Quote:
Originally posted by gonk:
It's a sector of the market that's been turned a bit upside-down right now. For the sub-$2,000 price range, there's the Onkyo 885/Integra 9.8. Aside from those two (which are different names for the same core platform), I think it's mostly a waiting game. Outlaw has been quiet so far about specific features and specs for their new product, except to indicate that it will be a replacement for the Model 990. I expect that silence to remain until they are very close to shipping hardware, although I could be wrong (I'm basing that on the Model 990's launch and the low profile maintained so far).

What features are you interested in? If you don't need v1.3 bitstream support, room correction, or video processing, the Anthem AVM40 could be an option, although even used I doubt it would fit in your budget.
Important features to me so far would be it's ability to perform stellar two channel playback. I don't need it to decode the latest audio for HT, I'll let the BlueRay player do that. Two or three HDMI connections would fit the bill. And from what I've been reading the Audyssey MultiEQ XT is a real winner. I don't really need the video upconversion either, my display will take care of that.

I realize that it's akin to buying a car...you only want one or two features but they only come as a package. The same goes with some of the processors, to get what I'm looking for I'll probably get more than I really want.

I can't wait to get more info on the Outlaw's new flagship processor. Hopefully that'll fit the bill nicely. But as of right now the NAD T175 comes the closest. No video upscaling, it doesn't decode trueDolby HT or dtsHD, but it does have the Audyssey MultiEQ XT package. And knowing NAD I'm sure it does a stellar job on two channel playback. I'm not in any hurry so I'll just wait & see what's offered come the late fall.