Gonk,

I'm guesstimating that the 4806 will have a "street price" of around $2600 or so. Extrapolating, I estimate that a pre-pro based on the 4806 will list in the neighborhood of $2500 or so, with a "street price" of $1750 or thereabouts. Would that price be a sweet spot for me IF it includes Audyssey MultEQ? Quite possibly, since Denon tends to feature pack their products. Then again, Audyssey might have their standalone box at that point..which would make things moot.
I agree that the 990 is an absolutely incredible bargain for what the Outlaws are asking. It's just that I'm salivating over automatic room eq.