Sniper

Have you tried connecting the laptop to the 990 via an RCA "Y" from the headphone jack of the laptop or does the laptop have stereo analog jacks out? The problem sounds like it may be the USB connection.
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Outlaw 990/7700
SVS 20-39 PC +
SVS MTS-01 towers, MCS-01 center, MBS-01 surrounds
Behringer A500
Samsung PN58A650, DirecTV HR-20 700
Sony CDP-545, Phillips CDR 765
Oppo BDP-93, Panasonic DMR E515
Technics SL-DL5
Squeezebox 3
Remote Harmony One