Didn't order a 990 last week...wouldn't be able to firmware upgrade, blah, blah, blah....my brother insists on latest firmware but wont spring for a laptop to haul up to the mountain theater home,,

But then found out through Saloon about B-stock, firmware installation and free shipping.....Called 'Steve", pulled the trigger and blam! Should be here in Calif. before next weekend when I will take it 6 thousand feet up and conduct hi-altitude tests....and hook-up the 990 as well....(joke)

And, of course, my brother called me 10 minutes later to say he finally bought a lap-top and cable for firmware upgrade....I just chuckled....Don't have the heart to tell him what I had just done! Oh, well, there could be future firmware updates....I'm going to pretend I still need it and tell him later that the upgrade went smooth as butter! The money I have saved on the b-stock unit will go directly to the "Needy-Beer" foundation I started about fifteen minutes ago. Thanks all!

- Excellent! I suspect you'll enjoy the 990, no matter what the altitude. As you say, there could always be additional firmware updates, to don't let the laptop get away.

No doubt Gonk. I have been outboarding a 2802 for awhile and the pre/out is anemic, although all my A/V crash test dummies(family/friends) are wowed and bowled over...

I am extremely fortunate because although I may be small-dollar potatoes...I have obscene access to Godzilla gear just about whenever I want to..I've been good friends with a Hi-End dealer/now mega-system custom installer for over twenty years and he has always been generous in letting me drag home gear for evaluation and fun even when he knows I can't afford it or have no intentions of buying it. I've got to play with Parasound/Bel Canto/Integra and others in home and with other set-ups and its all great. The downside is, of course, returning the stuff! I sure I could have got a great deal on the Para 7100 or maybe a demoed C2, but I'd just rather save the money now and try the 990,,, which I'm positive....for the money,,,, I'll be thrilled with....or my money back! Can't go wrong! Till I turn the power on! Report back in a couple of weeks not for a review, but most likely a quick report of fun and thanks. Thanks!

No doubt Gonk. I have been outboarding a 2802 for awhile and the pre/out is anemic, although all my A/V crash test dummies(family/friends) are wowed and bowled over...

I am extremely fortunate because although I may be small-dollar potatoes...I have obscene access to Godzilla gear just about whenever I want to..I've been good friends with a Hi-End dealer/now mega-system custom installer for over twenty years and he has always been generous in letting me drag home gear for evaluation and fun even when he knows I can't afford it or have no intentions of buying it. I've got to play with Parasound/Bel Canto/Integra and others in home and with other set-ups and its all great. The downside is, of course, returning the stuff! I sure I could have got a great deal on the Para 7100 or maybe a demoed C2, but I'd just rather save the money now and try the 990,,, which I'm positive....for the money,,,, I'll be thrilled with....or my money back! Can't go wrong! Till I turn the power on! Report back in a couple of weeks not for a review, but most likely a quick report of fun and thanks. Thanks!

I look forward to hearing how the 990 works out for you, westlee.