Hello everyone! Im a new guy & not yet a Outlaw owner. I currently have a Sherwood Newcastle p-965 pre-pro. Is the 990 a better pre-pro or are they the same? What does the 990 offer that the Sherwood doesnt have,besides balanced inputs. Thanks

The 990 is based on the P-965, although it has different software and adds some additional features (DVI switching, balanced outputs).

That's outputs, not inputs. Since changing from unbalanced to balanced outputs I've noticed a drop in hum, especially on phono (I have no idea why) and even clearer low bass.

Here's a pretty good article explaining why you might have less hum:
http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html#balance

Plus the signal strength on the balanced cables is higher- Outlaw once told me how much higher, but I can't find the number... this might yield higher signal to noise ratios too.

Balanced cables cancel out more noise, plus you can remove the 3rd pin (actually pin 1) to alleviate ground loop hum.

Plus in a fully balanced connection you get +6dB signal after the differential amplifier/transformer.