I really liked my Outlaw 975 but then it died. I contemplated getting it fixed but didn't feel comfortable fixing a 7 year old out of date processor. So I was in the same situation as you, what to replace it with? My budget was the same as yours.
I read tons of reviews and comparisons, my conclusion was affordable surround processors sound mediocre at best. Sure everyone have their favorite imported brand but then another review disses it.
Rule #1: if 50% of the reviews are good and 50% of the reviews are bad... then it is bad.
The only products that consistently received excellent reviews are made by Anthem. I bought an Anthem AVM 60 and after 2 years I am consistently amazed and thrilled by it's performance and sound, comparing it to my old Outlaw would be like comparing my 2012 Ford Focus to a BMW M3. The AVM 60 is discontinued with the AVM 70 taking it's place at a higher price, there are plenty of used AVM 60's available, check out
Hi-fi Shark. The Focus cost me only $500 more than a new AVM 70 and it gets much better mileage than the M3 although harder to find in a Trader Joe's parking lot.
Anthem units have great clarity without getting harsh or bright at high volumes, dialog is a lot easier to understand. Bass management is excellent and the ARC room correction blends the volume and frequency response of the surround speakers to main speakers for a seamless home theater experience.
The IOTAVX AVX1 looks like an interesting unit, do they have a US distributor? A real PITA if you have to send it to the UK for service. The unit is currently out of stock, it could be another victim of the chip shortage.
A Outlaw Audio Model 976 7.2 recently appeared in the Trading Post. $750. It has one inquiry already.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177198.msg1865224#msg1865224There is an Anthem MRX-520 for sale on the Trading Post. $850 + shipping. The unit has pre-outs if your amps are better than the processor's internal amps.
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=177129.msg1864737#msg1864737But after hearing both the Outlaw and Anthem sound the MRX-520 would hands down get my vote.