Rotel and martin Logan

[wywong]

Hi,
Did anyone out there experienced Rotel separates RSP1068 and RMB1075 with Martin Logan speakers. How are they sound ? is it better or worst than the B&W. I am like to prefer speaker with tight bass and very clear high frequency. The martin Logan speaker I am looking for is the Aeon and also the new non-electrostatic design Mosiac and Fresco. Thanks!!

[BlazeMaster]

haven't seen too many users that has a ML and Rotel combo. Seen more of Rotel mated with B&W, Dynaudio, Klipsch around here.

[wywong]

Hi I am really surprise that no one else out there has Martin Logan speaker. Are they really that bad???

[Kevin P]

MLs are wonderful sounding speakers. But MLs are also very expensive speakers. Thus, you don't see too many of them around here.

MLs are also power hungry, with wild impedance swings. I would recommend a beefier amp, such as the 1095 or 1080, for use with them.

[jzaret]

I guess I should jump in here since I have 2 pairs of ML's since I have a Rotel RB 1090.
A lot of this depends on several variables. How loud do you play your music? How big is the room? What type of music? What kind of "sound" are you looking for? I used to passively bi-amp one set of ML's and my current set this is not possible. This new pair is even harder on an amp than most. The RB 1090 does not have an issue at all.
The RMB 1075 should be ok. It depends on which ML model and are you going to drive all ML's or bridge output?

Just some q's you need to think about. I will be more than happy to discuss this in more depth if you like.

Good Luck

Jeff

[wywong]

Hi I am glad at least I got some feedback. My room is about 12x20. Is looking to set up a HT with Rotel 1068, RMB1075. The ML model I am looking at is the Aeon for fronts, Fresco for center and Vonage for surrounds. Rel will be the sub-woofer. I also like to look at the Mosiac (which is the new one with advance thin film transducer, and does not require power) as the fronts too. I listen to DVD concert music and also CD. The speaker need to sound OK with stereo, and I like solid bass and clear high. Any more feedbcaks???

[mitch57]

You might want to ask Kathy Mason about the Martin Logans. I believe she had them before she switched to the Klipsch line. She also uses the Rotel RB 1090. She talked about how much better she likes the Klipsch then the MLs. Do a search on her and you should be able to find it.

[lvhung]

ML or magnepan have less capblitily in heavy c\oncert music

[jzaret]

wywong,
I do think the speaker combination you describe will work. These will match very well together. I almost bought a Rel sub but bought a ML instead and could not be happier. With ML's you need something that is very fast and not lagging in time. Rel is a good choice also, I have heard others have chosen SVS and Velodyne with ML's and have had very good integration.

My room is actually similar , 14X17 which is in reality about the same square footage. Other considerations are the room itself because it is too a component that will play an important role in the sound.

I would seek out a ML dealer and listen to the setup you are tying to assemble from at at least the speaker standpoint. IF they do not have Rotel try and demo the equipment with a similar product.

Good Luck

Jeff

[wywong]

Hi Jzaret,
What model of the ML speakers you have? Are you happy with the sound and what Rotel equipment you have also. Thanks!!

[jzaret]

wywong,

Both my pairs of ML's are no longer manufactured. I have a pair of Sequel II's that have been replaced 3 times with newer models. They are a great hybrid speaker. The panels were replaced 3 years ago. These were manufactured in 1989 and still sound great. They do require a bit of power to driver them to potential.

My other pair is the CLSiiZ which by many is one of the best speakers ever produced by ML and one of the most accurate speakers ever made. These were discontinued because they were expensive and not selling as much as ML had hoped over a long period of time. These speakers do require an amplifier which is able to handle loads in the 2 ohm range. They will sometimes dip that far down. What makes them unique is that unlike previous and current models these do not have any woofers. They are entirely an electrostaic panel. If you want more information on these speakers you can check them out at the ML owners website that I frequent at http://www.martinloganowners.com.

When I was looking for a new amp I contacted Rotel directly and asked technical support about the RB 1090 and was it able to produce the current necessary to drive my speakers. What I was told is that is the exact reason why they produced this amp so it could drive speakers which require great demands.

I have no complaints about the amp at all. I would have to buy an amp at 3 times the price to maybe hear a difference. I did trade in my Rotel preamp, RC 1070 for a Conrad Johnson tube preamp and that too made a great difference with the ML's. These speakers really do like the tube sound!
I also have a RCD 1072 CD player which is really hard to beat for the money.

I do like Rotel's tech support. I have found them to be responsive everytime I call. They are honest and upfront. I recently was looking to buy the RSP 1066 and wanted to bridge 6 channels in to 3 channels to power my rear ML's and a center. When I told them what I wanted to do they said no. This amp would not be able to handle the load in bridged mode. This kind of honesty is rare and should be applauded.

There are many trade offs everyone has to make to get the sound they want. I have searched and listened to a lot of equipment over 40 years. I believe that Rotel may not be the best but it is also very hard to beat for the price, the sound and the overall quality that you see from most of the equipment on the market. No company can be everything to everybody. Like I said before, there are some pieces they have that one would have to spend many times over to actually hear enough of a difference to make a change.

I hope this helps

Good luck

Jeff :T