I was patiently waiting for the 997 but this offer looks pretty good although I understand that the successor to the 886 (the PR-SC5507) should be released in the near future which just complicates my decision a bit more. Here are the specs:
Edit: More infor at:
http://www.eu.onkyo.com/press/press_release_en_8599753.html
I would hope that the US release of the unit would be close to the European one.
ADVANCED FEATURES
THX® Ultra2 Plus™ Certified
DTS-HD Master Audio™, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio™, Dolby® TrueHD, and Dolby® Digital Plus Decoding
HDMI™ Version 1.3a to Support Deep Color™, x.v.Color™, LipSync, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, Multichannel PCM, and CEC
HDMI Video Upscaling to 1080p with HQV Reon-VX
DSD Direct for Super Audio CD
Audio and 1080p Video Processing via HDMI (1 Front/7 Rear Inputs and 2 Outputs [Main/Sub])
Burr-Brown 192 kHz/32-Bit DACs (PCM1795 x 6) for All Channels
Ultra-Low-Jitter PLL (Phase Locked Loop) Circuitry to Improve Audio Quality
Three TI (Aureus™) 32-Bit DSP Chips (DA830 x 1, DA788 x 2) for Advanced Processing
VLSC™ (Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry) for All Channels
ISF (Imaging Science Foundation) Video Calibration
Audyssey DSX™ and Dolby® Pro Logic® IIz for New Surround Channels
Audyssey MultEQ™ XT to Correct Room Acoustic Problems and to Calibrate Speakers
Audyssey Dynamic Volume™ to Maintain Optimal Listening Level and Dynamic Range
Audyssey Dynamic EQ™ for Loudness Correction
Dolby® Volume for Reference-Quality Listening Experience at Any Volume
Network Capability for Streaming Audio Files (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, LPCM)
Internet Radio Connectivity (Last.fm* and vTuner)
Certified with Windows 7 and DLNA Version 1.5
Bi-Amping Capability
Zone 2 and Zone 3 for Playback of Separate Sources in Other Rooms
Zone 2 Monitor Outputs (Component and Composite) and Zone 2/3 Subwoofer Pre Outs
D-sub (15 pin) Input for PC or Analog RGB
Universal Port for Single-Cable Connection of Optional Onkyo Dock for the iPod or DAB+ Radio Tuner
4 DSP Modes for Gaming: Rock, Sports, Action, and RPG (Role Playing Game)
2 Independent Subwoofer Pre Outs
AUDIO & VIDEO FEATURES
9.2-Channel Balanced Line-Level XLR Pre Outs (with Front Bi-Amping Capability)
2-Channel Balanced XLR Audio Inputs
Dual IR Inputs with Common Output
Linear Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry
Neural-THX® Surround Decoder
Music Optimizer™ for Compressed Digital Music Files
Theater-Dimensional Virtual Surround Function
RIHD (Remote Interactive over HDMI) for System Control
Direct Mode and Pure Audio Mode
Tone Control (Bass/Treble) for All Channels
Front-Side Auxiliary Inputs (for Camcorders, Game Consoles, etc.)
2 USB Ports (Front/Rear) for MP3 Audio Devices (Audio Only)
Component Video Upscaling (Up to 1080i)
Component Video Switching (3 Inputs and 1 Output)
5 Composite Video Inputs and 2 Outputs
Color-Coded, 9 Multichannel Pre Outs
7 Digital Inputs (4 Optical and 3 Coaxial)
Independent Crossover Adjustment for F/C/S/SB/FH/FW (40/50/60/70/80/90/100/120/150/200 Hz)
A/V Sync Control Function (Up to 250 ms in 5 ms Steps)
40 FM/AM Random Presets with RDS (PS/RT/PTY/TP)
OTHER FEATURES
Gold-Plated A/V Inputs and Outputs
High-Rigidity Flat Chassis (1.6 mm Thick)
4 S-Video Inputs and 1 Output
5 A/V Inputs and 1 Output
Monitor Outputs (Component Video, Composite Video, and S-Video)
3 Audio Inputs and 1 Output
Phono Input
Gold-Plated, Machined Solid Brass, 19 mm-Pitch Audio Inputs (CD and Phono)
Color-Coded, 7.1-Multichannel Inputs
12V Triggers (A, B, and C) with Adjustable Delay
Onscreen Display (OSD)
IntelliVolume
Aluminum Front Panel and Volume ****
Firmware Updates via Ethernet and USB
Bi-Directional Ethernet Port and RS232 Port
Compatible with RI (Remote Interactive) Dock for the iPod
Bi-Directional, Preprogrammed, and Customizable RI Remote Control with Backlight, Onscreen Setup, Mode-Key LEDs, and Macro Presets for Four Activities