You can have a "really good" 2-ch setup at this time without spending what is in my view the absurd price being asked for the 990. I never listen to 2-channel music only on front speakers, since extracting the natural surround ambience mixed into the front channels(there was no place else to put it)and sending it to the surrounds where it belongs significantly increases the realism and enjoyment of music listening.
One of the upper level Denon or Onkyo units rated at around 130-140 watts into 8 ohms measures a little over 200 watts into 4 ohms and should be plenty. The prices would be similar to or less than the 990 alone.
