Anything new on the 976 since July 5th of the last update?

Nope - I'm guessing a Fall release.

Similar but not the same.
To set the Surrounds to Large, the 975 demands you set the LR to Large - its non-negotiable.

This sounds a bit like the Polk forum's Cable Heads. Even w/REW, no one w/a small-ish* space should expect ROOM f3 much below 30hz. Those LOWer frequencies need "space to play." Also it won't make up for bad acoustics no matter how much they mess w/it.
* 8 X 12

Yikes that is pretty late, but as long as they get it right.

Fall, huh? I'm looking for something with the 990's capabilities - including analog pass-through for at least equal SQ - plus HDMI connections, but no review, no order.

I have a Parasound phono preamp, so no problem there. But get the 976 out of beta, please.

A review from where? It has not been released yet, but I feel like the 976 will equal or exceed the 990 in sound quality and capabilities. Here is the page with info in case you need it.

http://saloon.outlawaudio.com/ubbthreads...an=33#Post96259

I think that is his point, not out yet, no reviews so he won't buy one until there are some reviews.

I'm going to have to give up. They're way past the window with no updates, and I need to pull the trigger on something soon. Wanted it, waited for it, but by end of the week I'm going a different direction.

I would move on at this point. Especially for those who are still waiting for the as yet un-named atmos/dtsx processor. Outlaw said that once the 976 begins production they will refocus their efforts on their flagship processor. With no shipping date for the 976 being available, we can assume the Phoenix processor is also impacted. Also the cost of an Atmos/DTSx processor and the availability on the open market is no longer necessarily a big drawing point for Outlaw. When it was announced it was groundbreaking but at this point it is the norm.