I am not sure this is the right forum to bring up this subject but since I am using the RSP-1098 I just want to know other people's experiences...
The RSP-1098 is my first true venture into separates...before I was using a Denon receiver as a Pre-Amp and a Carver 705 THX 5 Channel power amp. My front speakers are Vandersteen 2CE (paid only $800 for a used pair). Now since upgrading the preamp to the RSP-1098 its DAC is such a much higher quality that allows me to hear differences in equipments that I did not notice before.
I decided to try out the new Outlaw 7100 (100x7 channels) power amp given its bang-for-the-buck. Since it is a brand new model, costing twice as the Carver ($799 vs. $399 - I picked up the Carver as a store demo at Circuit City 3 years ago), I would expect the Outlaw to be much superior to the good-old Carver.
Boy was I wrong. First of all, through the RSP-1098, the power amps sound noticeably different. The Carver has a deeper sound stage, a more sense of air (brighter perhaps?) - a good match to the Vandy 2CE which is not known to be bright sounding. The Outlaw 7100 sounds slightly more forward, a tad less airy (or less bright?), but little more precision in localization of instruments. Given that the Outlaw 7100 is more expensive and already has several positive reviews, I was expecting to like it more, but somehow I just like the cheaper, older Carver sound better. Perhaps it is how well each amp interact with the speakers?
I would like to hear other people's experience in choosing power amps. I came to the conclusion that it is impossible to test a poweramp in the store unless that particular store has the exact same preamp and speaker setup as home.
Eventually I do hope to try out the Rotel 1075 though... : )
Rob
The RSP-1098 is my first true venture into separates...before I was using a Denon receiver as a Pre-Amp and a Carver 705 THX 5 Channel power amp. My front speakers are Vandersteen 2CE (paid only $800 for a used pair). Now since upgrading the preamp to the RSP-1098 its DAC is such a much higher quality that allows me to hear differences in equipments that I did not notice before.
I decided to try out the new Outlaw 7100 (100x7 channels) power amp given its bang-for-the-buck. Since it is a brand new model, costing twice as the Carver ($799 vs. $399 - I picked up the Carver as a store demo at Circuit City 3 years ago), I would expect the Outlaw to be much superior to the good-old Carver.
Boy was I wrong. First of all, through the RSP-1098, the power amps sound noticeably different. The Carver has a deeper sound stage, a more sense of air (brighter perhaps?) - a good match to the Vandy 2CE which is not known to be bright sounding. The Outlaw 7100 sounds slightly more forward, a tad less airy (or less bright?), but little more precision in localization of instruments. Given that the Outlaw 7100 is more expensive and already has several positive reviews, I was expecting to like it more, but somehow I just like the cheaper, older Carver sound better. Perhaps it is how well each amp interact with the speakers?
I would like to hear other people's experience in choosing power amps. I came to the conclusion that it is impossible to test a poweramp in the store unless that particular store has the exact same preamp and speaker setup as home.
Eventually I do hope to try out the Rotel 1075 though... : )
Rob
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