I might add that when at least one speaker is set to SMALL the 990 switches bass management to ON (and doing so converts the analog inputs to digital, and back to analog later of course).
I'm not sure if it's possible to do this just for 7.1 and keep all speakers LARGE for other modes.
You can't set BYPASS for 7.1 input.
Most receivers and processors only offer DIRECT, effectively taking the analog inputs direct to the volume pot, as in BYPASS.
I could not find a way to disengage A/D'ing and DA'ing for 7.1.
Or maybe my oversight?
Still, the SACD sound from the 990 is really magnificent, with a lot of deep space, great clarity and velvety treble.
I'm a real SACD nut (I love all these little companies taking over the torch from big guys like Sony (one of the inventors!) who declared SACD dead by stopping releasing SACD's.
I have a few hundred SACD's and love the sound!
Let's hope American company Telarc will keep the flame burning too!