Any updates on the 976? I bought a 975, but I plan to return it. From the description here, the 976 would be a better fit for me.

Any thoughts on how REW (using a laptop and the USB mic that Ben suggested above) would compare to Audyssey XT32? I tried a Marantz SR-6011 receiver, and I wasn't happy with the sound compared to the 975. It was always either unrealistically "big" (no focus to the imaging) or would collapse to have no height or depth. The Reference levels produced by XT32 created a very harsh, bright tone.

If the 976 has much the same sound as the 975, but with more ability to tweak the sound, I'd be happy to hold out for it, even though it would potentially mean I'm without a preamp (and thus any music) for a good while.