hello Gonk;
Yes i have calibrated the s550 the best I could with info that other users of the s550 have advised. I did use a regular dvd(Transformers) and checked the difference between dd/dts vs analog multi-chanel and db are still lower and while doing that I realized that my center channel does not work with multi-channel set up. The l/r are doing most of the work and that could explain the big diff. I did do a sound level ck with s550 on multi-channel set up and all the speakers work fine so its not a connection problem. I'll play with it some more tonight.
I did notice a big diff between blue rays and regular dvd on picture and sound, amazing. I'm really glad to hear that the 997 will sound much better because I had the 990 in my hands when they mention the 997 so as hard as it was i decided to wait for the 997 and send the 990 back.

Hello Koyaan: They are great speakers and with the addition of the lfm-1ex sub and the sms1 my system is great and I can not wait until the 997 gets here.
thanks Ramon