Hi
Just rumor, hearsay and a bit of suspicion I have no solid info
Whoop’s I just found this bit of info I think it confirms my suspicion
If The Outlaws can build upon the 965 platform and tweak the user interface and fix some of the bug's I had with the units I had it may be a decent Pre/Pro It sure does have allot to offer including Balanced output’s But
I really don’t understand why they selected DVI switching?
Here is a cut and paste of the 965/990-platform discussion
Hope this helps
From the Outlaw Forum :
posted April 13, 2005 11:32 PM
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Questions About The Model 990 Preamp/Processor
Also, see this link on our web site.
--Last Updated April, 2005--
Q: I've read that the Model 990 is similar to the Sherwood P-965. Is that true?
A: The Model 990 does share the same underlying platform as the P-965, but there are a number of key differences between the two products. The Outlaws selected the P-965 as the basis for the Model 990 due to the fact that it is widely recognized as one of the best sounding processors available. Starting with a proven product, our own designers and engineers took the sound, features, connectivity and operation of the processor to new heights.
Q. Why didn't you design your own product?
A. The reality of the electronics industry today is such that a company of OutlawÕs size cannot always support the cost of developing as complex a product as the Model 990 from the "ground-up". By starting with an existing platform we are able to take advantage of the cost savings made possible by sharing costs while at the same time adding our unique features and our value oriented pricing.
Q. Does this mean that all of your products are based on other companies' designs?
A. NO, not at all. Outlaw uses the three different models shown below for product development, and so do all the other specialty brands to one degree or another, regardless of their distribution model. The selection of which development path to use is determined by the specific product, its cost, complexity and its anticipated volume. Going back to our first offering, the Model 750 amplifier, we have never hidden our relationships with some of the industry's leading manufacturers. Remember that out process is not unique, and only a few of the ÒmajorÓ brands actually design and manufacture their own processors from the ground up. We know of no company in the "internet only" market that totally designs and builds all of their processors on their own.
Many of our products are designed by or for us, and are Outlaw exclusives. Our original Model 1050 receiver, the ICBM, our forthcoming Model 1070 A/V Receiver, the RR 2150 stereo receiver, and our interconnect cables all fall into this category. Nobody but the Outlaws has these products in any form. In some cases we work with a supplier to develop a product from the ground up to our specifications. However, to spread the enormous development costs we agree to allow the manufacturer to offer the product in other forms to other brands after a window of exclusivity. The Model 950 has been a good example of that development model. Its hardware and software were designed and engineered by and for the Outlaws. Once we introduced it to the market, the manufacturing company was then permitted to offer it to others. In other cases, such as the Model 990, we find a product that has the potential to become an Outlaw offering. We then work with the manufacturer to adapt it to our specifications and add additional features that are exclusive to Outlaw. This is the reverse of the previous example, as it allows us to take advantage of a complete design ÒplatformÓ while extensively modifying it to the needs of the Outlaw community. In addition to the Model 990, our LFM-1 is also a good example of this product development model.
Q. So what are the differences between the Model 990 and the P-965?
A. There are a number of differences, but here are some of the major ones:
• Balanced outputs for all channels.
• DVI video switching (two in/one out)
• Improved bass management with Quadruple crossover settings so that the front left/right, center, surround and back surround channel outputs may be set for different crossovers
• A totally different setup and menu system for added flexibility. This includes renamable video inputs, a subwoofer offset for stereo sources, a system lock setting, and other refinements. The front panel operation is also unique, with complete access to the menus.
• Unique industrial design with aluminum front panel and removable front panel input covers.
Q. Is the Model 990's upgradeable for possible future enhancements?
A. Yes. Both the unit's system firmware and the software that drives the surround
