I do understand your thought and reasoning about the lack of information about the 998. Deals are plentiful out there. Good deals.
I was tempted with the Integra DHC 9.9. Demo model, full warranty, $1200. No tax.
I have the 990/7700 and love my system.
That being said I fine myself always interested in stepping up to the next level. Call it a sickness, a disease. I don't care. I love home audio. I love the home theater experience. I love the idea of having friends and family over and listening to there experience that they have in my home theater and the desire to have the same experience in there home.

I am holding out. I will have more patience.
In my situation which is not one of need I can wait.

Good luck bstar320 whatever you decide.

Have the specifications been finalized and/or are they allowing scope creep?

Four + months since the announcement, and not another word...

Its the beginning of August and the 998 progress is a mystery to everyone. At this point we should be able to get some update as to the status of the 998. It would be nice to know if the price has stayed close to the 997 and if the feature set is still as described or if it has changed.

it looks like a ghost whisper at present no real updates to speak of since press release for announcement, only time will tell to see if and/or when the 998 will be released, they are being tight lipped about it..

Scott said in his May 18 communique that it would be towards the end of the year. That leaves four months for the Outlaws to produce.

you would think they would of had a progress update by now, since it is now august, it would be interesting to find out where they are with the product...

instead of hearing jack squat for 3 month's..

it's all fine and dandy saying a expectant release date towards the end of the year, though it is still nice to know where they are in regards to features the unit will and won't have..

them being quiet about a new product makes you wonder whether it is another smoke and mirrors release, given the issues with 997...

Well I didn't do the onkyo thing. I used my brothers Onkyo txr807 receiver in place of my 990 and just couldn't get use to the sound. Wow what a diff. I found the Onkyo overly bright and a bit bass heavy. Not horrible but not as refined as the Outlaw. I didn't run the Audyssey so I don't know if that would have made a difference, I simply used two channel stereo and the Onkyo as a preamp. I then tried a Denon Avr-3310ci as a preamp and wow it did sound a bit smoother but very similar to the onkyo. I got such a deal on the Denon from BB I may just keep it and give it to my baby sister once I get her a set of Viennas for passing the bar first try. (I'm so proud). Anyway I will wait until Jan for the 998 then I may buy the Marantz or other pre/pro that still sound great on 2 channel. I WANT MY OUTLAW !!!

Gentlemen,

I recall when the 950 came out. I checked this forum almost daily for news. Drove me nuts and I got frustrated and angry. It may be another 3 months before any announcements are made. And the product release may not be before the end of the year. Stay calm. Don’t let it get you frustrated and angry. I laugh at how obsessed I got over something like the release of a piece of electronics. I am certain all involved in this project are doing the best that they can to complete this unit. I suspect there are more complex technical issues today than there were during the release of the 950. I also suspect there may be more that is not in the hands of the Outlaws than there is in what they can control.

I think it is what some call “delayed gratification”.

Yeah, the anxiety is starting to build. Pretty soon we will have people complaining about it being late to market and obsolete all over again. Many will want it to be compared sight unseen to other equipment currently either on the market or maybe not. The frustration will really start once the Xmas lists get rolled out. We should just re-read the original announcement over and over so we don't get too anxious after Thanksgiving when it is ready for testing.