Thinking of getting a 990, because several posts indicate a better sound compared to the 970.
Right now I'm using the very expensive Marantz SR-9600 receiver, which works fine but I find the sound a bit too warm and fat.
Now I want to try and build my own 7.1 final, using Coldamp Class D 200W amp modules and switch mode power supplies, and use the 990 as preamp.
Anyone compared the 990 stereo / surround sound to Arcam, Marantz or some other brand?
What do you think are the main characteristic of bass, mids and treble performance here?

Thanks guys!
Barend

barend wrote

Thinking of getting a 990, because several posts indicate a better sound compared to the 970.

I thought the 990 sounded much warmer and fuller than the 970. This was with electrostatic speakers.
And I was not at all interested in video for this particular installation.

Have not compared. Concerning performance of bass-mid-treble: I found it sounded great. And I was surprised that I didn't need external EQ

Thanks nfaguys,
Like you I'm not too interested in Auto-EQ and the like, they cannot do anything me and my sound meter cannot do...and the sophisticated room EQ inside the Marantz is so far off...
Also the video switching is not too important for me, as I use a DVDO HD+ scaler, but the two DVI inputs will come in handy as the HD+ has only one DVI input.
Am I right in supposing the setup of the 990 is not overlaid on the DVI output image. so I have to switch to component to see the setup?
Barend

You are right, barend - you'll need access to one of the analog video monitor outputs to see the setup menu (composite, s-video, or component).

Well, the 990 has been ordered, it should take several weeks to get here (Holland) via-via.
The only real issue I could find was the omission of 5.1 "direct" bass management, so I feel my ICBM (great thing!) will come in handy after all...
I was especially heartened by a brief review I read by somebody preferring the sound greatly to his Marantz SR-8500, which I owned before I bought the SR-9600.
These are both quite powerful and the sound is fine- I loved the "fat" warmness at first but gradually I came to have problems appreciating the syrupy, slightly veiled characteristic.
So I can't wait to try the 990 !
Next step will be to find a suitable 200W p.c. final- would love to have the 1770 but I fear shipping over here by one of my US friends will be too expensive.
Barend