I bought my 990 back when it was almost full price when the 7700 was about to make it's appearance). I must say though, that I would not have foregone the enjoyment that the 990 has given me over the last couple of years for the incremental difference in price. In fact, I still find that the 990 sounds just as good now as it did before the rumors of a replacement started surfacing. I don't expect to be in the replacement market any time soon.