When introduced, Won the Home Theater and HiFi Reviewers Choice awardI took this in on trade from a client of mine. Been in service slightly over a year.
Original Retail $999

Here are the specs and features:
Specs
Supported formats:
Dolby digital
Dolby-EX
Dolby Pro-Logic II
DTS Digital
DTS-ES
DTS NEO:6
PCM D/A conversion: 44.1K/16-bit to 192K/24-bit (*no up sampling)
S/N: 90 dB (A weighted)
THD+N:< 0.05%, typical 0.01%
Video connections: 2 composite video, 2 s-video, 3 component video
Digital audio input: 2 coaxial/optical, *1 CD coaxial (*video circuit off when CD input is selected)
Analog audio input: **1 set of 7.1 analog input for SACD/DVD-A, 5 analog input, 1 analog record out.
(**7.1 analog input act as 8-ch analog preamp)
Dimension: 3.54" X 17" x 18" (H x W x L), 17.5 lb
Electrical: AC 120/240VAC, 20W
Aluminum faceplate
For those using the DCX2496 in the digital "IN", this offers an
EXCELLENT 6 channel preamp at the output.
Looking for $499