My first "hi end" gear was the Carver ct-17 mated with the TFM 25 and the Luxman 4 channel amp. I have Energy reference speakers that can handle 200 watts and Energy EFX speakers. I used it then for 50-50 music and movies. I have to say I loved the warm sound of Carver. Then when DVD's came out, AC-3 came out as well. So I upgraded to the Marantz SR-880 at the time. For music it was a major disappointment and unfortuanted I had commited the sale of my Carver system with regrets. I see many good things here about Outlaw as well as on avsforum. I like to get your opinions on the 990. Do you think it will sound = if not better to the Carver system I once had. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you all.