Well... Some of this is "semantics" because pretty much all DACs now include built-in DSPs functions that can be used to modify the signal in a way that is essentially "correcting" the sound. Whether the "interface" is a "wizard" or something more amenable to showing interested consumers what has been "changed" is probably a huge issue for firms without the sorts of experience crafting fancy UI front ends...

The degree to which any "auto-setup" will be setup to "merely" adjust "levels" to account for "apparent distance from listener" is probably the sticking point -- firms that are more involved in licensing their techniques of calculating the inevitable interplay of the various adjustments will often go to great lengths to come thisclose to giving away their own secrets --

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5..._correction.pdf

http://www.audioholics.com/room-acoustics/audyssey-room-eq-interview

http://www.acousticsciences.com/media/articles/room-acoustics-audios-final-frontier

The fact is even lots of people that have spent time working in audio mixing for live or recorded music really do not understand the fundamentals that govern what can be achieved --
http://www.rane.com/note115.html

Maybe it is smarter for the Outlaws to try to supply smart consumers with something that sidesteps any debate...

High quality parts, 10 band PEQ ... this is a great hybrid of a two channel preamp and a home theater processor.

I already own a 975 and two Marantz 7008 receivers with Audyssey XT-32.

The idea of being able to manually set the curves using the Omni Mic II with the latest software upgrades is making the decision of which processor to get an easy one.

I am definitely interested. The 976 seems to be the perfect fit for my needs. The 7.1 inputs are great for those who want to use the reference dacs of an Oppo 105 like I have. I know I would be missing Audyssey XT which I like, but maybe I could get similar results with running REW and then adjusting the 976 using the 10 band peq. I have never used REW but I could get a UMIK-1 and see what is going on in my system.

I had the Outlaw 950 when it first came out and it was a very good prepro for me. One thing that I wish the 976 remote had is on the fly level trims but everything else looks really nice from the pictures.

Suggestion: A thread teaching the use of the UMIK-1 mic and REW to do manual room correction. If there is a Subject Matter Expert here, would you please start a thread?

Outlaw Ben: Where should the thread be located? Title? - maybe "Model 976 Surround Processor & Manual Room Correction"? Maybe under an overall 976 topic?

Good suggestion. I know home theater shack has good tutorials for rew.

I cast a second vote for an eq thread.

I kind of started one last night by asking questions here in the Tips and Tweaks forum. I didn't see where else to put it. There've been a few replies and links I saw but I haven't had time to read them yet. I'm just taking a quick glance at the forums right now to see what's happening while I'm at work.

I'm not an expert but I know people who are...

(I have friends that do live sound for things like churches and business meetings, they've taught me enough to know when I should ask more questions...)

Okay guys, I asked Ben for his suggestion on where to start a 976 room EQ thread and he suggested Tips and Tweaks, so Owl's_Warder, you're spot on.
ronov8r: can you talk one of your friends into coming aboard for a while and educate us? It might not take more than a few posts - or you could pick their brains and share the info with us.

Can someone explain to me the benefit of having 7.1ch inputs? Even on an Oppo with 7.1 outputs, you would probably just use an hdmi cable for the 976 inputs from the player. With devices such that minidsp makes, you will probably have the minidsp AFTER the audio has been decoded... (am I wrong?)