Would you buy 976 today?

I need to buy a new preamp/amp or av receiver for my media room. I'm tempted to buy the 976 with 7000x amp but hesitate due to the age of the tech used in the processor. Should I just buy a current gen Denon or similar AV receiver or invest in the 976 and hope I have an upgrade path in the future with the new gen 97x with atmos and more?

I think the question is are you considering having an Atmos system in the near future?
If you are then the 976 isn't for you.
I would look at the Marantz AV7706 for now.
Who knows when, if ever, Outlaw will have an Atmos processor.

MikeM:

I went through a similar analysis when my 975 gave up the ghost early last year when Outlaw sold the Marantz AV7705. IMO, the Marantz processor line is totally superior to Outlaw's when it comes to features if not functionality (e.g. Atmos, HEOS, Audyssey, MM Phono Input etc). The 976's is reportedly quieter but I have 69 year old ears. I ended up purchasing the 976 as it was the most cost effective solution to my immediate needs.

Regarding waiting for a new ProPro from Outlaw, you might wait far longer than the decade it took Odysseus to return from Troy. Whether is fair or not, its been over a decade since Outlaw canceled its 997 replacement for the 990.

Like it was said, Atmos support is the determining factor. Soundwise, it's perfectly fine, it's not like there are breakthrough advances in audio quality regularly anyway. The hardware is solid. Software however is frozen at the same state it was when the model was introduced, with a few users suggestions and bugs reports left lingering.

Yes I would.

The 976 sounds better than the 975. The 975 was much better than the Rotel RSP-1068 it replaced. When I got fed up being behind the times*, the 1068 was slowly dying one channel at a time though, to be fair, even WITH all channels working I still prefer either Outlaw.
*HDMI friendly

I like the feel of the 976 remote in my hand and use it to tweak but I rely upon a Harmony during movies to control volume, FF, etc. Both offer tremendous “bang for the buck” performance!

In 2003 (seems like a million years ago) I purchased the Outlaw Model 770 amp with the model 1950. 10 years ago as I went to a 7.2 setup from 5.1 I purchased the Marantz 5005 from Outlaw. Everything seems to be working fine but I have been looking to replace the Marantz with the 976 but is it already outdated? I have no plan to go to an atmos system but is there anything else I am missing with a more recent preamp or the Marantz 7705 (to be used as a pre amp)?

John

The Model 976 does not have built-in room correction or Atmos decoding. Those are big features for a lot of shoppers, but not for an Outlaw of the 7.1 channel variety.

There are some quirks you can read about on these forums. Most seem to make their peace with the remote or replace it. Some start the path to learning how to set the EQ with REW for a very home-brew room correction experience. HDMI-CEC throws curve balls with certain configs (not at all unique to the 976 or living in the year 2021).

If you value a straightforward 7.1 channel processor then here are some things rarely celebrated out loud about the 976:

-Toroidal power supply!
-Balanced DACs! The DACs on the Model 976's L/C/R channels are hybrid R2R/Delta Sigma ("Advanced Segment"). If you use your system as a 2 channel music system you will absolutely appreciate this.
-2 subwoofer XLR outputs (on top of all of the other balanced outputs)
-Outlaw Bass Management (distinct x-over point setting for each stereo pair and center)

The Outlaws have a track record of getting their DAC implementations right along with picking the best sounding power supply. I'd love to see an update but the 976 is excellent for its use case: 7.1 channel HT with 2 channel music appreciation.

A follow up issue to the 976 concerning video and possibly correcting a problem I have with my TIVO Bolt and hdmi outputs. I have both a plasma TV and an overhead projector and in the past I could send either a video signal to my TV via hdmi and to the overhead projector via component cables. Sound was handled via a connection from the Tivo to the Marantz that I used as a pre-amp for my Outlaw 770 amp. I connected my bluray via hdmi directly to the overhead projector (a 35 foot run).

I've upgraded to the Bolt that has no component out and there went my using my overhead projector for TIVO. I noticed that the 976 has 2 hdmi outs and 5 hdmi inputs. Could the 976 handle the following:

Bluray and TIVO hdmi inputs and each outputting to either the plasma TV and overhead projector. In effect the 976 acts as a kind of hdmi switch. I could then eliminate the component cable (a 35 foot run).

I hope I made this problem clear enough.

John.

What resolution and HDMI version are the Plasma and Projector? What HDMI/HDCP versions are the source components?

Only HDMI Out 1 on the Model 976 is 4k / HDMI 2.0b / HDCP 2.2 / ARC capable. HDMI Out 2 is not ARC capable, will not display the OSD, and cannot display any UHD sources (as it is HDMI 1.4). the Model 976 has 4 x HDMI 2.0b / HDCP 2.2 inputs (all on the back), and 2 x HDMI 1.4 inputs (one on the front).

I don't recall anyone's descriptions of how using 2 HDMI outs works in practice. I suspect that they don't both work at the same time (due to HDCP) and are available more for backward compatibility of sources and displays so that a specific input selection on the Outlaw correspond to the source and output.

Sorry this isn't easier!

Thanks for the response. The plasma TV is about 7 years old and 780p (I think) while the projector is 1080p and 4 years old. I assume because of their age hdmi outputs on both are 2.0 or older. I don't have to have both on at the same time. I would have to buy the 976 to see if it resolves my hdmi switching problems and if it doesn't, send it back.

John

Sounds like it might work for your current sources and displays. Unfortunately the Model 976 is currently sold out!