Looking at the pictures, the boards were made on 10/10/2106. Given the time to stuff the boards, slap them all in a chassis, photo it and get it out in a post says we're looking at some pretty hot-off-the-presses pictures (given holidays, CES, etc.). Of course I'm sure there were other prototypes before this particular one but still...

BTW, look at all the MELFs on the main board. I don't remember seeing MELFs used on previous Outlaw products.

They used some in the 975. A lot of coupling/decoupling for the stages, here.

I always thought they were using technology from the future, but now there's proof.

Doh. Why doesn't spell check catch that?

Before anybody goes blue -- http://www.mouser.com/blog/reating-a-sound-people-cant-resist-melf-resistors

Hey at least the new remote has a freakin ON button.

I must have missed a link. Where did you see the photos? Thanks

Edit. I found them in the announcements section. My brain damage must be kicking in. :-)

YES!! Thank you Outlaws. The 976 should do fine. Sounds like you had planned on my suggestion all along with the 976 first and then the big caddy with all the bells and whistles several months later. It looks like the 976 is just what I need since ceiling speakers or top-of-surrounds is just about impossible in my layout. A solid 7.2 with my 4K Sony projection is more than adequate.
Looking forward to the detail 976 specs and the order page, but until then how about a couple quick questions: (1) Are both HDMI outputs simultaneous and compatible with v1.4 at least - with v2.0a on #1? (2)Will HDMI out #1 be upgradable (e.g., firmware)? (3) XLR audio outs are from balanced op-amps/driver and not transformers? (4)Will 976 fold Dolby Atmos UHD Blu-Ray audio to 7.1 (7.2) correctly? (It seems to always go to 5.1 on the 975. Is this correct? Depends on the disc directives? I missed the memo with the answers?)(5) Tested with any 4K capable Blu-Ray players yet?
Thanks again Outlaws - Great job

Well, the 976 certainly sounds interesting, but what I'm really interested in is how does it sound! Not a whole lot of details about the the DACs being used. My main concern with a pro like this is going to be its audio performance. The whole premise (IMO) of the Outlaw business model is low frills, high quality at a great price. It appears to have all the requisite features (those that'll be used by the vast majority) of a modern pro. So for me, it really comes down to the audio.

I have not heard a 975 so I have no reference on how the surrounds will sound on the 976, since they are stating they share the same design and DACs. But they only make a vague reference to the LCR channels will have upgraded "...high-end TI/Burr-Brown DACs...". Well, the term "high-end" means a lot of different things to different people. Me personally, when I hear that term used it always makes me nervous, but that could just be my total distrust of the marketing weenies of the world.

But, I am happy that Outlaw has a new pro coming and a big brother to follow. I'm looking forward to seeing the actual specs on this pro and ultimately doing a test drive.

Thank You Outlaw!

JHBD001,

Thanks for your comments and questions. Here are the answers:
(1) Are both HDMI outputs simultaneous and compatible with v1.4 at least - with v2.0a on #1?

Yes. Both outputs, available simultaneously on the 976, are compatible with v1.4, for the output #2, and v2.0a for the output #1, which is backwards compatible with v1.4.

(2)Will HDMI out #1 be upgradable (e.g., firmware)?

No. Output #2 will not be upgradable; it will remain available for any v1.4 use.

(3) XLR audio outs are from balanced op-amps/driver and not transformers?

Yes. The XLR outputs are balanced outputs from low noise op-amps with a common mode rejection ratio of 100dB, typical.

(4)Will 976 fold Dolby Atmos UHD Blu-Ray audio to 7.1 (7.2) correctly? (It seems to always go to 5.1 on the 975. Is this correct? Depends on the disc directives? I missed the memo with the answers?)

Yes. The 976 will properly decode the core 7.1 channels of the Dolby Atmos tracks as Dolby Digital True HD.
The 975 is also capable of decoding the core 7.1 channels of Dolby Atmos tracks.
Ensure that your 975 is set for a 7.1 system in the speaker configuration menu.

(5) Tested with any 4K capable Blu-Ray players yet?

Yes. The 976 has been tested with both, the Samsung UBD-K8500, and the OPPO UDP-203
As you may be aware, both players incorporate two HDMI outs, and if you are presently a 975 owner, one output goes to the 4K display and the other output sends audio only (with a blank picture) to a non-4K processor or receiver.

However, the OPPO UDP-203 offers a tempting and clever “extra”. It ALSO has an HDMI input. This means that besides playing any type of Blu-Ray( both regular and 4K), you can hook up another 4K source, (such as the latest Roku), and run the audio to our 975 and the 4K picture to the display!

Peter