Rotel - afterall the best value

[mrkiko]

Hi Everybody

I started this thread on the B&W club, but since i'd like to ask some questions about Rotel, i think it's better to go on here.
I would appreciate if you guys with Rotel experience would give me some advice on how to move on.

I currently have a pair of B&W N804 fronts, a NHTM2 and a pair of N805 surrounds.

My source is a Marantz DV8400 (that is really great by the way!)
My amplification is a modest Marantz SR7400 reciever

I am trying now to replace the reciever. I was considering many options, making some auditions with N804 speakers + other amps.
At the end i think i will go with Rotel. This is why:

• I like more the Parasound C2 + Parasound A52, but they are about 12.000 Euro. Too much for me.

• I like more also the new Classé CA5200 + Classe SSP300. Also this is very expensive, maybe even more than the Parasound combo. I knew and now i had the chance to hear: the Classé is better than the Rotel way, but costs 3 times more.

• I listened to a Primare amp, costs more than Rotel 1079, my sales man said is very good gear, but i have to confess: I liked more the sound of the Rotel.

• I would like to give a listen to the Bryston gear, but it is not availble here for a live demo.

THEN I listened to a 1075 (first with a 1068 , then simply as a final for the Marantz reciever) and yes, i was very satisfied with the result. It's a substantial improvement of my current solution, and it is within my budget.
Later i listened (only for a short time) to a 1095. Also this was OK, the only problem here is that i was unable to hear a difference between the 1075 and the 1095, so i was asking myself why to spend 1000 more?

Anyways, now i am decided to go with Rotel, but before making the final step, i would like to ask which of the following 3 options would you choose?

1) Replace my Marantz with a 1068 + 1075 combo. Clean unexpensive solution.

2) Keep my Marantz as Pre/Pro and use it to drive the surrounds, while use the 1075 to bi-amp the N804s and drive the center. Cheep solution, giving the most to the front.

3) Replace my Marantz with a 1068 + 1095. More expensive, but less subject to the upgrade-bug, you'll never know, maybe in some conditions the 1095 performes better even to my ears.

4) Don't do anything, keep my marantz, and continue the search or wait untill i double my budget and go for Parasound or Classé. (but I wouldn't like to upgrade my speakers then...)

Thanks by now for your answers!

[Aussie Geoff]

Hi,

I vote for 3 if you can afford it - once your ears attune to the magnificent sound of the 804s you will get better / tighter bass / mid bass with the 1095 and bi-wiring than with the 1075...

Geoff

[htsteve]

Rotel Options

mrkiko,

I have B&W N804's , HTM1 and SCM8's in the back. They are run by a 1068/1095 combo from Rotel. I'm quite please with this setup. I believe this is good bang for the buck. Also, with the 1095, the Nautili shouldn't starve for power. I vote option 3. I also agree with Aussie Goeff on wiring. Biwiring or shotgunning the 804's will also help and it's not an overly expensive upgrade. Hope this helps.

[Andrew Pratt]

If music is important to you (likely given those speakers!) I'd say the 1068 paired with either the 1075 or 1095 would be my choice. The 1095 is a stunning amp as well but you might consider the 1075/1080 combo instead as you can do it in stages and it'll give you an extra pair of channels for the rear or zone two etc.

[ds22030]

Like Andrew said, I would seriously consider 1080 if you listen to a lot of music. I dont know the 804 but 1075 had difficulty driving my floor standers accurately for bass....

[ekkoville]

I have a 1095 and the two channel sound is fantastic, much more control in low end. Lots of reserve power. There is another thread recently where Bing did some testing between the 1080 and 1095. I thought he made mention of a wider, seamless, and non-directional soundstage with the 1095. I would do some seriouse listening with the two side by side, you find your answer easier that way.

Erik

[mrkiko]

I do listen to a lot of 2ch music, but i like also SACD very much. I hate "virtual" things though, so if the source was composed / mixed for 5channes ok, else i prefear 2ch stereo. I find that SACD is superior as sound, so when an album is available in this format i go for it.
I took my decision:
I order the 1068 + 1095 next week :P
Thanks for your help!