Quote:
So all of the supporters of this arbitrary magic price minimum (ie $1000) would have to say either one of two things.

1. Sonically there is no advantage of moving from the 950 to the 990 considering they are both good quality.
or
2. That the 950 is the equal of a $99 piece of cr*p.

I guess I just want to know what side you fall on?
I would believe that #1 is more accurate. I don't own either at the moment, and I am still on the fence as to if I will try and get a used 950 or a brand new 990. There are processing enhancements in the 990 which make a difference to some ears (Newer design (everyone makes and learns from mistakes) , PCM upsampling/ newer, more capable DACs / different processing algorithms etc) Mind you the "difference" may simply be that-- a difference. Not better, not worse, just different... right up until someone decides they like one sound better than the other. The great thing about a Market economy, is that no one has to spend their money on something they don't want, and as long as they feel good about it, why rain on their parade? We can't even assume those who spend big $$$ buy for the sonics- there are other factors like ergonomics, processing modes, inputs/outputs etc.. Maybe they just buy to see the looks of envy on their friends faces. I don't personally think that is a good use of my money, but others may derive significant satisfaction from it, and well, they are spending their money, not mine.

One thing I am sure of, even a $99 Reciever will sound better than my completely dead, no sound through it at all, Rotel.