I have got some information together on the performance of all these units. It can be found here:

http://processors.dblattman.com/

Hi Doug,

None of the links on the page work.

Thanks for the nice comparison, Doug. That's a lot of work to put together.

Edit: the links seem to be working fine for me...

Which links aren't working from what page Michael? I get all of them fine when I access it. Let me know and I'll double-check it.

Think I know what it is. Use IE. The links aren't working with Firefox. Don't have time to fix today, but it will definately work with IE Internet Explorer.

I think I got it now. I came up with a little extra time. You may have to hold down the shift key and hit refresh so it will pull a new copy of the files from the server. Sorry!

Doug, great review!! You are right on. After my bad experience with Denon I got a Yammie 2500 for a 90 day test period. It's a great receiver but I also highly prefer the 990 over it.
The biggest issue I had was that the 2500 was WAY underpowered. Like you said, Yamaha claims 130 X 7 but that is way off. Comparing the 2500 and my Adcom @ 125 X 5, the Yamaha is more like 65 X 5, and 30 X 2.
Just my .02 cents!

I still think the 2500 is a great receiver, and had I not heard the 990 would still be happy with it. It does lack some ooomph though.

Doug I enjoyed your review of the 990 I think I will be getting one at the first of the year. Nice Work

Allen

Doug917

I didn't notice it in your review, but does the 990 pass blacker than black?


Thanks,

Charlie

I didn't get out the Digital Video Essentials, but I'm am assuming from the awesome black levels it did. I will try to test with DVE in the next several days to confirm.

Doug,

How would you rate the Yamaha as a pre-only (i.e., compared to the 970/990)? The reason I am asking this is I have a 2-ch amp (and would get a 3-ch amp for surround) and use the Yamaha as a pre-only or route the front l/r to my 2-ch amp use the yamaha amp section for the other 3-ch ...

From what I have read so far, Yamaha could do this job quite well. Do you feel this setup could give the 990 a run for its money?

-Ravi

Doug's comparison was based on the Yamaha acting as a pre-amp. He runs a pair of Outlaw Model 755 amps, which he's had for a while now. He has a good conclusions page that sums up his experience with all three as pre-amps.

I just caught your responses on AVSForum ... that gives me the (quick) answers I was looking for! Thanks.

Ravi,

The 2500 does work rather well as a pre/pro. However the 970 will give you better sound for music and the 990 will give you better sound for both movies and music in my opinion.

Yep, that is what I gathered after I re-read the comparison and also went through the AVSForum discussion! Thanks for the follow-up!!