I would suspect either a setup issue or a defective preamp. There is no way it can sound as bad as you are saying unless there is an issue. This is a critically acclaimed pre-amp that is based on the same architecture as the Sherwood P-965 (another critically acclaimed pre-amp) not some cheapo $200 buck receiver. Even if you prefer the sound of the HK, it is not normal to hear such variances in sound out of ANY pre-amp or any decent solid state equipment period. The volume level complaint is even stranger. Is he comparing the HK with built in amplification versus the 990 with an amp? If so what amp is he using? Is the HK just being used as a pre-amp? The amp determines how loud things get not the pre-amp. Another strange thing is putting the HK (a $700 reciever) in the same league or superior to Lexicon and Anthem. HK is a good reciever no doubt but there is NO way it uses the same quality DAC, DSP, etc. in that price range. There is NO way it has amplification comparable to dedicated amps. At most it can sound as good as the pre-amps. You either are very sonically used to the sound from your HK, there is a problem with your setup, or you have a defective unit.