Wondering if anyone else is experiencing increased bass levels in STEREO and UPSAMPLE modes vs. BYPASS. This happens when I feed a digital signal (CD via digital coax) as well as analog (PHONO). Not that I would ever go through the A/D - D/A process for the PHONO, but it's puzzling for CD playback. However, I've read that most people cannot hear the difference between BYPASS and UPSAMPLE (except for the increased volume level). The front speakers are set to LARGE, and subwoofer is set to NONE. I checked the treble & bass settings, and they're at 0. I then used a direct connection from by CD (with variable out) directly to my amp (thus taking the 990 out of the signal path), and the STEREO and UPSAMPLE modes are obviously outputting unnatural amounts bass. I don't believe this is related to any sort of bass mgmt issue. Any others experience this?

I think it's because when you use the BYPASS mode.. it does not use the subwoofer.. hence bypass. bypasses the video section and the subwoofer as I understand it.

I did too notice an increase in bass when using Stereo and Upsample. i prefer Bypass and Upsample the best for 2 channel listeing to music.

It appears that you were comparing the d/a processing of your cd player with the 990's processing. In my opinion, we should here the different when the quality of the D/A converter is of big different.

Kwok

As skyblazer points out, in bypass mode, you bypass the cross-over and subwoofer; sending the full signal to the mains. If you're hearing a deeper bass, then that's probably because your sub is capable of reproducing lower frequencies. If you're hearing a louder bass, then you might want to re-visit your channel callibration; you might have the sub level set too high.

To some degree the sub/LFE level is a matter of personal taste; I suspect lots of folks have it set a little higher than 'flat'.

No sub installed. But as Skyblazer noted, there's definitely increased bass output in the STEREO & UPSAMPLE modes compared to BYPASS - even for just the front 2 speakers. Since I don't have a sub installed, and the sub option is set for NONE, there should be no bass management processing when only listening to the front 2 speakers. I understand that in surround modes, the bass from any surround channel including center is redirected to the fronts based on the x-over settings for the surround channels. However, for just front 2 speaker stereo operation, the frequency response should prettly much stay the same whether in STEREO, BYPASS, or UPSAMPLE modes. I'm in my 3rd week with the 990; I'm really impressed with the sound quality, but there are obvious usability and processing execution issues. I've got another week to decide whether to keep it, and I'm quite torn about it.

-deleted-
Just realized you said there was more bass on upsample/stereo, not the other way around.
Sorry.

what is your sub offset set to? Is it negative?

He doesn't have a sub at all, so sub offset should not play a role in his system.

Gonk:
Ah - sorry. Long day - missed that point.

No sweat - long day here, too, and it didn't click with me at first either that there wasn't a sub.