Need help in selecting Rotel equipment

[Bob U]

Please help me select a Rotel system. Here are some pertinent facts: I
• have 4 ohm Paradigm 9se MkII front speakers; 8 ohm Paradigm Mini MKII for the rear;
• need Zone 2 for two kitchen speakers (same/different source; don't want to add extra amp for these);
• need to run the four livingroom speakers for the kids for DVDs, but I
• use my present equipment for listening to CDs (classical, Broadway, jazz, Sinatra, etc);
• need phono input (too many LPs in the house, too);
• prefer not to upgrade audio cabinet (maximum depth around 15 inches);
• livingroom is 14' x 16' x 7-1/2' and opens on two contiguous sides to the dining room (12' x 13' ) by a 6 ft wide archway and to the den (11' x 12') by a 5 ft wide archway;
• can budget between $1000-$2000.
I have an Onkyo TX-906 receiver and thought about only adding an amp to run the front speakers better, but the Onkyo has only pre-outs for center and rear speakers, none for the fronts. Offer any advice you want. I've spent too much time researching and all I get is more and more confused with all the possibilities. Thanks.

[Aussie Geoff]

Bob,

Take a look at the RSX-1067 - it meets all your critria except the Phono Input (no Rotel multichannel recievers have this any more). You can add a small ($100 or so) phono pre-amp to one of the line level inputs of the RXX-1067 and you're done...

You could get the RSX-1056 - but this won't drive the second zone at the same time as the first zone as it only has 5 amplifiers...

Geoff

[JBall]

1067

I bought the 1067 and love it, i second the above opinion. I am planning on two kitchen spekaers next month

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd say the 1067 is your best bet as well. Radio Shack makes a nice little phono pre amp called the Little Rat that actually gets solid reviews and its only $50 I think. You an obviously spend more if you want to thought

[Bob U]

Geoff, JBall, Andrew,

thanks for the input on the 1067. It's much appreciated. BTW, would getting the 1056 along with the 1080 be another option? Could you offer opinions why or why not to go this route?

Bob

[Eiffel]

Bob,

I haven't checked the dimensions of the RSX-1067, but the depth of your rack may be an issue (my 1055 is fairly deep, especially when allowing room for fairly rigid cables in the back).

A 1056/1080 combination is certainly a very good choice, and the one I would pick, as the 1080 will give better results when listening to stereo... It's also probably a more 'future proof solution' as later on you may want to upgrade the 1056 and keep the 1080, which would be cheaper than replacing your 1067.

Regarding low cost phono solutions, I have a NAD PP-2 which is a reasonable solution (paid GBP 50 for it, and probably sounds better than the ratshack option)

[Bob U]

Eiffel,

I checked the owner's manual for both the 1067 and the 1056. Both would be too deep for my audio cabinet (max. 15 inches). The former is listed at 16.81 inches; the latter at 17.40 inches. So, the plot thickens and the price rises. I guess I'll need to consider an audio rack, too. Any suggestions? At least, I can check into the open ones.

Thanks for the info on the NAD PP-2. I'll consider it.

[JDH]

Eiffel,

I checked the owner's manual for both the 1067 and the 1056. Both would be too deep for my audio cabinet (max. 15 inches). The former is listed at 16.81 inches; the latter at 17.40 inches. So, the plot thickens and the price rises. I guess I'll need to consider an audio rack, too. Any suggestions? At least, I can check into the open ones.

Thanks for the info on the NAD PP-2. I'll consider it.

Most half decent AV receivers these days are over 15in deep, the only Rotel option I can think of is the RSP-1066 or RSP-1068 + dedicated 5ch + 2ch or other brand 7ch poweramp. Only problem I see is that your budget of $1000 to $2000 will be exceeded. I still think the Rotel RB-1080 is a good building block for any system, especially if 2ch music is the main driver for the upgrade.

[gd]

Here is a selection of phono pre's at several price points:

http://www.needledoctor.com/s.nl/c.ACCT106601/sc.2/category.401/.f

Among those listed, Lehman, Sumiko, & Creek are considered good budget performers.

I've got the Parasound PPH-100, an overachiever at $120.

Rotel makes one too, if you want to 'keep it in the family', but I've never seen reviews or any feedback, even right here on the Rotel forum.

Happy hunting.