I'd buy the 990. Doesn't seem to have all the various bugs the 970 does. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't have bought my 970.
We are still waiting for the "official" firmware release for the no audio problem. There are other problems as well like front panel buttons locking, weird volume issues (pressing up lowers volume and vice versa), popping from speakers, and damage to speakers.
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Onkyo PR-SC886 (Retired Outlaw 970)
Outlaw 7100
Outlaw 200 Monoblock x2
M&K 851 for L/C/R
Axiom QS8 for SL/SR/1SB
SVS Pb12-ISD/2 (x2)
Sony VPL-HW15 (Retired Infocus 7205)
Sony PS3 / Pioneer DV-533