One thing I wish is that it had a set of balanced stereo inputs for a higher end CD player to be connected and used in "bypass" mode. I know a lot of good CD players, and even the top Oppo DVD/CD player have balanced analog outputs. I am using 5 balanced outputs from my 990 to the 7500 amp.

Right now with my 990, I'm using the Digital RCA/Coax input from an Adcom CD changer from the mid-90s. I guess if I upgraded to the 978, it should sound better using this same connection, due to the different DACs in it.

Also, I'm using a Panasonic Tube 36" HDTV from 2001, and all it has is 2 sets of Component 1080i/480p HD inputs. One is connected.to the HD DVR cable box and the other is connected to the DVD player. I see 3 sets of Component video inputs on the 978, but no Component video output. That means I couldn't pass-through my video through the 978. Naturally, whenever I update my TV, that wouldn't matter since those all have HDMI, but that might still be a couple years out.

By the way, is there still planning to be a 998, or just the 978?