So, my 990 died. (well, partly died) and I couldn't wait

I tried to sign up for beta. I tried to buy a 997, pre-order it, but nope. My 990 lost the back channels. I have 7 Mackie HR824Mk2's and I can't live without a back channel. I just bought a JVC RS-2 projector, Mac Mini for home theater control at 1080p, etc. When the 990 went night night on me, I had to get a new processor that could switch HDMI and deal with 1080p capabilities.

Since Outlaw wouldn't humor me and keep me as a customer, I bought the PR-SC886P from the other "O" company out there.

Sorry you lost me as a customer guys.

The 886 should take good care of you. However, I'm not sure why you are suggesting that Outlaw hasn't "humored" you by either bringing you into beta testing (a process that we don't even know is under way at this point) or letting you pre-order a product without a firm delivery date (ask AV123 how well that works out).

I feel better about going back channel Gonk.

I was not aware that any manufacturer would allow you to actually obtain one of their products before it was released. I am not sure how Outlaw could have kept you as a customer but I am sure they can fix your 990 which could still be under warranty. The 886 looks like a fabulous piece of gear and if I could get it for what the 997 will be sold for I just might. I am in no hurry right now but the 997 better be out by Thanksgiving or I will have to go elsewhere.

Well, I figured it was worth a try to see if I could get on the beta of the 997. From what the rumor mill had going around, they may have been in beta, as I thought it was supposed to release this summer. As for fixing the 990, I can't get it fixed, as it's part of an insurance claim from water damage in my house, and I have to replace it, that's what the insurance is paying for. Anyway, I'm sure the Onkyo should be a good replacement. I'm looking forward to putting it into the rest of the automation, hopefully it'll be fully controlled via ethernet and I won't have to control it via serial cable..

Dave

In reading your original post I assumed the 990 just failed and you could get it fixed. Is the insurance company going to take it away once you replace it? If not, why not have it fixed after the dust settles from the 886? Send it to me and I will have it fixed. If the insurance company will pay the big $$$ for the 886 why would they not make you get another 990 and save themselves the difference.

I certainly can't fault you for trying to get into the beta (can't hurt to ask, after all), but the tone of your post suggested that you were upset that they hadn't let you in. Running a beta test is not a clear-cut process. Let's assume they are running one with 997 hardware (rather than participating in some peripheral role in a beta test run by Sherwood). Let's also assume that this test is in progress right now so you could replace your 990. That's two assumptions that must both be correct, at which point we face a few more questions. Do they have available hardware to add a beta tester? How many other existing customers are already on a list in front of you to provide beta test services? Frankly, the odds of someone contacting Outlaw now, asking to take part in beta testing, and actually getting in on a beta test for the 997 would seem very poor.
Water damage - that can't be a good thing. I hope you get things put back together quickly.
My wife is not a fan of the 885 (slow signal acquisition time on both audio and video), but sonically it has been very comparable to the 990. You should have good results with the 886. I haven't messed much with my 885's network capabilities, but I think it may be possible to control it via the network. I don't know how well it integrates with a home automation system that way, but it should at least be possible...