Jester:

Don't want to parse this out, but I stand corrected in that you are right, the 4ES does have EQ, but not the "Auto EQ" that I am referring to here. So to some extent we're both right. To have Auto EQ you need to have an external mic, etc.

As to the delay, you HAVE to see it on the screen, as opposed to the front panel display. Otherwise, how else would you know when the picture and sound are in sync?

Hey, it's a ball game and you can pick the side you want. No product can please everyone, every time. On the other hand, the top-level feature package of the 990: DVI switching, LipSync delay, auto setup of output level and delay times, 4-way crossover, USB and RS-232 upgradeability, playback from computer to USB in, balanced outputs, etc., for $1,099 AND the fact that as far as all reports indicate, IT SOUNDS GREAT, seem to make it a great bargain.

You're hung on implementation of a feature that, while perhaps less convenient than you might like, you only set once. Your right to do that. But you haven't told us HOW DOES IT SOUND?