I think this decision is 100% based on how you currently use your 990 and plan to in the future. My 990 provides features that I'm very happy with and some that the 975 doesn't offer. I use two sources for video. One is Bluray the other is HDcable. I currently have high end component video cables running 50ft from the source to my plasma. Meaning I have no need for HDMI cables. Audio is fed by 7.1 out of my Bluray player, and the coax digital audio cable for my HD cable box. The zone 2 features of the 990 serve my home perfectly as I have this output feeding a four channel amp for ceiling speakers in my kitchen and dinning room. The USB input on the 990 is perfect for running a USB from my laptop for iTunes, Pandora, or whatever other digital audio I want to feed it. Playing lossless audio files into the USB input sounds near perfect in my mind. Unless my 990 dies I have no plans to eliminate it as the center piece of my system. Its way too good in too many ways.