Curious that you can make some of your statements without actually hearing a 990 (one presumes that, like the rest of us, you haven't -- and from the tone of your posts it seems reasonable to presume that you won't be buying one).

For example: "Not unless the circuit has changed on the 990". Well, since everything we've been told indictes that the 950 and 990 are totally different products from totally different manufacturers based on totally different platforms, it seems safe to say that the circuits HAVE changed.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. Some say tomatoe -- ok, you get the picture. One has to think that the Outlaws thought that the features, such as a tuner and phono section, would appeal to a broad audience or they would have omitted them. If it ain't right for you, then why not buy one of the many other quality processor/preamp/tuners that list at or under $1099 with all of the 990's features and presumably good sonics. That long list includes...

Opps. None come to mind. You can spend more and get what you want, you can spend the same and get a used unit that still might not have the DVI switch, lip sync correction and USB, or you can realize that no one unit can please everyone. What doesn't fit your needs seems to be just what many people here need. That's what makes it a ball game.