I'm sure it'll happen just like they did with the Ultra X-13. Once it's ready to go we're going to get the release statement, the product page will go live, and it'll show up in the shop for purchase. I also think it will likely replace the 975's prominent ad position on the front page of the site. Stop sharpening the pitchforks and put out the torches; there's still a couple of weeks before spring is over!

OK guys I know this is the Outlaw forum, but how would you say the Model 976 and Emotiva MC700 stack up against each other on paper?

Not much paper to base an opinion on for now. If past performance holds true, I suspect the 976 will be a better piece than the MC-700. When the 975 came out I ordered both the 975 and UMC-200 to do an in-home comparison. The 975 had *much* better audio quality than the UMC-200 even after turning off the EQ in the UMC-200. In my experience Outlaw's focus has always been audio quality first.

The MC-700 has a nice feature set for the price, but I am willing to wait for the 976. One feature of the 976 I like is a full set of balanced outputs since my amps have balanced inputs. Just the inside pictures of the two show a markedly different approach. The 976 appears to have much more substantial power supplies than the MC-700 (much like 975 vs. UMC-200). Separating the power supplies for the digital and analog sections usually improves the sound. Also higher end pre/pros generally have more larger power supplies.

Audio quality means a lot to me as as I use my system for both stereo audio and HT.

Just my opinion based on past experience. We shall see when 976 is finally released how it fares.

Owl, trouble is when we base holding off a needed purchase on their planned date. They're well past the average Spring date. If they're still going to make Spring, it would take seconds to tell us that. If they're going to miss it by a few weeks, they should let us know that also so we can go with other plans.

Outlaw will not comment on whether they are going to be late or not. Spring is over in two weeks or so and at that point I suspect that there will be some comments.

That all makes a lot of sense and I actually agree. To my untrained eyes the MC-700 looks very empty inside and the 976 looks filled with all sorts of electronics. Of course there is a 300 dollar difference in price as well. We'll see, I'll wait to see both. Problem is, is this 976 ever going to actually come out?

Ya know what I kinda made up my mind to go with the 976. I'm not buying until November anyway. I'm sure it'll be out by then, professional reviews, and owner reviews out by then too. It really looks like a beast of a preamp/processor based on specs on paper.

Fellow Outlaws:

We know that you are anxious to get your hands on the forthcoming Model 976, and we are just as anxious to get it to you.

That said, given the date, it is obvious that it will ship a bit later than we had hoped. There is a continual battle to find the balance between pre-announcing new products, as we did for the Model 976 versus waiting to announce them until the are ready to ship, as we did with the RR 2160 and Ultra X13. Regardless, whenever we announce a new product it is very important to us that any new product ships only when it is ready, not before. We're not quite at that point yet for the Model 976

It's been said that it's "The first 99% is easy. It's the last 1% that is the hardest." That is a good summary of where we are. We have units under test that are completely functional and which deliver outstanding audio and video performance. We've completed work with Room EQ Wizard that is optimized for the Model 976. We have the parts staged and ready for production start. That's the "99%".

Unfortunately, there is that remaining 1%. There are a few remaining issues that have cropped up that we are simply not comfortable having in a production product. None, by themselves, are fatal. However, collectively they would prevent the Model 976 from meeting our expectations. Yes, it will take until after our goal of "before the end of spring" to work all of this out. Since some of these things are interdependent it is to say how long it will take, but it shouldn't be that long.

Again, thanks for your support, patience and understanding as we work to bring you the product you expect and deserve.

I know that I for one will continue to wait.
I have been tempted many times to throw in the towel and order the Emotiva XMC-1 but I have resisted and will continue to do so.
But if nothing has been released by the end of summer then I will have to move on I guess.

I'm waiting, no problem for me. I'm not buying till late November, its gonna be my Christmas gift. This is the processor I want.