I concur that something is defective. I haven't had more than a couple of hours to listen to my 990 which is why I haven't posted a review but from what I've heard so far there is no way Pythagore's unit is working correctly. I switched from a Lexicon DC-1 to the 990 and there's no comparison (no surprise since the lex was 10 or more year old technology). I run digital out from a Denon 3910 to a DEQX PDC2.6 to a 3 way Dynaudio system of my own design and construction for stereo music (I use Anthem and Acurus Amps). The system is capable of very high quality sound. I highly recommend the DEQX but being 2-channel is doesn't cut it for HT. When I fed CD digital into the 990 and then routed it into the analog of the DEQX there wasn't a great deal of difference to be heard. The bass and midrange on the 990 are tight, authoritative and contolled. The higher frequencies sound excellent but have an ever so slight masking of clarity and transparency compared to the Denon-DEQX direct comparison--but not by much. And for a lot less $$$. The 990 is a lot closer to high end processors than it is an HK receiver. Pythagore needs to have his unit exchanged or serviced unless something is just plain wrong with the set up. Pythagore's observations about levels suggest something may in fact be wrong with the unit. Nobody but nobody can afford to build electronics without making a few duds. High end suppliers catch these in house by testing before shipping while mass marketers use consumers for QC. At the price, the 990 is amazing but there will be some returns. Sorry that Pythagore was the first to report less than desired results. When he gets a fully functional unit he will grow to love the 990. Especially for movies and TV where it excels.

My congratulations to all you Outlaws for keeping it civil. I hate flaming forums. Pythagore especially is to be commended for keeping his cool in a time of crisis.