I was worried that you might not be ready for that particular issue - although it's good that you didn't get sidetracked by the 40GB model that apparently dropped SACD support entirely.

For an inexpensive entry into DVD-A/SACD, you might also look for a new OPPO player like the 980H - $180 and it gives you support for both formats with a multichannel analog output that can be hooked up to a 970 or 990.

Either processor will provide the necessary bass management for these formats without the need for an ICBM. The 970 offers two approaches: an 80Hz analog crossover network or a D/A conversion that allows access to the processor's quadruple crossover. The 990 duplicates the latter option. If I had a 970, I'd probably go with the analog crossover network (it worked well for me when I had my old Model 950, and provides the cleaner signal path of the two options). With the 990, I've found the D/A conversion it performs to be remarkably transparent - and it provides for use of the quadruple crossovers, so you can dial things in to suit your speakers.