The annual CEDIA Expo is open to the trade only and as such very few people outside the custom installation business, which we suspect includes most Outlaws, are able to attend. However, thanks to their various disguises, the Outlaws were there, and we’d like to describe something we saw, and most importantly, heard. To our ears, it was one of the most important audio technology demonstrations at this or any trade show in the past few years. We’re talking about the first public presentation of a fully operational model of the forthcoming Sherwood Newcastle R-972 Audio Video Receiver. The high point of these demos, presented by Sherwood’s Jeff Hipps, was the first demonstration of a consumer audio product with on-board Trinnov Optimizer technology. Up until now, the only way to demonstrate this groundbreaking technology was to use an outboard box running the professional version of the Optimizer.

If you are not familiar with Trinnov technology, the Optimizer is more than just another equalization or room correction process. Already in use in some of the world’s most sophisticated recording venues (including the mixing rooms at 20th Century Fox), it will soon be available to consumers for the very first time. Truly unlike anything else in our industry, Trinnov Optimizer technology addresses virtually all of the challenges of creating the perfect home theater and music environment, including both room acoustics AND speaker placement. For example, imagine being able to electronically “raise” your center channel from a position close to the floor so that it is acoustically aligned with left/right speakers located three feet above the center channel speaker. That acoustic adjustment is only possible with Trinnov processing.

With few exceptions, most advances in consumer audio technologies other than new codecs have offered only incremental improvements in the audible performance of an AV receiver or surround processor; this is not so with Trinnov. Over the years we’ve heard ‘em all, and Sherwood’s demonstrations at CEDIA Expo confirmed what we’ve known for some time: The Trinnov Optimizer system, as incorporated in the R-972, is without a doubt one of the most significant audible advancements we have ever encountered!

We consider the Trinnov system to be a “disruptive technology” in that the dramatic improvements it brings to the listening experience are substantial enough to be game changers. You’ll have to wait a bit to hear it for yourself, but in the meantime you may learn more about what Trinnov technology does, and why we feel it is so important, by reading the information available at http://trinnov.com/optimizer.php and http://trinnov.com/research.php

As a sanity check, we are not alone in our opinion of the significance of this revolutionary new technology. At least two very high-end companies are working to incorporate the Optimizer into their own offerings, albeit in products that will carry very high pricing.

Announcing The Outlaw Model 997

Why are we so excited about this development? As many of you know, we have an excellent working relationship with Inkel, Sherwood Newcastle’s parent company, and we worked closely with them to develop our award winning Model 990 preamp processor.

Today, we are pleased to reveal that we have made significant progress on another project with Inkel, our next-generation processor, the Model 997. This new feature-packed processor utilizes the R-972 platform, complete with the remarkable Trinnov processing.

Equally important, we are now able to confirm what you may have read in the on-line forums: Sherwood Newcastle will not offer a processor-only version of the R-972. Similarly, Outlaw Audio will not offer a receiver version of our new preamp processor, the Model 997. Each of our respective companies is sticking to what it knows best, while working together to complete the platform along parallel paths.

To give you a preview of what will be inside the Outlaw Audio Model 997, the first thing to look at is the reasoning behind which chips are used for the DSP engine. Porting the power of the Trinnov algorithms from the professional Optimizer product, which is a full-fledged computer all to itself, to an affordable consumer product has been an extremely challenging task. This newly designed audio/video platform not only has to handle the Trinnov Optimizer but, at the same time, must also decode all of the latest high bit rate (HBR) lossless technologies such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. It must also take care of post-processing functions such as precision bass management and lip sync delay. To accomplish this sophisticated processing, the R-972/Model 997 platform utilizes two high-power Texas Instruments DSP chips. Quite frankly, most other competitive DSP chips simply do not have the processing capabilities and floating-point operation required to handle everything we just mentioned at the same time.

Along with superb audio performance, both the Model 997 and its cousin, the Newcastle R-972, will deliver spectacular image processing thanks to a video section designed around Silicon Optix’s Reon circuitry, with multiple HDMI 1.3a and component video inputs feeding the system. Also included is an XM-Ready tuner, multi-room capability and a host of other features.

Pulling everything together is an all-new graphical user interface and menu system based on the easy-to-use system originally developed by the Outlaws for the Model 990. This means that anyone familiar with the existing Model 990 and Model 970 processors will be up and running in minutes, while “newbies” will easily adjust from their existing system. Even “technophobes” will find the controls easy to use.

The differences between the two products will show where the Outlaw influence really takes hold. For example, as a processor, the Model 997 will offer both balanced and standard outputs fed by audiophile grade, ultra-low noise DACs. The Outlaw model will offer some slight changes in the software as well as a new and different remote control.

To end speculation about industrial design, other than making room for a new two-line front panel information display, the Model 997’s appearance will be nearly identical to the Model 990. This preserves the present industrial design’s simple and intuitive navigation controls. It also allows owners of complete Outlaw systems to upgrade their processor to the Model 997 and maintain design coherence with existing Outlaw amplifiers. Other Outlaw design touches in the new platform will help to make it as consumer friendly as possible without compromising flexibility for the advanced user.

Model 997 Price and Delivery Estimates

Working samples are on their way to us now, but as you might imagine, we need to put them through extensive internal testing, numerous agency certifications and licensor acceptance tests, and finally, external beta testing by your fellow Outlaws. At the same time, the Sherwood Newcastle model is currently being field-tested, and any required hardware modifications or software tweaks uncovered by that process will be incorporated in the Model 997. This parallel testing process will help assure that this product will be as bug-free as possible from the very first unit, even as both companies break new ground with the first consumer implementation of the Trinnov Optimizer.

The introduction date for the Model 997 will be determined once the initial production of the Sherwood Newcastle R-972 AV Receiver is completed. Delivery of the first Model 997’s will follow shortly thereafter. At the present time, our estimate for the ship date is close to the very end of this year or early in January 2009. Please understand that this is our best estimate based upon what we know today and, as with all new technology products, it is subject to change. We’ll keep you posted on this date as we move into late autumn, and we will open a reservation list when the release date becomes “hardened”.

As to the Model 997’s price, we are working on the final costs but, as previously announced, it will be about twice the current price of the Model 990, with an estimated “introductory price” of $1,399. Don’t forget, original Model 990 or Model 970 owners will receive a $200 discount from the Model 997’s price.

Something To Consider

Looking to upgrade an old system now? There’s no need to wait, as the $200 discount on the Model 997 applies not only to existing original owners, but also to anyone who now purchases a Model 990 or Model 970 at their current value pricing. Upgrading to one of our current processors enables you to enjoy all of the new fall programming, the World Series, all the HDTV broadcasts of college and pro football games and all the other digital multi-channel programming in full 5.1 or 7.1 surround today, with an upgrade down the line to what will be the most talked about product of the year, with an exclusive discount.

As a reminder, the Model 990 and Model 970 are fully compatible with the new lossless audio formats (Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio) through a simple connection from the 5.1 or 7.1 analog outputs available on many of the newest Blu ray players. All you have to do is connect those outputs to the 7.1 analog inputs on either Outlaw processor and you’ll be up and running with the world’s most advanced codecs.

We’ll have more information for you as we get closer to the formal release date, but no matter whether it is a Model 970 or Model 990 today, or the Model 997 tomorrow, at Outlaw Audio, The best values in Home Theater are just a mouse click away™.