1. I am kind of glad the 997 has not yet come out because I don't have to try to convince my wife that I have to replace the 990! I admit though I am mildly concerned that the 997 will be "obsolete" before it is introduced. But, that is an "optical" obsolescence from my perspective because I am not sure what else they would have to add to other systems to make the 997 obsolete for me (e.g.a, I have no desire to add further height channels nor 3-D capabilities, and I do not need any additional HDMI inputs/outputs than what is already planned; but I think that a fully capable 7.1 Zone 2 and/or Zone 3 would be something available in another system that could possibly make the 997 obsolete for me because then I could have another rockin' system piped to my garage, backyard, and/or game room).

Best Regards,
Ed