Receiver/AMP Advice for DM603S3/LCR600 speakers

[Chicagohonda]

Hello -

I am new to this board and new to the world of mid-level audiophile systems. I am hoping for some sound advice on a receiver/amp purchase as my Yamaha RV-1105 finally gave out after 9 years of use.

I originally purchased B&W's Mini-Theater system and was not happy with it for music (fine for movies). I have since purchased new mains and a new center channel. My intended speaker setup is as follows (done on a limited-budget). I listen to music/movies on a 60/40 split and my family room is 17x16 ft in size.

1. Mains - B&W DM603S3
2. Center - B&W LCR600
3. Rears - B&W M1 Mini Theater Speakers (left over from Mini Theater package).
4. Subwoofer - B&W AS2 (left over from Mini Theater package).

I am considering the following solutions (trying to stay under $2000):

1. Rotel RSX-1057 + RB-1070 for the fronts. Will run 5.1 and use two remaining channels to power speakers in another room.
2. Rotel RSX-1067 -
3. Denon 3806 or 4306
3. Arcam AVR-280 or AVR-300
4. Yamaha RXV-2700

Further, should the M1 rear speakers and AS2 subwoofer serve their purpose or should I plan on replacing them at some point.

Thanks in advance for input and further comments are appreciated.
Cheers!

[rick c]

I also have the 603s3's,lcr 600 center but def.tec surrounds powered by rotel rsx1056.either rotel in my opinion would be great with your setup.Dont know anything about your sub.The arcam i understand are very good also.

[Nolan B]

1067 gets my vote.

[PewterTA]

After having Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer, and now Rotel... Rotel gets my vote. Especially when it comes to B&W speakers.

Not talking about the higher end Classe, McIntosh, Krell, etc...

[Clepto]

If you can hold off a few months, you might be able to pick up the s3 speakers cheaper as they get discounted to make room for the s4...

[hifiguymi]

If you could live without the second zone for a little while, look at the new RSX-1058 when it ships next month. I know it doesn't have as much power as the RSX-1067 at a similar price, but it will have HDMI, four zones of audio and a new surround sound processor. You could add the RB-1070 down the road. Just a thought.

rick c --- The AS2 is the same thing as the ASW600. It's in a box that matches the look of the M1, VM1, LM1, etc. and the controls are on the top of the cabinet. The driver and amp are the same.

Eric

[Chicagohonda]

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for their input. I purchased the DM603S3's about 6 months ago, so unfortunately, I will not be able to take advantage of the discount with the S4's come out.

However, I will take a look at the RSX-1058 as a probable option. Does anyone know when the specs would be placed on Rotel's site?

[hifiguymi]

However, I will take a look at the RSX-1058 as a probable option. Does anyone know when the specs would be placed on Rotel's site?

They don't put things up on their web site until they ship. They still haven't put the RB-1072 up and it's been shipping for three weeks now. Is there a specific question you had about it? We have some info, but it's the same stuff you can find on the web.

Eric

[Chicagohonda]

Hi Eric - I think after looking at people's replies, I have definately decided on going with one of the Rotel receiver/amp solutions. Once Rotel releases the specs for the 1058, I will do my best to compare them and make some kind of informed decision.

Once question that you or someone may be able to address is that I am not sure how much amplification power I really need for my speaker setup. Would the 1057's and 1058's 75w/channel be plenty? Or, will I probably need to eventually add a 2-channel amp for the fronts to make the 603S3's perform.

Further, someone suggested the 1067 - was that simply because it offers the 100w per channel and would drive the front speakers better and negate the need to add an additional 2-channel amp?

Thanks.

[hifiguymi]

The RSX-1067 will sound better than the RSX-1057/8 from the amplifier end because it has more power and yes it has all 7 amps built in. With all 7 amps you may not feel the need to upgrade that soon (but you will upgrade, we all do).

The DM603's do sound great with the RSX-1057 (I have sold that combo a few times), but it will not play as loud as the RSX-1067 or with the RB-1070. The amplifiers, and chassis for that matter, for the RSX-1058 will be the same as the RSX-1057. You should be able to get an idea of what the RSX-1058 will sound like by listening to the RSX-1075 now.

The RSX-1058 will have a brand new processor that is supposed to be better than what is in the current receivers so that will be an advantage for it with a path to upgrade to the RB-1070 in the future. I will try to post any info I get on the RSX-1058 as soon as I get it. Best of luck.

Eric

[scanido]

If your considering the RSX-1067, a better option would be the RSX-1057 + an RB1070 or possibly an RB-1080. For roughly the same price you can get HDMI switching from RSX-1057 + more power to the front mains.

[hifiguymi]

The RSX-1057 is a great receiver, but the HDMI switching is limited to two inputs (the RSX-1058 has four), doesn't support audio, or have scaling from any other input like the RSX-1058 will do. For a long term solution, and better resale when it comes time to upgrade, the RSX-1058 might be a better option for Chicagohonda. The RSX-1058 will have enough power for his speakers in a room that size and it will give him a better upgrade path in the future in the $2000.00 price range.

Eric

[Chicagohonda]

Purchased RSX-1057 + RB-1070 + RDV-1060

Thanks to everyone for their input. This weekend, I purchased the RSX-1057 + RB-1070 combination and it sounds great. I cannot believe the difference coming from my Yamaha RX-V1105 receiver!

I also picked up a 'lightly' demoed RDV-1060 DVD Player for $299 and have two questions (did not have a DVD player and my CD player has seen its better days):

1. Would I be better to run the audio to the receiver using the using the 5.1 Analog Audio or use a digital coaxial connection? I did intially use the digital coaxial connection and it sounds great for both DVD's. Further, it is a huge improvement in sound over my old CD player.

2. Does anyone know anything good or bad about this player. I could not find alot of comments on it ... probably because it has been discontinued. If there is something that I should be wary of, I can always take it back. Should this player be sufficient for CD's. The majority of my music listening comes from my Ipod running through my receiver and I will use the player more for DVD's.

Cheers!

[rick c]

I would run both the dig. connection as well as the 5.1 analog.

[Chicagohonda]

Why would you run both connections for audio?

Why would you run both the digital and analog connections for audio? Is there times you would to run one connection over the other?

[hifiguymi]

Why would you run both the digital and analog connections for audio? Is there times you would to run one connection over the other?

The 5.1 analog connections would be for DVD-Audio discs. You cannot get the 5.1 high resolution audio from a DVD-Audio disc thru the digital connections. It would also allow you to bypass the D/A converters in the receiver if you wanted. You may like the sound of the RDV-1060's DAC's playing CD's more the the RSX-1057's DAC's. Lastly, you need to have a pair of stereo analog cables for the second zone if that is going to be your CD player.

Eric