assure suitable support for the various inputs / outputs on the back panel. Similarly the front panel, though not as frequently fiddled with in this era of remote controls, will have to provide the proper feel of quality (and calls to mind the not too distant memory of certain high end marketer literally bonding an extra thick front plate to an well know high value player...).

I'm just hoping that with CES right around the corner the news of "when" gets updated for this long awaited product.

Are we buying steaks or electronics? There isnt a good relationship between mass and Sound Quality. If so then I have a Yamaha integrated amp that I should be able trade for 2 978s and another 7500.

I agree with XenonMan, we are here to buy electronics. The reason we're here (IMHO) is that we enjoy having really good electronics at a price point not available with another brand... Outlaws' support has always been outstanding. The quality of their products has been outstanding! I'm ready to have the 978, but also respect the 'not releasing it till it's ready' mentality. Another reason we're here in my opinion. The price to my recollection has been around 1500. I had/have a 950, so $100 less for the family discount. If it's a few hundred either way, I'm cool with it. Outlaw is a brand that I've come to trust. I'm loving the 7900! P.S. XenonMan, I'm liking my Harmony One sir... My guess is Gonk is beta-testing. Very much looking forward to reading his review if that IS the case...

This may be a little off topic, but I am curious about the Yamaha integrated amp that XenonMan has. I find some of these old school products fascinating. What is this thing that weighs so much?

Weight as an indicator of quality is a dangerous proposition, doubly so in a surround processor that doesn't have internal amps (or the associated high-current demands that lead to big power supplies and big heat sinks). What does a printed circuit board with DSP chip weigh? What does an HDMI board or video processor board weigh? What does an analog audio board weigh? None of these weigh much, and their power demands are really rather modest. In theory, a good surround processor could actually be pretty lightweight.

My old Yamaha CA-800 weighs about 45 pounds with a rated output of 45 watts. It is still chugging along just fine .