I acknowledge DOUG's and GONK's impressions as noted above. Just wondering if anyone else has similar experience.

In short I think that the 970 does not sound as clean and open as the 990 or even my old Crown SL2 preamps. I did the testing using only BYPASS and 7.1 Direct and analog outputs from various sources, because the purpose for this pre/pro is NOT in a "surround" room....so I need no processing. I know maybe it's overkill.

Input (pun not-intended laugh
Thanks
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Living Room:
5.1 Surround and 4channel inline room
990/7700/6-KEF-107s/LFM1 x 2/ SMS Awaiting Trinnov
Millenium dts decoder;Digital Director
Players: Tascam CD01U/SonyCX455 x 3/DV955/BDP83
Old Sony 60" SXRD TV
Zone 2 (also liv-Room: listening to music while Mrs watches TV): Crown SL2 preamp/D40 Amp/Stax Headphones



My "Man-cave":
4 channel-only inline room. No TV (thank heaven)!!!
990/755/4-KEF 107s
Tascam CD01U/dts decoder/digital director
Alesis 16x4x2 mixer
Recorders Alesis HD24/ML9600/Crown CX844s/SonyDAT/Tascam DA38
Ham Radio Shack (KB1STH) ICOM/Yaesu/Drakes x 3