3) I am on the fence right now. My main reason for wanting to upgrade is HDMI (I want to get rid of some cables) and access to the new CODEC's ( I have a PS3). I will eventually get an OPPO, but don't want to deal with the cables. The 997 looks very interesting especially with the Trinnov processing but the processor has no phono input. The Onkyo 886 looks like a great option to me.

With respect to the "time to market" of the 997 it seems to me that only the large players like denon, yamaha, sony, onkyo etc have been able to successfully implement hdmi and new software quickly. Parasound is still working on it, B&K doesn't even make mention of it. Since my main interest is music, I am not to worked up over all of this.

I think an update from Outlaw would be helpful.