I agree, this is GOOD news.
The front panel with dedicated source keys is definately what the dr ordered.
Call me crazy, but S/N sounds too much like plain old Sherwood, who I know nothing about except that they made absolute junk with lies for specs. These, of course, were your $79 recievers...
Anyways, the outlaws have prevaled. the 997 is dead; long live the 998.
Oh, please include at least 9.1, and let me do 8.1 if so inclined (sum stereo hieght for 1 speaker)