Has anyone tried Earthquake cinenova/ B&W 803s or similar?

[stewfoo]

I am just frustrated with my rotel gear in general. It just seems harsh to me. Is the Earthquake cinenova line a good match for 803s and Htm3s??? Is it an upgrade from a rotel 1095 in terms of sound quality? Is it just raw power that the CINENOVA offers?
All available help would be appreciated.

[stewfoo]

bump

[aphexist]

I am just frustrated with my rotel gear in general. It just seems harsh to me. Is the Earthquake cinenova line a good match for 803s and Htm3s??? Is it an upgrade from a rotel 1095 in terms of sound quality? Is it just raw power that the CINENOVA offers?
All available help would be appreciated.

I've used a Cinenova Grande 3 with my front soundstage (804, HTM1) to great results. More powerful than the 1095, which might correllate to better sound quality if you listen at high volumes.

[PewterTA]

By harsh, do you mean too bright, as in the high's from it get to you? If that's the case I don't think the Cinnenova is where you want to go as I think it's even brighter than the rotel gear. There's no "rounding off" of the highs like rotel does, so it gives you a full blast in your face approach. That's more my style, so I do like the Cinnenova with the 803s and it will easily power them that's for sure.

I'm just not sure it's what you're looking for. I'm thinking more Classe or McIntosh would do you better (if I have it correct what you don't like about the Rotel).

[aphexist]

I am just frustrated with my rotel gear in general. It just seems harsh to me.

I think if you are experiencing "harshness," you should probably be blaming your speakers rather than the amp. An aluminum tweeter might take a little getting warming up to if you are used to a silk or composite dome.

[sikoniko]

I have the cinnenova grande 5. The only thing I do not like about it is the darn size. It is huge and there is no place to put it.

other than that, I have used it to power my old N804's and my new N802's with a high level of happiness. To me, the sound was very detailed and full. I read on the spot where I guy is biamping N800's with 2 cinnenova's and is very happy.

[RobP]

Stewfoo,

How is your room treatment?

When I first setup my N803's powered by Rotel I thought the sound was a little bright, but I knew that my room treatment was not in order. After installing my treatment the harshness went away and I was left with a smooth detailed upper end.

[sikoniko]

I used to have a Rotel rsx 1055 pushing my 804's. Now I realise that is underpowering the speakers, but let me continue. I have also heard other Rotels hooked up to b&w 800 series speakers, so I can say that the rotel sound is still the rotel sound.

for me, the differences in the characteristics of the rotel sound vs the cinnenova sound are tremondous. The cinnenova was more detailed in every aspect.

The rotel did work great for my 805's, and I would say that it made a great combination.

I personally will never buy rotel again, as I bought into their marketing and feel that they lied to me. My 1055 was marketed as upgrade proof. While they did make some upgrades, it did get discontinued, and is not truely upgrade proof. That was one of the key selling points when I purchased it.

[RobP]

I just looked at the specs on that amp, Wow that things is a power beast! 300w per channel.

Sikoniko, what are you using for surrounds?

[sikoniko]

I just recently ordered a pair of NuForce Ref9's for the 802's, so the cinnenova will power the center and 4 surrounds. Before I had a 75w x 2 hca parasound amp powering the backs and the cinnenova power the other 5.

But, currently, nothing is powering my speakers. I just bought a house 2 weeks ago and got new floors installed and had to paint. I will finish moving this week. Get married on saturday and go on a honeymoon, then have to convert the garage into my theater room, as the 2 side walls are already insulated and the room is air-conditioned, before I can setup my system again.

needless to say, I am going through SERIOUS withdrawals!

[springer49]

Congratulations! Sikoniko
When you get back and put everything back together I would love to hear what you think about the NuFoce 9's. I am currently running a Cinenova 3 channel for my 803D's and have 802D's on order. WHile I am completely happy with the cinenova I am curious as to how the Nufoce 9's compare

[sikoniko]

would be glad to share my findings. My dealer said they ship to him tomorrow and he would overnight it to me. It is looking like I won't be getting them until I get back, which doesnt matter since my system won't be together anyways.

[Adz]

I have a CineNova Grande 5 running my 4 surround sound speakers. Does the job with lots of power, but is huge. It replaced a Rotel 1095.

[stewfoo]

Adz,
Was there improvement over the 1095??
The funny thing is that I can probably hide it.... its so ugly.

[Adz]

Its hard to tell with surrounds but I thought so, probably attributable to the additional power (100W+). BUT, what I also gained was an amp that didn't humm/buzz or blow its fuses. Just a reliable solid performer with oodles and globs of power.

[tdiciple]

It seemed that this brand is not widely known. How is this brand comparing with parasound halo A21? Anybody?

[Eliav]

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I am just frustrated with my rotel gear in general. It just seems harsh to me. Is the Earthquake cinenova line a good match for 803s and Htm3s??? Is it an upgrade from a rotel 1095 in terms of sound quality? Is it just raw power that the CINENOVA offers?
All available help would be appreciated.

Hi
I have the same gear (1095 + 803s) and I feel the same, rotel sounds harsh with louder volumes ( to my ears). I did not want to jump into conclusions and blame any parts of my gear before "treating" my HT room, so i did it, and installed acoustic traps all over, the sound concept changed, much better imaging and bass, more importantly much less echo which used to be terrible, but still - the sound in higher volumes is harsh indeed, especially with certain CD's. I previously auditioned the 802d with a 650w Mcintosh - sweet soft sound to my ears even at extremely louder volumes.
Even though the overall sound of a system is the result of all components working in concert and room acoustics, I still FEEL that Rotel's amp. is a key player in this issue.
I am in the process of finding a different amp for my stereo listening (classe vs Krell, bryston?)
Cheers
Eliav