AirPlay won't be in the Model 978 because there's no network interface. The same is true for a smart phone app to provide control. You could get an AppleTV for $99, though, and connect it to any processor or receiver to get AirPlay along with a number of other functions (including control of the AppleTV via the Apple Remote app).

I think the 978 pretty much hits the sweet spot of features to price assuming it will be priced at or below $1500. My 990 continues to work well and so I'm in no rush to buy a new processor and will wait on the 978. I did notice, and maybe it was mentioned before, that the 978 does not include a USB digital input on the back panel. That has been a convenient input on my 990 when I wanted to hook my laptop directly to my system to play music. Monoprice offers a USB to HDMI adapter for 2-channel use that costs $30 that might be a solution but the 990's USB input is certainly handy. I agree with Gonk that an Apple TV is a good network solution in particular since it can be easily upgraded/changed and the hardware in the pre/pro won't become a stranded asset. Do we have any idea if the second zone outputs will use the high quality DACs?

I would like to bump part of my post from Mar. 2010 for Outlaw's consideration in the 978 successor processor



As a clarification here, I would want the best possible DAC's in the pre-pro (and a high quality stereo ADC). That way I can run all digital input where possible and be able to take advantage of whatever correction systems are included.

I see the imbedded Linux system as a way for Outlaw to potentially fix problems easier and offer new functions and features (possibly as an added cost options).

I am pretty sure this ship has sailed. It is too late now to change much internally to the 978.

73Bruin is talking about the successor product. The 998, not the 978.

Most receivers and processors that feature Audyssey room correction typically offer what I like to call the "Audyssey triple play" that includes MultEQ XT or XT32, Dynamic EQ and Dynamic Volume. Have Peter or Scott ever mentioned whether this will also be the case for the 978?

I hope it will at least include Dynamic EQ on top of MultEQ XT32 because one doesn't always listen at reference volumes like 85 dB SPL or more. So if you want the keep most of the benefits that MultEQ XT32 brings when listening at lower volume levels, you pretty much need Dynamic EQ too! Tact's RCS digital room correction for instance is also dynamic.

With more internet related devices being added these days, I would like to see a per input initial sound level setting.

Discrete IR and Serial (RS232) codes for mute ON and OFF, Headphone output ON and OFF please. The headphone one is especially important as even with some intelligent remote/controller setup for the 990, it's a bit of a wait until the output switches over.

I'm also assuming that the dynamic EQ component of Audyssey will be present, it's insanely valuable in an AV pre-amp.

i recently become interested in outlaw 978/998, especially in the 998 because of trinnov, i won't get a new system for a while so hopefully at least model 978 will come out(am am sure audyssey xt32 pro is great as well). i don't care about networking or poor quality streaming like spotify. i have read that 978 will have a "audiophile" phono stage and on board ad converter, this is pretty usefull since i then only need a turntable in order to rip winyl, since the quality of vinyl decreases by usage it's pretty valuable being able to get a digital version of the album on my pc. i know model 978 has coax s/pdif output, however that requires a pc with spdif input(some motherboards has internal coax spdif input) and coax spdif cable(added cost). being able to send audio over usb would be valuable.

many pc:s today lacks hdmi output but almost all has usb. having bout audio and video over usb 3.0 would be even better but i don't expect that.

As for video processing i havn't found a single unit that fits me, my next monitor will be atleast 2560*1440, i would like to have 3840*2400. But amost all receivers and prepros is limited to 1080p which is becoming very outdated. Even laptops has 1080p these days. Ipad 3 has 2048*1536. Converting and processing for every single resulution up to 4096*3072(and all lover resulutions) will make the prepro futureproof.

There is no such thing as "state if the art video processing up to 1080p". Spending $$$ on video processing for a low quality 1080p monitor is just stupid, these money is better spent on the monitor, i hopes outlaw 998 will be better at this point. As for 978 the right thing to do is to get it out so soon as possible. Changing anything this late is a terrible idea.

Nobody knows about the 998. For now we are still trying to get out the 978. As for greater than 1080p, that is the standard of what we have and it is NOT outdated at all. Most movies do not even get the most out of 1080p as it stands. To get a true 2k or even 4k picture, they will have to rework bluray to something better. I won't go into the subject deeply here but bluray is on it's last days or formidable years. Samsung and Sony said this among many others.

The 978 will be a state of the art processor but configuring it to pass through a picture that has not seen the light at this point or whenever is not priority. It will be a while before we can get a much higher quality picture AND the movie studios all must jump on board with this. The tv industry is hurting bad and Sony is bleeding financially on their tv division.

You will need a lot of patience for a better tv format.