My Marantz SR7000 receiver has served me well for almost 7 years, but I feel the heart of the system is due for an upgrade. I too am a music first-movie second individual. I have many CD/SACD, DVD Audio and DVD music concert titles that I enjoy listening to.
I auditioned a Rotel RSP-1068 pre and RMB-1075 amp recently and didn't like the harsher sound and poorer imaging on 2 ch compared to the smoother sound of the Marantz. I am compiling a list of gear I plan to audition at home such as the Anthem AVM 30 pre / PVA7 pwr amp, Sherbourn PT7000 pre / 5210A 5-Channel Amplifier(demo), and the Marantz top of the line receiver SR9600. These combos are all out of my prefered cost window of $2K-$3K, so I was considering increasing it if it meant getting the audio performance I was wanting. I've known about Outlaw gear for some time and recently rechecked the product line and noticed they introduced newer units that may fit my requirements of performance and especially cost. I don't mind buying direct from the Internet. I got my speakers this way and got awesome speakers for a great price. From the reading I've been doing, the Outlaw 990 is more popular than their 970 for sonic reasons and if the phono input was decent I could ditch the Technics pre-amp I'm using for the phono eq-amp. I also need a 7 Ch amp, but that's for another discussion for later unless you would like to suggest one.

I would like to ask you a few questions about the 990:
1. Can you easily read the display from 12 ft away?
2. The 990 has 5 optical and only 2 coax digital inputs. Is this too few for coax inputs? I would rather at least 3 coax.
3. What do you think of the front panel visually and functionally?
4. Do you use the balanced or unbalanced audio outputs with your setup?
5. How warm does the unit get?
6. Is the phono pre amp decent quality?

...and about Outlaw in general:
How is Outlaw to deal with for delivery, returns, warranty, problems, questions? I haven't read a bad word about service from Outlaw. They seem commited to keeping the customers satisfied. I live in Canada, so any Canucks with advise in this area would be especially helplful.


MY EQUIPMENT LIST:

Pre/Pro/Amp: Marantz SR7000 Receiver and
Technics SU9070 Pre-amp (use for phono amp/eq only)

Front Speakers: Newform Research R630’s connected w/ Tara Labs RSC Prime Bi-Wire
Center Speaker: Newform Research R58 connected w/ Tara Labs RSC Prime Bi-Wire
Subwoofer: Paradigm PW-2200 connected w/ Audioquest Turquoise X2 Hyperlitz cable
Surrounds(Side): Boston Acoustics CR65 connected w/ Belden 8720 cable
Surrounds(Back): Energy Reference 22 (currently not in use)

DVD/CD/SACD/DVD-A Player: Marantz DV-7600, audio connected w/ Belden 8422 cable
CD Player: Marantz CD-63SE, connected w/ Tara Labs RSC Reference II cable
Turntable: Pro-Ject Expression II, connected w/ Belden 8422 cable

TV: Toshiba 55HX70 – 55” RP HDTV, connected w/ Ultralink Videophile cables
HD Cable/PVR: Motorola DCT6412-III, powered by APC UPS
VCR: Mitsubishi U56

*Audio and Video Equipment each have separate power circuits thru separate Furman Power Station 8 Digital-Linear AC Power Conditioners.

*Belden Cables are home made