I'd noticed that, too, but figured it would work out better than any other approach to replacing the 1050. The 1050's replacement will arrive this year, but I doubt a big brother or successor to the 950 will show up until next year (and I do think that timeline -- receiver in 2004, pre/pro a year or so later around late 2005 or early 2006 -- is fairly likely, although I have no evidence to back that up). Will that order hurt Outlaw? If anything, it will help overall (and the reverse would have hurt, since the 1050 was clearly ready to be retired and the 950 still has some a good run left in it). A PLIIx receiver in the tradition of the 1050 would not necessarily invalidate the 950. PLIIx by itself isn't adding a lot, especially for anyone using 5.1 or 6.1 speaker systems. If they do incorporate a significant number of the features that 950 owners have suggested, there will very likely be some cannibilization of 950 sales in favor of the new receiver as pre/pro or in favor of 950/7100 sets, but the 950 will still have a market -- and their return to the receiver market should more than balance out any reduction in 950 sales.

Plus it's likely going to be a great tease for what we might see in their next pre/pro...

------------------
gonk -- 950 Review | LFM-1 Review | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | Saloon Links