Upgrading with $1500 budget, Rotel 1056 or B&W 600 series

[pinoy_g35]

My current setu-up is Yamaha A/V receiver HTR-5560 and Infiniti Reference 2000 series speakers. I'm not happy anymore with my current set-up and I feel I'm missing something. I have $1500 budget and I want to go to higher end system. Should I start with Rotel 1056 or B&W 600 series?

[Azeke]

I would start with speakers since they set the groundwork for your system.

Are you open for other speaker suggestions?

Regards,

Azeke

[Snap]

g35,
Azeke is right. Take the 1500 and dump it all into speakers! Then in the next few months save up and buy one component at a time. 1500 now days will go a long way to some really great sounding speakers. Phase Tech, Energy, Warfedale, those are my favorites. I am sure that others have thiers.

[aud19]

Just make sure those are the speakers you want to live with for a good few years If you think you may want to go with better speakers eventually, keep saving and/or get the 1056. You may be surprised at how good the Infinity's sound with better processing and amplification behind them too Then later on maybe you can add some even better speakers than the 600's!

[Andrew Pratt]

Go for the new speakers. They'll make the biggest difference in the sound you hear. What local brands have you heard that you like?

[Lex]

Hello, sound check... 1, 2, 1, 2. He said B & W 600 or Rotel. Something wrong with B & W 600?

I'd suggest stepping into the B & W forum here if that's the brand you think you prefer. Get some advice there on which model to choose.

Lex

[aud19]

Hello, sound check... 1, 2, 1, 2. He said B & W 600 or Rotel. Something wrong with B & W 600?

I'd suggest stepping into the B & W forum here if that's the brand you think you prefer. Get some advice there on which model to choose.

Lex

Nothing wrong with them Doug, there's just LOT's of other brands/models that also sound great that he may, or may not, prefer over the B&W's at that price point. Especially considering that 600 series is a good 4-5 years old now, some other companies with more recent models may be able to beat them for bang vs. buck Only way to find out is to go listen to lot's of speakers :yesnod:

[Tha Freak]

Just make sure those are the speakers you want to live with for a good few years If you think you may want to go with better speakers eventually, keep saving and/or get the 1056. You may be surprised at how good the Infinity's sound with better processing and amplification behind them too Then later on maybe you can add some even better speakers than the 600's!

I would go the aud19 way...

since processing ant digital era is technologically changing every day and speakers don't really progress fast in terms of technology...

Get a better receiver...benefit from a newer tehc...save some money for HP and step above the 600 serie, you could start at the 700 serie in 2-3 years :lol:

my 2¢

[pinoy_g35]

thanks guys for the info. i also started to look around and Klipsch RF-7 seems to be good in my price range and a good fit to 1056(eventually). i actually posted the same question to Rotel forum and B&W forum and interestingly, most suggest replacing the speakers... the dealer i went to has (of course) both Rotel and B&W and he told me to replace the A/V component first. i'll wait for replies here and i'll take the majority vote. :banghead:

[aud19]

Is there any way the dealer will let you borrow a couple 600 series speakers and/or a demo 1056? As it doesn't really matter what any of us say/think, what matters is what sounds better for your $$ to your ears

While your at it I also recommend listening to a couple higher-end B&W's and/or other brands models as well

[Clive]

Hi guys. To get some real responses on these specific units, throw it at the guys in the specific forum/s (as you have rightly done) just to get some straight answers.

I believe your mind as been made up. Thanks for starting it here. :T

Good luck!

[Lex]

Well, yes, there is always the lots of speakers out there to listen to strategy, and alternate suggestions are a great idea. Listening to a lot of speakers, the absolute best idea. I just didn't want to discount to heavily what he actually asked about, that's all... We also know from experience that Rotel and B & W are a good match sonically as far as likely his longer range plan of owning both. But as far as knowing the B & W current vs past lines, I am not the guy to know that. I'll trust your judgement on that jason (aud19).

[pinoy_g35]

I found more money under the bed! I can readily spend $4k+ now for both amp AND speakers. i plan to pull the trigger on a 1056 amp and B&W 703s. I plan to use it 50/50 music/movie. I'll just use my current Infinity reference for center channel and surrounds for the meantime. I have a PolkAudio 12" subwoofer. I know, I know... different speakers might not be a good idea but I'm just starting to 'upgrade' my system. It will take me sometime to make all speakers to be B&Ws.

[aud19]

As long as you have a good upgrade plan/path :T I FULLY endorse buying as good of main speakers as you can afford and upgrade the rest later, which it looks like you're doing :T

Later on you can even add a dedicated 2-ch amp for even better stereo performance :P

[Clive]

Let us know how it all turns out :T Looks like you're on the right path. Just switch the rec. to 2ch when listenning to music. If you get into SACD or DVD Audio you're gonna love the multi channel system you're getting for that purpose. Check it out asap.

[eddiem67]

the dealer i went to has (of course) both Rotel and B&W

yeah he would, since they come from the same distributor. Replace speakers first. 1500 can get you a nice pair of mains.

[audioqueso]

Keep in mind that every year receivers change because of new technology. I'd say speakers and then you get the feel of which directions to go with your new speakers. The B&W 600 is great... I love them. Come down to the B&W section to hear all the good things.

[Jeff Aguilar]

Have you considered looking at used speakers? I think that is a great way to go. You can get them at a fraction of the price. I just did a search on Audiogon and there are quite a few pairs of B&W speakers there in the $1,500 price range. They even had a pair of 803's at $1,400 there. I have bought my last couple of sets of speakers from Audiogon with great success. I have found that the nicer the equipment being sold there, the greater the success. Usually the people there love their stereo equipment as much as me! So, they are taken care of.

Jeff Aguilar