I've been using a Denon AVR-2803 as my pre/pro connected to a Krell KAV-500 amp for some time now. In a little while, I'll be going straight separates, and I'm considering the 990. What will I be losing or gaining in terms of fidelity compared to the Rotel RSP-1068 or Adcom GTP-880? Your thoughts/experiences are more welcome.

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My System
Hitachi 51S700 Rear Proj TV
Denon DVD-2900 II DVD Player
Denon AVR-2803 Receiver (Pre/Pro)
Outlaw ICBM Bass Mgmt System
Krell KAV-500 5Ch Amplifier
SVS 20-39CS (Passive Sub)
Parasound HCA-2003 Amp (1ch used for sub)
Dish DVR-942 (HD/DVR Receiver)
Von Schweikert VR-2000 (L/R Spkrs)
Von Schweikert LCR-20 (Ctr Spkr)
PSB Century 400i (Rear Surr Spkrs)
Outlaw PCA Interconnects (Analog)
Analyst Plus Interconnects (Digital)
Monster M2.2 Speaker Cables

I haven't heard the Adcom, but I have heard the Rotel (a co-worker owns one, and I helped him set it up - the local dealer left him totally unprepared, and the manual is an organizational nightmare). Both my wife and I preferred our old Model 950 to the Rotel sonically (for what it's worth, the Rotel system was using a Rotel amp and B&W Nautilus speakers while we use Outlaw amplification and Paradigm Reference speakers). Considering the upgrade that the 990 presented over the 950, I suspect that a head-to-head comparison between 1068 and 990 would come out in the 990's favor.

gonk,

Thanks for your .02.

I'm in favor of a warmer sound rather than an analytical sound, would the 990 better siut my needs?

Then again, just to keep things fair and in perspective...
Gonk listened to the Rotel in another room with totally different sonic signature.

I would be curious of his impressions both compared in the same room as the room adds the biggest impact to what you ultimately hear.

To me, in MY room, the 990 is neither warm nor analytical, but neutral and the best I've ever heard.

An excellent point, braidkid - my experiences were based on that system (the Rotel pre+amp, B&W speakers, HD cable box and Sony DVD player, and older Meridian CD player in somebody else's house) as compared to my system (at the time an Outlaw 950, Outlaw amps, Paradigm Reference speakers, and an assortment of source components in my den). It would be curious to swap out my 990 for the Rotel in my system to compare the two, although the two hours of re-wiring in my entertainment center that would bookend the test and the time to rip the unit out of Phil's equipment rack make that test unlikely.

My experience with the 990 has also lended itself toward a neutral/transparent nature, which I like. It's probably easiest to select for warm/bright preferences when purchasing speakers, so "colorless" electronics have always been a positive to me.

FWIW, I demo'd a RSP-1066, RSP-1068 and Model 950 in my room and the 950 won HANDS DOWN. Both Rotel units sounded much too bright. I spent days with all these units and ended up keeping the 950. (Then upgraded to 990.) All this through the same Rotel amp and B&W speakers. Granted, it wasn't a double blind test, but the difference was plain enough to my wife and me. (and she really doesn't even care about this stuff... she' a true bass junky)


later,
simp

Gonk, you're right in saying that speakers, cables are responsible for warmth/brightness. As such, I believe that I do get that from my Von Schweikerts. That being so, would lean towards electronics that is neutral. Brightness can sometimes be mistaken for transparency. However, what I certainly don't want from my electronics is that spitty, hard leading edge sound you get from what I term analytical electronics.
If by transparency you mean clean, clear polished hihgs with luster, then I'm for that.


sraber,
That's very encouraging information. Thanks

BTW:Overkast and I (Demus) are one and the same. I registered at work and didn't jot down my password. Sorry for the confusion, if any.

I've heard all 3, albeit on different systems on different occasions. I'd rank them like this:

1. 990 hands down the best
2. Rotel (average)
3. Adcom (disappointing)

That's just from a sitting down with my eyes closed and listening to familiar audio/video tracks standpoint. It pays zero attention to features, though I feel the 990 feature set is pretty strong.

Cheers,

I think it's far more accurate to say that you preferred the Paradigm Reference speakers to B&W Nautilus speakers. The difference in the speakers would totally and thoroughly overwhelm any possible different you'd get from the electronics.

I have both units,the 990 is very analytical,too much maybe for my taste.The 1068 is smoother to my ears and I prefer the sound for music,far from average.With speakers that are laid back 990,with speakers that are forward 1068.Control wise the 1068 wins hands down,much more flexable set up.There's nothing bad about the 990 sound,its all personal taste.I'm still on the fence but leaning.In the 990's favor its very quiet,I do like that.