benqsun,

I had a Byrston pre-amp and 4b amp, dating back to the mid 80's. I recently had my old DQ10's rebuilt, but couldn't justify, afford another Bryston arrangement, especially not for surround. Instead, I purchased a used Anthem A5 amp and married it to a 990.

I just finished listening to an FM, in bypass, presentation of a Tchaikovsky piano concerto and experienced it just as you're describing your listening experience above: cool and analytical. The presentation is, without doubt, cleaner, but also brighter, somewhat flat and lifeless; mind you, it was recorded in 58; nevertheless, I'm beginning to wonder if the 990 is not also at fault. Unfortunately, I have no other pre/pro to compare it with, save for my memories of the old system.

Yesterday I read a review of the 990, compared also to an expensive Mark Levinson pre/pro, I believe and the reviewer said there was very little sonic difference. Another review I read this morning compared the 990 to the AVM20/30 and again said the 990 was 90% of the Anthem (not worth the additional expense).

Like myself, I think your only alternative is try something else, perhaps other than your NAD. The other problem is also that if you listen to one particular setup long enough, it becomes your paradigm, the sound signature becomes the measuring stick of everything else you listen to; at least, this has been my experience. Before I had the Bryston, I had an amp of half the power and so the sound was much brighter; it took a while to get used to the warm sounding Bryston and now to this new arrangement.

Not sure if this helps, but this is where I’m at and so I know where you’re coming from.

John