I dont need a lot of the features in the 990, I like that its new but for 600$ less i can get a 950, my main goal is sound quality
is the 990's alleged better sound worth 600$?

It is better. If it is worth it is a very personal decision. Was my Classe amp worth the money?

The 950 is smaller and easier to use. The 990 does more and may last you longer before you want to replace it.

Some minor nice features: Headphone amp, front panel inputs. Biggest anoyance: no front panel setup display.

I have both in my home right now and am struggling with which one to keep, for the reasons above.

I have both right now as well, used the 990 for two weeks and swapped the 950 back in the other day (990 back in tonight)...no contest, 990 for me.

Better 'ease of use', more features, better sound (IMO), that's what upgrades are for =)

bigal, do you really think it's better ? or is it just a mental thing (wanting to hear $600 worth of better), if you really think it is better, what do you feel is better about it ? i have both in my home now as well, but have a very small defect with the 990, and am returning this one, but am still open to acquiring one again in the future. thanks.

Yeah, those 950's are going like hot cakes on Ebay right now. Zoiks! I decided to replace my 950 with the 990. Man this thing sounds amazing! I'm wow'd every time I turn it on and pipe some music through it....

later,
sraber

Well guys I just pulled the trigger on the 950...the 990's extra features were things I really didnt need, I think an amp effects the sound more than a preamp, the 950 will be my interim preamp, Im sure I'll be one of the 1st to preorder when the Outlaw 1000 preamp hits the scene with features that don't yet exist like HDMI inputs

Ender, congrats on the 950. It is a nice sounding unit. I gotta tell you though -from my experience- the pre has affected the sound in my system more than anything else. Speakers come a close second.

Wow! You mean the only device that actually produce a sound is only "close second"? You kidding right?

That's been my experience. In my system the biggest upgrade I made was to my Sherwood. The Lsis were a huge upgrade also but not as dramatic. You will know when I am kidding.

It probably depends somewhat on what you are upgrading from, but in general I've long subscribed to the reasoning that the speaker is one of the most important links (if not the most important) in the overall chain. Going from one good speaker that you selected because to liked it to another good speaker that you like may not present an earthshattering change, but a poor choice of speakers can have a serious impact on the system.

That was my experience. I had decent speakers to start with . Also , Hun, you will note in my post that I said 'in my experience'. Thanks Gonk. I wish everyone was as tactful as you are.

I would put speakers as the #1 factor in sound. The preamp would probably be second and after all the sources the amp would be a distant last, or maybe just above cables.

Granted it may not always be easy to distinguish the various strenghts and weakness of a system . But if there is a weak link in the chain you are probably going to know it .

Some will reveal themselves more readily than others . If the spks. are crap it is easy to identify them as such . Where as cables may cause more of a headache .

The purpose being that one component compliments the other . If they do not do each other justice then you are not getting the absolute best possible sound you could be getting regardless .

My opinion of the order of importance for decent audio reproduction:

1. ROOM
2. Speakers & positioning
3. Source
4. Preamp
5. Amplifier
6. Cabling
7. Mains power (dedicated line, conditioner, etc.)