I agree with jcmccorm that the 990's RCA pre-amp outputs are almost certainly unbalanced. The XLR's may be truly balanced outputs, but the vast majority of us who are going to be interested in the 990 are going to pair it up with unbalanced amps and it makes the most sense for the 990's RCA's to be independent of any balancing circuits that might be included.

Let's hope so, but sometimes what "makes sense" is not what happens in the consumer electronics arena where marketing department mentality frequently overrides design decisions that would be less "sexy", but would ultimately sound better.

Holy Crap! I must be absolutely deaf and my system must sound like total doodoo.
1.) HTPS-7000 w/Dual Balanced Isolation Power Transformers
2.) Krell HTS 7.1 w/direct coupled circuitry utilizing balanced outputs
3.)BlueJeansCables Balanced ICs
4.) ATI 3007 true differential balance design amp from input to output

It is no wonder I prefer tubed and analog sources.... Sounds like I should get rid of this crap and buy a new 990/790 combo to pick up those even order harmonics.

Soundhound...

Is the same true in Amps as well as pre-amps?...more so or less so?

Should I look for an unbalanced amp to go with the 990 (assuming it is unbalanced, and I get one)?

Thanks

Even though I was being facetious, there was a point there. You can bench race specs, distortion numbers et. al. til your blue in the face BUT in the end, its your ears that tell you what is acceptable and what is not.

Jeff

That could be a problem as the rumor I heard is that the new 790 is based on the ATI 2007 .

I would expect that there would be those who disagree with what I've been saying - especially those who happen to own equipment that uses balanced designs.

My conclusions are not based on any one system or systems. They are based on 34 years of working in audio in many capacities from circuit design to media creation. They are based on literally hundreds of blind and double blind listening tests. They are based on working with both balanced and unbalanced designs, simple and complex designs and everything in-between.

To your specific example, I can only suggest the not very practical test of replacing all your signal electronics with completely unbalanced designs which use simpler circuits, and then tell me if you hear a difference.

I am actually looking at the Gemstone Blue Diamond, or similar.

If I decide to go separates, I want a power amp I won't need to trade up for a long time.

The 990, OTOH, looks like a killer "starter" pre-pro for now. Though if it really sounds great, I will at least keep it until newer formats are standardized.

It certainly has most of the features I want now, and no one can complain about the price...At least know one I know...

Everything I've written is above all based on real-world listening. I only provide the theoritical background to back up and clarify what I say.

Power amps are actually more likely to be balanced from input-to-output. Personally, I'd stay away from those designs.