Rotel 1095 or Parasound A52

[NHT]

I know I might get a lot of biased answers being that Im asking in Club Rotel but here it goes anyways. Hypothetically speaking, if I were to be able to get these to amps at the same prices, which amp will match better with my system?

Im running B&W CDM7NT with Rotel 1098 and Denon 2900. I would love to get a Rotel 1095 to match my 1098 but I cant help but contemplate on the Parasound. I know that the Parasound is rated at 125x5 while the 1095 tops it at 200x5 but does the Parasound have a better sound that will match my speakers better? While Rotel has always been my favorite for quite some time now, I cant help but to think what the A52 holds for performance. I would love to get the big bad A51 but I just cant afford it and the decision would be a no brainer.

If anyone has compared the two please let me know as I am looking to buy very soon. Thanks

[soundhound]

You know what they say about opinions.....If you can and do an in home demo of each please post back as I would be curious to see what your'e results were. Halo appears to have some pretty atimate fans. Thank,s, Bob

[jimmyp58]

Though both you mention are great amps, please also consider the Earthquake CineNova Grande 5. There's a few members here that own it and they absolutely love it.

Jim

[NHT]

You know I have also considered the Earthquake Cinenova but I have not heard too much about this amp. So I would like this to the list. The runners up are the:

1) Rotel 1095
2) Earthquake Cinenova Grande
3) Parasound A52

Please help me make a decision and please dont say the best route is a home demo of all 3 amps because time and money does not allow me to do that.

[DJDREW]

Your best option would be to demo both either in the store or at home. Home would be the best test. Or even better just buy both LOL

[jimmyp58]

sikoniko has the Earthquake amp mated with some B&W speakers. Perhaps PM him for some help.

Jim

[Jeff]

NHT, from what I can see both amps are the same price, both have balanced imputs. The Parasound does have a much better dampening factor than the Rotel and a 10 yr parts warrenty where the Rotel has 5 yrs. THD of the rotel is .03, Parasound is .2.

Myself, I would go with the Rotel. I think the extra power would do your speakers well. It may payoff in the future if you purchase speakers which demand more power (nautilus) I enjoy the look and the size of the Rotel more than Parasound. But that's subjective, but then again, sound is subjective.

Both are good amps. But the Rotel offers 60% more power and an
85% reduction in distortion (.2 x 85% = .03). If you can't preview in
your home, go with Rotel. :T

Jeff

[Andrew Pratt]

Power isn't everything but I do think the Rotel in this case should offer better control over your drivers in those B&W's with the increased power. As for the damping factor anything over 100 is considered gravy so that's not a consideration here.

[NHT]

With all said and done....my question is has anyone here had real world experience with these amps? Youre all saying that I should do a home demo and see which one I like the best but have you guys done this? I just dont have the time and resources to do this and there are no retailers locally that carry the Earthquake Cinenova Grande 5. I know that demo each item at home is the best way but it is for this reason that I write and ask you guys here. For help.

[Aussie Geoff]

NHT,

If you do a search in HT Guide for words like Rotel and Parasound in the same post you will get all sort of opinions (perhaps more than you want!). For example THIS THREAD which became quite heated between the Rotel and the Parasound camps... Equally you will get some great feedback from a search of Rotel and Earthquake...

My 2 cents:

• Parasound A52 is arguably not quite as good value etc as the Rotel RMB-1095 (unless you don't need the power). But it is a great sounding amp..
• Parasound A51 is arguably better than the Rotel RMB-1095 for lots more dollars.
• Earthquake Cinenova Grand 5 is arguably better than the Rotel RMB-1095 and as good as the Parasound A51 and can be had (via some friends in HT Guide) for not too much more than the Rotel making it the value choice
• All are very good amps though -we are talking subtleties in sound but quite different levels of power and current drive. You would mostly notice the differences with either very current hungry speakers OR very high quality stereo listening
• We have members that have listened to two or more of these and strongly prefer their choices (Rotel, Parasound and Earthquake).
• A lot will depend on comparative prices - we have members who have contacts that (in the USA) can get you any of these at a really great price.
• If I was in the USA, I think my money would be on the Earthquake Cinenova 5... as the best value and there are few speakers that it can't drive. However in Aussie it's clearly the Rotels as the others are just silly prices here. Money no object - then the Parasound A52.

Geoff

[NHT]

Thanks aussieGeoff. Again, you have given me great detailed advice. I have been looking into the Earthquake Grande 5 for the future proof factor in case I decide to upgrade to the Nautilus line in the future. Any members selling their Earthquake amps or know anywhere to get one for about $1700? tHANKS

[Aussie Geoff]

NHT,

I believe we have at least 2 members, jimmy58 and bhuskins who can get Earthquake etc at a good price - try PMing them.

Geoff

[Aussie Geoff]

NHT,

I just checked the recommended retail on the Earthquake - new is it US $4,499 so at $1700 you’d be talking 37% of the rec retail or a 63% discount!... Even a (say) 30% discount which is common for a one year old unit would only reduce you to about $3150 - half price is $2,250 - So I'd suspect that if you could find one at all for $1,700 it would be a old (probably a little beaten up) unit (quality amps tend to be 5 years old before they get that much cheaper!)... If which case IMO you'd be better off with a new Rotel 1095 or the Parasound - warrantee etc... And (well we are in club Rotel) so my money would be on the Rotel... That lists at $1999 so $1700 would be a 15% discount - which is (just) achievable...

Food for thought

Geoff

[PewterTA]

You should be able to get a good New Earthquake CineNova 5 for around 2300ish... The 4499 MSRP is really really overpriced for the amp. I would definitely agree talking with Jimmy!

[DanR]

Always, always trust your own ears. Do the smart thing and demo both if you can. My personal opinion is that Rotel sounds better than Parasound, especially with B&W's. My dealer has both and I auditioned both before I bought my RB-1090 and felt it was a no brainer. Lots of complaints with the new Halo Series as well.

[srb]

If you are considering buying used, I noticed there is currently an Earthquake Cinenova Grande 5 listed on Audiogon.

3 months old, 10/10 condition with original crate. $1800 including shipping (not bad since shipping weight is quoted at 140 lbs!)

Link: http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls....ult&1108309546

[will1066]

Sheez, that thing is big. Guy has no feedback, though.

[PewterTA]

It's big, but not really THAT big, it's honestly about the same size as a lot of high powered amps I've seen.

I agree that it does suck that the guy has no feedback, so it's definitely a big risk.

[Fishy]

At least it shouldnt get damaged in that box.

Fish

[jimmyp58]

I will be careful to be diplomatically polite seeing that this is a Rotel forum as I don't want to steal the forum/thread. Also, that I sell these amps brand new.

That being said, one must be VERY careful in buying Earthquake amps on A'Gon. There has been significant fraud with this amp given it's MSRP over the last year. Every so often these killer deals pop up and truly the deal is too good to be true. Earthquake vigorously investigates these things and it would only be a matter of time before they see this and act on it. If the seller does NOT receive permission from Earthquake prior to selling it to someone (info needed to provide Earthquake would include new owner's name, address, etc.) on eBay, A'Gon, et.al., they will NOT honor the warranty (even though it is a 10 year transferable warranty --- it is conditional and this is the condition). It is a shame that as with everything, a few bad apples ruined it for everyone else, but they are attemtping to regain the integrity of their dealer network which had been hampered significantly because of this fraud. I have not visited A'Gon to look at this posting but the fact the seller has no history and that it is only 3 months old and they are selling it for this price would have me very wary about it's integrity.

If someone wanted to pounce on this, I'd definitely do a three-way call with Earthquake prior to sending any money, PayPal, etc. to verify everything is legit. If so, you'd have an early X-Mas....that's for certain.

Jim

[LikeCoiledSteel]

B&W CDM7NT

Hi NHT,
I too have the CDM7NT's. I like them a lot. I think that they really like extra power fed to them to really open up. I was using Outlaw M200 monoblocks (1 on each speaker) and it sounded pretty good. But then I bought a used Krell Kav 250A at 250 watts, and the 7's really opened up nice. Better bottom end, tighter and controlled bass. I have also heard that Classe amps sound really nice with these speakers.

I have also heard good results with the Earthquake, just make sure you do not buy a lemon. Good luck.
Jeremy

[SpOoNmAn]

Always, always trust your own ears. Do the smart thing and demo both if you can. My personal opinion is that Rotel sounds better than Parasound, especially with B&W's. My dealer has both and I auditioned both before I bought my RB-1090 and felt it was a no brainer. Lots of complaints with the new Halo Series as well.

Complaints about Halo series?!?!

I think not :E

and lots of them?

:M

:B

I had the 1075 and brought the A52 into the mix, and for my system, the Halo was better. I dont see the point of comparing the A52 to a rotel amp thats almost outputting double the power. The A51(which I just got, selling the A52 on ebay right now) is just sick! The upgrade bug bit(as usual) and it had to be done.

ok, I got bored and had to reply to something, carry on :T

[Aussie Geoff]

Spoonman,

ok, I got bored and had to reply to something, carry on

Welcome back from the void...

Geoff

[NHT]

well guys...after some researching and reading reviews, I made the jump and got an unbelievable deal on a brand new silver Cinenova Grande 5. Hope I made a good choice. This was the most cost effective upgrade that I jump to but the way I see it, if it doesnt work out I can just put it on Audiogon and try again. I guess thats the evil of this hobby. So long Rotel 1095.....

[PewterTA]

NHT, let us know how you like it, I think I'll probably jump up to that at some point here down the road as well and would like your info on what you think of it.

[TimRawson]

I'd go with the 1095. I liked the Rotel sound at 100-125 watts the power will make the clarity and bass control even better.

I had the A52. Nice sounding amp, but my inefficient speakers just were not happy in the bass region when listening to some 2 channel. IN fact, the A23 same power sounded better than the A52 running my speakers, current drive? I've found my speakers like 200 watts or more and similarly, could not afford the A51 (2205 considered?, except that 80's look)

Currently using bryston amps and love them. But I could only afford used Brystons, but heck long warranty so no worries and stable proven design.

I know in a another forum here at Htguide there's info about a promo for Earthquake Cinenova - it could be was

DOH.... didn't see all the thread.

Curious to see what you think of the Cinenova. Would consider, but only my mains are power pigs and don't need as much juice for my center and surrounds.