which (Rotel) amp is good enough for driving HTM-1?

[tmt]

I post this already in the Rotel forum, since it's about powering a B&W speaker I'm gonna try it in here.

I recently did some major upgrades to my stereo/HT system.
I upgraded my main (crappy) speakers to B&W N802 and the center to a HTM-1.
The 802s are powered by a Classe CA-401 which kicks *ss in stereo mode, but the rest of the speakers are still connected to my Denon 3300. That´s fine for the B&W 602s and LCR6 in the rear, but the HTM-1 needs something far more powerfull! (it actually sounds worse than the LCR6 it's replacing...)

I was thinking about using a RB-1080 or RB-1070 in bi-amp mode for my HTM-1 and leaving the surround speakers on the Denon.

Unless the 602s and LCR6 would benefit greatly from a Rotel amplifier (my Denon is rated 105Watts/channel@8ohms but it´s more like 80), in that case I could use an RMB-1095 (I'd think an RMB-1075 would be inadecuate for the HTM-1?), that bi-amps the HTM-1 and powers the rear speakers.

But I´ve read on this forum that the RB-1080 is a better sounding amp than the RB-1075 or RMB-1095

Recommendations of Rotel users are greatly appriciated!

[sikoniko]

I owned a rotel 1055 which is a receiver. It has 75w x 5 amp integrated with it. I was not happy with Rotel and would never purchase them again. My local dealers dropped Rotel because of the problems they had.

I personally would stay away.

I am using a cinne nova grande 5 to power my speakers. it has 300W x 5. They also make a 3 channel, so you could use it to power center, SR and SL. I think it is around $1500 for the grande 3. I could refer you to someone if you are interested.

[ti33er]

If you have to use ROTEL, the RB-1080 ought to be up for the job ...I had a RMB-1075 (120Wpc) powering 805's but didn't like the sound at all (my first post to this forum was all because of that!)

[RobP]

Classe' now has a three channel amplifier that would be perfect the model number is CA-3200, It may be a little less power at 200 watts per channel, but those are quality watts! here are the specs-------------
(balanced inputs) CA-3200
voltage gain 29.1dB
bandwidth 155kHz (-3dB)
22kHz (-0.1dB)
phase < -10° (22kHz)
sensitivity 1.4Vrms
power/channel (continuous)
(120VAC line, 1kHz signal regulated to 1% THD + noise into resistive load, all channels driven)
load (resistive)
8Ω 200W
4Ω 390W
THD + noise (unweighted, 10Hz - 500kHz bandwidth, 1Vrms/1kHz input)
load (resistive)
none 0.002%
8Ω 0.003%
4Ω 0.005%
noise FFT noise . oor peaks all below –95dBV
(with terminated inputs)
S/N ratio (relative to 1kHz sine wave full level output into 8Ω)
108dB

height
depth
(excluding
connectors)
width gross
weight net
weight
8.75” (222 mm) 18.5” (470 mm) 17.5” (445 mm) 102 lbs (46 kg) 90 lbs (41 kg)
rated power consumption
672W

[Jeff]

Frankly, I would not look to Rotel for your center channel amp. You already have a taste of what the Nautilus series will do when connected to your Classe amp

I own a Rotel 1080. It's ok but the HTM1 can offer so much more. I currently have my N802 and HTM1 connected to a Proceed Amp 3. So all
front speakers have the same power. Rotel doesn't have the detail which the HTM1 can deliver. I would look for a Classe mono block.

It's my understanding Rotel will have a new 500wpc mono block on the market sometime in the fall. It should be in the $1,500 price range. I would be very interested in how that performs. It might be worth the wait given the low price tag.

[tmt]

I forgot to mention that the dealer I bought my HTM-1 from has a demo CAV-500 for sale for $5900 (it's a discontinued model, 5x 250W/channel@8 ohms). It has exactly the same design as my CA-401, which would look cool. 8)
But for mainly powering my center speaker it's damn expensive! That's why I was looking into Rotel to power the center speaker.

[Stevebez]

I may be biased but I have both the 1075 & 1080 ... and 803D's

I am first to admit the 1080 running the 803D's is under spec... but have to say I love the combo. 803D's still loosening up though and become more revealing each day especially mid and lower end - high end top notch from day1. So cannot say with 100% certainty just how the 1080 will end up performing here. Also I seldom have chance to get to high SPL's.

1075 in bi-amped is not good for HTM1 ... you better off with a 1080 bi-amped and running HTM1 solo if you have to choose between the two. Although have to say 1075 is the more reliable. Older 1080's are prone to blow internal fuses ... but thankfully thats all.

I for one like Rotel kit ... had a look at some Classe and while all the specs design etc stacks up so do their prices.

Thought about upgrading to them (mmm some would say it would not be an upgrade ... :unsure: ) but I am happy enough with my combo. Rotel / B&W pairing is pretty popular with the Rotel guys.... mmm where are they on this forum ???

Rgds Steve.