Will I be able to update the model 976 firmware myself if new firmware becomes available, or will the unit need to be shipped back to outlaw? If I can do it from, will I just need a USB to serial adapter?

Good question being there is no USB port.
That eliminates using a thumb drive like on the Oppo Blu-ray players and there is no mention in the owners manual about wireless connectivity so that is not an option either.

The 975 updates can be applied at home via USB to Serial adapter connected to the 9-pin input on the 975. I can't imagine Outlaw going backwards from that implementation on the 976.


We've got the following devices connected:

Roku
PS3
PS4
Switch
Wii
CD Player

The Wii doesn't see a lot of use these days but it does get used from time to time. The Roku is used heavily and the PS3 is our blu-ray player so it sees a lot of action, too. Most of our current games are PS4 and the Switch so between the two teenagers and myself, they see their fair share of action, too. The CD player doesn't get as much use as I would like but it's still used, if not frequently, then fairly often.

For those keeping score at home, yes, that is six inputs on a five input pre/pro. Since the CD player is using an optical input and the Wii is using an analog input, that means I have to run a pair of HDMI inputs through an external switch. I chose the PS4 and the Nintendo Switch for this duty because the Roku and the PS3 are our primary content providers. Found a decent switch on Amazon that works pretty well. It's got an auto sense to swap to the most recently active input and also a remote that can be used to force it so a specific input should it be needed. I have to admit that those additional inputs on the 976 are pretty attractive.

Like I said, it should take a few seconds to copy each of the recommended parameters to the 976. Since the 976 is supported by REW, the filter recommendations will be based on the specific parameters (centre frequency resolution, amount of boost/cut, filter width numbers) of the 976's EQ system. Pretty awesome that Outlaw had REW support ready even before the 976 shipped.

I've been out of town since Thanksgiving and just noticed there's a pre-order page, so:
I PRE-ORDERED! ;-)

I completely agree. This is a beloved feature of my 990 and I'm sorry to see that it doesn't carry over here.

Is this still true? I haven't seen anything since January 2017 about the flagship Atmos processor, despite asking several times.

No 2nd zone... bummer

I'm guessing maybe this is a feature they'll put into the flagship processor as another means of differentiation.

It should be. We haven't heard otherwise. I'm sure they've been more focused on getting the 976 finished up and out the door. Since it looks to begin shipping soon, I'd expect to have news on the flagship model before too long. Maybe they'll give us an update in January. That seems to have become Outlaw's news delivery window in recent years.