What to Buy: Rotel RSX 1067 or 1075/1068 combo

[basementjack]

Has anyone compared the big Rotel 1067 receiver to the 1068 preamp - paired with a 1075 power amp?

I'm trying to decide between:

RSX1067- $2100 - 7ch amp, tuner
RSP1068/1075 - $2500 - 5ch amp, no tuner

the Preamp features are pretty much the same (both use same firmware)

Any significant sonic differences between the two?

Thanks in advance!

- Jack

[soundhound]

Seperates..........

[htsteve]

If space and budget allow (dont forget good interconnects), I'd definitely go separates. I have the 1068 and I like it very much. I've almost always founds that separates are better than receivers. Hope this helps.

[eelco74]

I also own a 1068 and I cannot tell you how pleased I am. The only problem is that you need more space.....

You might also consider finding a nice used RB-985MKII. It is not that different from the 1075 and has the 10 series looks. Pair it with a 1068 and a RB-1080 or 1070. This will sounds very sweet indeed.

[wernert]

Definitely go for seperates which also makes upgrading at a later stage a bit more cost effective. You can add a RB1080 power amp for full 7.1 sound.

Good luck

[Azeke]

I would definitely go separates, I was one who used receivers for a period of time, however since I have gone separates, I have not looked back.

I don't know many individuals who have gone separates and then went back to receivers, just something to think about.

Regards,

Azeke

[Scherr]

If you need 7 channels, how about the 1056 + 1075? A compromise and about the same price as the 1067.

Scott

[Kirby]

I am debating the same thing. The advantage of the receiver is all channels @ 100 watts vs 2 channels at 130 and the other 5 @ 75 watts. Has anybody got this receiver and how does it compare to the 1056?

[rick c]

There is a long debate somewhere around here ref comparing the rsx1056w/1075 and its seperate counterparts.I believe the concensus was most thought that the 1056 w/amp was not only cheaper but basically very competetive in comparison.I cant remember where it is but you can do a search.As far as the 1067 vs 1056 i think that watts is the only difference,but definately a bigger difference in price.Remember when adding an amp to the receiver your using the rec. as prepro so 1067 or 1056 wont make a difference.(hope i'm right)

[Asterduc]

Hi Basementjack2,
I have been in the same situation 'bout few months ago. I looked the web and this forum and decided to go for the RSX-1056. Not that I wanted to save on money (I come from Accuphase) but to me it didn't make sense to buy a more expensive solution to receive the same level of sound.

I think it is more important to decide between HT or Music.
If you prefer HT most, then I would go for the RSP1068 and a powerful 5 channel power, like the 1075. I wouldn't prefer high power amps in the same enclosure together with the processor.

If music is your thing, I would defenitely suggest to go for the RSX 1056, that unit gives you best return on investment and does exactly that what you need.. You will have a great unit to start with for only little money. Although not top-performance, HT will still sound great. For a superb stereosound you can look for the best matching power amp, as this will give you THE SOUND. I am now verifying high level amps with the RSX préamp section and I must say, it sounds great. I just listened to an MC2102 McIntosh that was connected with the RSX, tremendously great sound. Will get a test with an RB1080 and 1090 and also some other powerfull high-end amps later.

Either way you go seperates or Receiver, you will not regret it.

[JBall]

1067

I bought the 1067 and am very pleased with it. I am planning on adding two ceiling speakers in my kitchen to balance out sound and not blow out people sitting in my family room. With the 1067 you can configure the 7.1 or a 5.1 with a second zone. In my price comparison, i added this in as a factor. Buying an amp for these two would be another few hundred. You also get a tuner, which is anoth 500 bucks on top of what you listed for pricing. My dealer STRONGLY recommended the 107 and allowed a buy back if not happy. Due to all the reading i did on here, i was scared in not having enough power for my new Nautilus 803's so i added a 1080 to bi-amp the fronts. Basically, If i need more amps i can always add and just use 1067 as processor if need be. It is not stupid purchase. I thought about the 1098 but i needed speakers and everything else too. I can always move 1067 to bedroom later on. Good luck, either way you will enjoy

[basementjack]

Thanks Everyone!

Thanks Everyone for your responses.

I've seen a few posts (Scherr, Kirby, Rick C, Asterduc) on substituting the 1068 pre with a 1056 rec. Has anyone done an A/B comparison they could write about? (sound comparison, I realize they both have the same inputs/functionality)

JBall - My dealer let me check out a 1065 - this thing is fantastic, yet I want the features of the new stuff. I have been STRONGLY tempted by the 1067. Did you audition the 1067 vs any other combinations (ie a 1056/1075 or a 1068/1095) If so please share your thoughts.


I was originally considering:
1068+1075 $2500
or the
1067 $2100

However after reading some posts and talking with rotel, I'm considering
1056 + 1075 $2200
Any thoughts on this combination?

[Andrew Pratt]

The 1056/1075 combo is very popular as you get the tuner some extra channels for a second zone and the sound quality is virtually the same as the 1068/1075 combo.

[soundhound]

Basementjack2, about 1 1/2 months ago I went to my dealer, did a direct real time head to with the 1056 and 1068. I went there completely opened minded knowing if I bought the 1056 I would get the tuner and 5 channels of amplification, hey this is a plus. I purchased the 1068. It had better presentation of the music than the 1056 did. The 1056 sounded very nice, it just did not do as "well" as the 1068 in analog. Someone here on the forum had put it best b-4, demo the 1056 solo, and you will buy it. Compare it to the 1068 and you will buy it. I am about 50% music, 50% movies and as far as movies go it didn't matter to me, but for 2 channel analog, it mattered enough to spend the extra and get less hardware. All in all it's your'e hard earned money and I honestly dont believe you will regret either one, Bob

[basementjack]

Thanks Soundhound -

Do you mind giving me your opinion on my situation?

A few weeks ago I bought a 1065 receiver as a stop gap.
I like it, but I miss the newer features so I'm taking it back on Tuesday.

I've already shelled out $1500 (plus tax) on the 1065.
It will cost me
$600 more to upgrade to the 1067 receiver
$700 more to upgrade to a 1056 receiver and a 1075 amp
$1000 more to upgrade to a 1068 pre and a 1075 amp
$1500 more to upgrade to a 1068 pre, a 1075 amp and a tuner

usage is: 80% Xbox, 15% movies, 5% music (though I love music - just no time right now - two little kids are keeping me busy playing xbox
I need 5 channels of amplification for my surround setup.
I really, really want the RDS tuner.
I will for sure replace whatever I am using as a preamp with something new as new features are added (like new dolby and DTS formats to support blue ray) As such I don't see the 1068 as a long term building block - more of a one to two year steping stone (same goes for the 1056)

Bob - given the above, plus your knowledge of the sonic differences, which path would you take?

- Thanks
Jack

[BlazeMaster]

wow, that's some expensive equipment for mainly X-box. If you have the extra $1000, then just get that 1068+1075. At least you won't sit there and wonder all the time what the 1068+1075 will sound like while I'm blasting that guy off the bridge on Halo2...

[basementjack]

Please don't get the impression that there is an abundance of money to be spent here, just becuse it's been used for the xbox.

Yeah It is probably overkill for the xbox - a few small children have sucked away any and all free time for music for the short term, but I will get back to that someday. Same goes for movies. The xbox has prevailed because it's a family activity.

I am every bit as concerned as the next guy in getting the best bang for the buck!

[soundhound]

Jack, that's a good question in your'e situation. Andrew said it best long ago, power amps are timeless. The processing capabilities are forever evolving, where as you buy one of their power amps and you can plan on having it for years and years to come. If you are looking to start a "build process" , I would go seperates and see what the future holds. As far as specific application I may be inclined to grab the 1056/1075. I can attest to the fact that Rotel gear hold it's value VERY well. If you were to grab a 1056/1075, see where things are at in a couple of years, you could then pedal the 1056 and replace it with their new state of the art pre/pro, and add peripherals as needed. Half the fun of this hobby is the pain staking decision making, but hey, no pain, no gain.....

[basementjack]

Thanks Everyone

Thanks again to everyone who replied!

I settled in on a 1056 and a 1075. It ended up costing me 650 more than last years 1065 and I really like the features (the ability to use the OSD on Component video, the better bass management and the S-Video to Component scaling are all great - basically I never have to switch inputs on my projector again!)

Just for kicks I'm going to run the 1056 alone first and connect in the 1075 after I'm accustomed to the sound

I have some initial comments on it, but in order to make them usefull, I'll start another thread devoted strictly to my experiences with it.

Thanks again for everyone's advice!

- Jack