1090 vs 1080 in HT

[KEN KAZ]

ok, you convinced me...i am getting the 1068.

I am going to get the 1068, the 1080 and the 1095.

I have two questions:

1. I have another grand in the budget.....should i upgrade the pre to the 1098 or the amp to the 1090?

2. If i upgrade the main amp, tha twill make the system unballanced inso far as power goes (380w x2, and 200w x5) is that a problem?

thanks

kaz

[Andrew Pratt]

Ken which speakers are you running, how many of them, and is DVD-A or SACD a priority? In my system for my tastes a 1090,1098 and 1075 would be the ideal combo but I value my 2 channel side more then the HT/multi channel...besides the 1075 is ample for surround duty anyway. You simply don't need more then 120 watts for effects channels in a HT (although there are exceptions of course)

[jlee]

I agree with Andrew about the rear rarely needing more than 120, but the center channel is the most important in HT and should be given high priority if not the most priority for amplification for HT. I would personally go 1080 and 1095 before going 1075 and 1090... as for going 1098 instead of 1068 vs. 1090 vs. 1080... that's a tough decision that depends on a lot of factors.. you'll have to weigh all the little pros and cons and decide for yourself. The imbalance of power is not a problem though.

[shadow]

Seems to me the real issue is whether the 1098 is audibly superior to the 1068. If it is not substantially better, it would appear that it would be better to go 1068,1080 and 1095. I have no experience with either pre but thats why the other guys in this forum are here!

[Andrew Pratt]

Its not an easy thing to say one way or the other either b/c good power amps are a long term investment where as any pre pro will be feeling old in a few years time. So if you're looking at this as a one time upgrade plan I'd say get the power amps you want now..and might need in the future and "skimp" on the processor for now. That may not be the best short term plan but in the long run you'll be better off.

[KEN KAZ]

i have heard that in the idal world for 5,6,7 channel surround you should have all speakers and all amps IDENTICAL. that is the basis for the question.

i love scad, dvd-a and HT. I can guarantee that there never will be a time when all 7 speakers are not on. In this day, i just dont understand listing to 2 channel audio. (just my hunble opinion, nothing personal if you like that)

Inso far as the speakers go
mains...klipsch chorus II
center...klipsch academy
sides.....klipsch heresy II
backs....klipsch quartets

all vintage klipsch.

i will never forget the first time i fell in love with high quality audio......i was in the dorm in 87 and my neighbor had a set of heresy IIs being driven by a beautiful nakamichi amp.....(back when nak was something....)

i have been a klipsch quy since then.....I am a bit disapointed in the recent direction of the company though...

[Andrew Pratt]

Ken Klipshe speakers are so efficient that the 1090 would be over kill and then some. Even the 1080 would be a TON of power for those guys so given that I'd say get the 1098 pre amp and go with the 1075's/1080 (or even 1070) for power. I know people always say you can't have too much power (myself incl) but that's only for people running more tradional speakers which yours are not. Where mine require 10 watts to produce "X" volume yours likely only need 2 or there abouts.

[Kevin97225]

I run the Rotel RB-1090 with my Klipsch RF-7 speakers and it might seem like an over-kill, it's not at all when it gives that certain quality to the sound that only high output Amps can give and certainly leaves enough headroom when needed. The the RB-1090 and Klipsch really is a most stunning combo together! When I have family or friends over.... they are quite stunned with the sound it gives and want to know where they can get one just like. I learned this from the great folks on the Klipsch forum before I bought the Rotel so I'm very grateful because you have to be very careful to what you can team the Klipsch up with.

[KEN KAZ]

do you only listen to 2 channel or ht? If HT then what amp do you use for those speakers?

kaz

[Kevin97225]

Only two-chn

Yes, I only listhen to two channel for music, and even with movies.
I'm not into HT at all. Just call me one of the rare ones that still prefer two-channel over all the popular HT.

[DrJRapp]

I run the Rotel RB-1090 with my Klipsch RF-7 speakers and it might seem like an over-kill, it's not at all when it gives that certain quality to the sound that only high output Amps can give and certainly leaves enough headroom when needed. The the RB-1090 and Klipsch really is a most stunning combo together! When I have family or friends over.... they are quite stunned with the sound it gives and want to know where they can get one just like. I learned this from the great folks on the Klipsch forum before I bought the Rotel so I'm very grateful because you have to be very careful to what you can team the Klipsch up with.

I too run Klipsch 7 series all around in a huge room and while I agree with Kevin in theory, I find MY RB 1080/RMB 1075 to be a most stunning combo together! When I have family or friends over ...they are quite stunned with the sound it gives and want me to turn it down before their ears bleed. :lol: More is better only to a point, after which more is just a waste, or at least diminishing returns have long since set in. The 1080/1095 combo should be much more than ample forever. I say forever, because Klipsch Heritage users don't tend to upgrade speakers often, if ever, and then if they do it is to other Klipsch Heritage.

If it were me, I would spend part of the extra money on the 1098 over the 1068. Although they sound similar, there is still a slight edge in SQ to the 1098.