Since in over 30 years I have never been able to hear a difference between any (functioning as designed) preamp passing through a straight stereo signal from source to amp, I'm really interested in knowing all about this "musicality" of the 990 that's apparently got everyone so excited - given that I'm planning to buy a 997.

Are you folks saying that my 950 in stereo mode (bypass or otherwise) is going to sound like dog meat in comparison? And if so just how would you actually characterize / quantify the difference?

Jeff Mackwood