I am wondering if the 7.1 input has the distance comp in effect or not...

At one time, I was under the impression that the 7.1 input bypassed time delay settings.

But....?

But it's been a while since I heard it. I'm going to ask the Outlaws for confirmation before I speak with any certainty.

Hoping they clarify; the thing is, I don't know whether to apply distance comp at the SACD machine or 990...

Scott clarified for me (going to have to clarify my review now): when speakers are set to small and the 990 is applying bass management in the digital domain, both channel calibration and delay settings are also applied.

Thanks Gonk
I imagine the inverse is true? Meaning all set to large then NO distance comp or level set?
I'm thinking this could be tested by setting very different distances left and right, setting speakers all large, playing a mono recording, and listning for a echo...

That's my impression, as well.