I am wondering 2 things, hopefully scott will answer directly. First, does the distance compansation work on the 7.1 inputs? I want to avoid an A/D-D/A conversion if I can...I need to know if there is any way to avoid this on the 7.1 inputs. I understand the xover is digital, and if the speakers are small, then it is enabled. BUT, if the speakers are large, does the analog pass through relays roughted around the digital side? I suspect it can't avoid getting digitally sampled and converted, but if it can avoid conversion, I'll do my distance compansation on the SACD machine, and use my outboard xover for bass managment. Please advise

Question for Scott:

I have been wondering the same thing. The 990 manual barely mentions the 7.1 hi rez input.
I have read Gonk's 990 review several times and gathered from it that unless you have all speakers set to large on the 990, it won't be analog direct on the 7.1 input. That is why I have have not considered upgrading. Scott, can the extra layer of a/d & d/a conversion be avoided if any of your speakers are set to small?