Advice for my new system

[Francesco]

Hello,
I'm planning to buy a new system with Rotel-only electronics:
- RC 1090
- RB 1080
- RDC 1072
- RT 1080

I have two doubts:
1) Not sure about the speakers (B&W 703 or Sonus Faber Grand Piano)
2) I've read a few posts that mention 'hum' or 'buzz' as a recurrent problem in Rotel pre/amplifiers, when playing at very low volume. Is this true?

Thank you for your advice,

Francesco

[jim777]

I listened to B&W 703 on a RC-1070 and RB-1070 with the RCD-1072 and it was no good, but no good at all. It is surprising, but the little RA-1062 sounded alot better than the RC1070/RB1070. But when I tried 703 and 1072 on better amplification, the 703 came to life. IMHO critics on the 703 must come from people who didn't try them on good amps; they are a bit fussy I guess. The cables/amp,etc must be well matched, but then it's sonic joy It must take good electronics for the 800 series too though. I never heard the other speakers you are considering. For the 703, the RC1090/RA1080 may do the trick, but I got a McIntosh MA6500 with the RCD1072 and the 703's and I'm so happy

[Dallasdave]

I have the 703's, run by 1095 amp and 1068 processer. I enjoy the sound and haven't hear any buzz at low volume. I listen to both 2ch and 5ch, the amp was a perfect match for me. The 703's need a good amp to sound there best.

I also have a 1050 amp (70watts) and ran the 703's just to see the difference, it was like night and day!

[Parsonsk]

I'm curious why you're going with the rc-1080? I'm looking at basically the exact same set up but i've choosen the rb-1080 and the rc-1070, i would think a better amp would make a bigger difference than a better pre, the price works out to be the same. I'm pretty sold on the b&w 703's but when i sat and listened to them in the show room yesterday they lacked in the low end (same old story as everyone else). They were about 4 feet from the wall and when i stood behind or next to them i could really hear the missing bass. When i was in front it was gone??? I wonder if it was due to placement?

As far as the buzz? If i'm laying down that kind of $ then i had better not hear a damn thing.

[jim777]

Parsonsk, I guess you meant the rc-1090 (vs rc-1070).

When I play with the placement my 703's, it seems to be a tradeoff between imaging and bass. You can also change the way you "support" them (spikes, sound anchors, rubber feet...). I think I have it allright now; 1-2 feet from the wall for good bass, on spikes for good stereo imaging.

At 4 feet from the wall, I think that less bass is normal. If the floors or the walls were cement under them, then it's even worse I have cement under the floor and two of the walls and the bass is still ok. You won't have kick-ass subwoofer-like bass but bass-guitar, acoustic bass and all those instruments sound balanced and very natural (with my amp, in my opinion).

BTW Francesco, if you're ready to pay for the rc-1090/rb-1080 combo (and an interconnect), why not also take a look at a good integrated, like the McIntosh MA6500 or other ones that people recommended in htguide... your ears could be surprised

And again, I can't speak for the Sonus Faber's.