My new (refurbished) 990 arrived and I finally hooked it up tonight. I'm in the process of merging my home theater and 2-channel stereo systems into one, so out goes the 6-year-old Onkyo receiver and Atlantic sat/sub set that has served me dutifully... and as long as my expectations in the 2-channel world are met, so too goes the Aragon 24ksp preamp and Rotel RB-980bx amp. A 7500 should be arriving tomorrow assuming the FedEx gods smile upon me.

So I began tonight by removing the Aragon preamp... a really fine piece of electronics with the much revered Penny & Giles potentiometer and clean Krell 'family' design. I've always liked how it sounded, or didn't sound, and while it was a better match with my old Cary 50SL tube amps, the Aragon and Rotel always played nicely together. Most recently I've been running Martin Logan SL3 speakers, having replaced a pair of B&W P6s about a year ago. Come to think of it, the Aragon has been with me longer than any other piece of audio equipment I currently own... just shy of fifteen years. It's the one piece of equipment that I've owned and loved, and have really gotten to know quite well.

This evening I put the 24ksp aside... connected the 990 in its place between my Cary modified CD-50 CD player (analog outs) and the Rotel amp, and began some casual listening evaluations in 'bypass' mode. Comparisons are difficult... perhaps if equipment had feelings, unkind. Do you know the feeling when you kiss someone new for the first time? It was a lot like that... quite nice, but unfamiliar and not exactly what I expected, but completely enchanting in its own right, and though comparisons come to mind, they're difficult to fully express, but hey... it's just electronics. I'm all for personification, but my equipment won't be hurt. Shit, I don't think it can read.

The first huge difference I hear is that the 990 presents a much better defined soundstage. Instruments are in their place and locked there. Broad and true, straight across the room, and stretching well past the boundaries of my speakers, I'm hearing intricacies and detail that I've missed in the past. Further, the 990 is hyper detailed... analytical even. Personifying again for a moment, it's as if the 990 speaks so articulately that it's only now that I'm realizing that my 24ksp had a bit of an accent. In all fairness, I liked that accent... it was sweet and warm, comforting even, but not as careful and clear as this more well spoken lady. Technically speaking, vocal tracks, particularly female ones, don't seem to image quite as strongly. The more I listen, I've begun to consider the possibility that my Aragon preamp lacks a bit of channel separation that I'm now experiencing. What I may have enjoyed as center imaging may have been little more than crosstalk. I feel so deceived.

I think the 990 has found a new home. I'm not sure it's love at first kiss, but I can see the potential in this one... she's got something I like... something not completely familiar, but enchanting and exciting, at least enough for a second date. Perhaps I'll let her sing to me over breakfast.

- Jason