Hello everyone!

The announcement of the new Model 997 has everyone pretty excited; even I'm considering one.

However, while I understand this new technology influences the performance of the "in-concert" aspect of a surround sound, speaker setup, does it actually affect sound quality, does it improve the musicality of the processor?

Most old farts like myself are accustomed to two-channel stereo and for us, two-channel performance, for music, is as important as surround sound; does the Model 997 improve on this feature?

Also, it's my understanding that, in general, only high end, high priced processors have the algorithms that concentrate on surround musical performance, outside of Dolby labs. What are the chances that the Model 997 will incorporate similar algorithms?

Thanks,

John

I agree with you're saying.
I started about 15 years ago with a Kenwood Receiver and Infinity bookshelf speakers.
Every few years I try to upgrade a piece or two if I can afford it.
With my current setup (990, 7500, B&W 804S/HTM3S) I still listen to 2ch CDs about 60-75% of the time.
So I want to make sure the 997 does an excellent job with 2ch music (and hope its better than the 990 in this area).
It should also have a "bypass" mode, like the 990, to bypass any EQ/Calibration functions.
When I went from the 950 to the 990, I noticed a difference in 2ch and 5.1 sound quality.
I hope differences in the 997 are good changes and do not color the sound when the EQ/Calibration is applied.

Yes! Dare to ask!

The 990 created a resurgence in stereo music listening for me. It was such a huge improvement over my previous name brand receiver I now use my system for music far more than for HT. I'm another voice that wants to make sure the new 997 maintains or improves upon the 990's two-channel capabilities.

One way for the 997 to have better (in my opinion) 2ch playback is for it to incorporate balance XLR analog inputs for use with higher-end SACD players an DACs.
In doing so, you would probably also want to use a Bypass mode, but maybe add the sub crossover as well.
For direct coax digital input from a CD player, have a better quality "upsample" mode that fixes the upper-frequency harshness that occurs with the 990.

I would like to know which DAC chips are used by the 997? Will there be two or one sub out? Can you set custom settings and store them?


Liz

All that is listed is "Dual TI 32 bit".
But which model?

I also don't see a spec for left/right XLR inputs for CD/SACD players.

The "Dual TI 32 bit" aren't the DAC's - they're the DSP. We don't know what DAC's are being used yet (at least as far as I've seen).