Hello All:
I got a nice 6-page color booklet about the Rotel RSP-1098 from the dealer and after leafing through it, I have a few questions about the 1098.
Bass Management for Multi-Channel Inputs: I was wondering if the RSP-1098 offers something similar to the Anthem AVM 20 in this department. The latter offers the capability to digitize the multi-channel analog inputs and perform digital-domain bass management. The Anthem uses A/D converters from AKM and the A/D stage runs at 24bits/96kHz. The Rotels also uses the A/D converters from AKM (though I am not sure about the model). Is this mode necessary at all? I am not up to date with the feature set in the latest DVD-A & SACD players. If they have started featuring bass management at the source itself, then, of course, this feature in the processor is irrelevant.
Balanced Outputs: This is something lacking in the RSP-1098. All pre-amplifiers in the $3000 price range (Anthem AVM20, B&K Ref50 and even the $1999, Integra DTC 9.4) offer this. However, what I have read about balanced outputs in a pre-amp is that unless the entire circuitry of the processor is balanced, then providing just the balanced outputs/inputs is just a gimmick. What does it mean for the "entire circuitry to be balanced" in a processor? Also, with the distance between the power-amp and the pre-amp not likely to exceed more than a few feet in most instances, I wonder if need for balanced outputs is needed at all.
Hardware Upgradeability: Looking at the innards of the RSP-1098 in the booklet, the circuitry is built a la PCs with a bunch of cards plugging into the motherboard. Is each processing capability in the RSP-1098 (such as DTS, Dolby Digital decoding etc.) separated into an individual card as in some very high end models? Could we just plug in a new card for any future hardware upgrades?
Thanks for any feedback/answres,
Viji
I got a nice 6-page color booklet about the Rotel RSP-1098 from the dealer and after leafing through it, I have a few questions about the 1098.
Bass Management for Multi-Channel Inputs: I was wondering if the RSP-1098 offers something similar to the Anthem AVM 20 in this department. The latter offers the capability to digitize the multi-channel analog inputs and perform digital-domain bass management. The Anthem uses A/D converters from AKM and the A/D stage runs at 24bits/96kHz. The Rotels also uses the A/D converters from AKM (though I am not sure about the model). Is this mode necessary at all? I am not up to date with the feature set in the latest DVD-A & SACD players. If they have started featuring bass management at the source itself, then, of course, this feature in the processor is irrelevant.
Balanced Outputs: This is something lacking in the RSP-1098. All pre-amplifiers in the $3000 price range (Anthem AVM20, B&K Ref50 and even the $1999, Integra DTC 9.4) offer this. However, what I have read about balanced outputs in a pre-amp is that unless the entire circuitry of the processor is balanced, then providing just the balanced outputs/inputs is just a gimmick. What does it mean for the "entire circuitry to be balanced" in a processor? Also, with the distance between the power-amp and the pre-amp not likely to exceed more than a few feet in most instances, I wonder if need for balanced outputs is needed at all.
Hardware Upgradeability: Looking at the innards of the RSP-1098 in the booklet, the circuitry is built a la PCs with a bunch of cards plugging into the motherboard. Is each processing capability in the RSP-1098 (such as DTS, Dolby Digital decoding etc.) separated into an individual card as in some very high end models? Could we just plug in a new card for any future hardware upgrades?
Thanks for any feedback/answres,
Viji
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