I agree with Hank in that a lack of features won't kill the 978 as long as the price is right. However for a new customer with less experience with equipment the 978 is going to appear overpricedd even at $900. Those of us who have ridden this train for the last 4 years understood that the 997/998/978 would be extraordinary sounding without a lot of bells and whistles. If it had come out two years back it still would have lacked some features but we were ready for that. D&M has marched too far ahead for Outlaw to keep pace.