Well, from Ben's description, the 976 looks to be another tremendous value product for Outlaw. I really doubt that I'll do overhead speakers, so probably won't need Dolby Atmos, so the 976 just might be my next pre/pro. Though, I am curious about what additional features the next pre/pro will have beyond Atmos.

Ben wrote:
Ben: what were those two products?

They've already made their customers wait a few years, so I'm not sure why this was released prior to having a usable room correction system in place. Who buys a home theater processor without room correction these days? They get points for the balanced inputs at a relatively low price point, but otherwise....meh.

This product makes no sense to me at all.

I must admit I'm intrigued with the PEQ. I like good sound, and Outlaw is usually all about the SQ. I've never used any type of room correction algorithm. So you could probably say I don't know what I'm missing. Anyway, I've heard mixed reviews on them.
This prepro is going to convince me to finally upgrade from my plasma to a 4k TV and 4k blu-ray.

I was pleasantly surprised at the 976 announcement and I look forward to learning more in the near future about this new pre/pro.

It seems to me the 976 is like a less cluttered 990 brought up to date with better DACs, HDMI that works with the latest video, latest audio codecs, etc in that it is still largely a "manual" pre/pro. Video processing is now probably best applied in the display versus the pre/pro so the 976 video is a pass through. We don't have a manual for the 976 yet but audio setup is probably with a mic and test tones that can be adjusted with further equalization. That could be helpful but I'm not sure what tools Outlaw recommends to identify where and how further EQ would be used. Is Room EQ Wizard a solution? Of course all the manual fine tuning could be avoided with room correction software that should be part of their next pre/pro. But if I still have to tweak the settings following room correction I'd rather have the 976 if Outlaw provides detailed instructions on how to set PEQ including what tools to use.

I think I will wait a bit longer to see what features are included in the next Outlaw pre/pro. I don't have any way to incorporate all the speakers needed for Atmos etc so presently that feature isn't important to me but it should have room correction and other goodies that may be worth the $1500 estimated price and the additional $600 to $700 above the price of the 976.

Sadly, I have been waiting for something from Outlaw for going on 8 years. Now I am even worse off because Outlaw doesn't give it European voltage capability...

I wasn't aware that Nebraska moved away from the American standard of 120v AC and 60Hz.

At one time Outlaw made a few of the RR-2150s as Euro friendly 230V and 50hz but not very many because demand wasn't enough. I am not sure there are a lot of manufacturers selling processors in the US that also make them Euro friendly. Best bet is to purchase a converter box that you can use when in Europe.

Ha, yeah, I guess I need to update that. I am in California now, and move to France in 3 months...

As far as the converter, it is not that simple. The frequency change is not ideal for DACs and anything that need timing, and the transformers use a LOT of power. Whatever they are rated for, they use 100% of the time. It is recommended to buy one that is rated for two times max draw...

Sadly, this pushes me towards an Emotiva pre-pro which is one of the only companies doing automatic switching. I will end up selling my LFM-1EX, my 7700, my Ultra X-12, and my Outlaw 975 just because none of them will work over there and I have no place to put them...

Interesting choice they made. It is not only possible, but it isn't even terribly expensive to make a high quality and quiet switching power supply. I suspect this has more to do with them doing an analysis of their market and just not seeing much traction outside of the US. Their power supply looks pretty beefy so perhaps they thought they'd get more mileage out of the audiophile heft test than any potential gain from a more flexible power supply for foreign markets.

I'll be interested in seeing what the more feature full version looks like when it comes out. Except for the lack of room correction (100% deal breaker), the 976 hit most of the must haves that I would have.

Best,

Though not automated the 976 does seem to offer some room correction.

We do not know much at this point but the 10 band PEQ is something I find interesting.