Just read a glowing review of the 999ES but there's now a big black mark against it (in my book anyway).  Bass Management on SACD (and on DD/DTS for that matter - not that I'd the player do decode this) is limited to one crossover setting of 120Hz!  What were they thinking of?  This is way to high - the standard (if there is one) is 80Hz - above this bass starts getting directional.

So I've crossed it off my wish list and replaced it with the Denon 2900.

Matt.