No feelings about the Marantz although I am sure it is a good processor. I can't see spending that much on it at this point. I would wait for next year if your 990 is holding up. No doubt some new bell or whistle will come out that makes life livable again. Although the demise of the 978 was kind of expected I am sure it is a great shock to Outlaws everywhere. Of all the aguments I have heard about made in China the best one would now appear to be that their court system won't allow Outlaw to do much about the "unilateral cancellation" of the 978.