Rotel Preamps

[miner]

My current setup is as follows:
Rotel RC-1070 pre
Rotel RB-1070 amp
Rotel RCC-1055 changer
B&W Nautilus 804 full range
B&W ASW800 sub

My question is will I hear a sonic difference by upgrading to the Rotel RC-1090 pre or would I be better off upgrading the amp? Currently, I seldom take amp past the 12 o'clock position on the volume dial.

[Aussie Geoff]

Miner,

My money would be on the Amp first and then next year wait for Rotels new "statement" pre-amp wich is seriosly better than the RC-1090...''

The right amp (and you need to listen to a few) will make your B&W 804s sing..

Geoff

[miner]

Geoff,
Can you personally recommend some US models to listen to? Thanks.

[Aussie Geoff]

Miner,

I like a range (all quite different sounding)

Krell KVA-2250
Classe CA-2200
Nuforce Ref 9
Bel Canto Evo 4i (bridged as 2 channel)
Halcro MC20
Rotel RB-1090

and (I haven't personally heard) the Rotel RMB-1077

Enjoy - take the same very good CDs with you..

Geoff

[gianni]

Geoff,

Any idea at all on details for this new "statement" Rotel pre-amp?

[Aussie Geoff]

Gianni,

Any idea at all on details for this new "statement" Rotel pre-amp?

Target price in the US $2000 range (could be a little more)
Good enough to complement their new digital amplifiers (RB-1091 and 1092)
High end componentry
Intended to be competative with $4000 to $5000 pre-amps...
First half of 2006 (but with Rotel you never know they often slip dates to get the sound "just right"..)

Geoff

[gianni]

Gianni,

Target price in the US $2000 range (could be a little more)
Good enough to complement their new digital amplifiers (RB-1091 and 1092)
High end componentry
Intended to be competative with $4000 to $5000 pre-amps...
First half of 2006 (but with Rotel you never know they often slip dates to get the sound "just right"..)

Geoff

Geoff,

Thanks for the info. Sounds like something to look forward to. I'm thinking about some two channel gear to go along with my current HT/Music setup.
Might be worth holding off to see how good this pre-amp will be.

[miket]

I have a question about using more than one preamp in a pseudo HT system. Suppose you have an rc1070, rb1070 and a multi-channel dvd player like the rdv1050. Using two large fronts and a sub you listen 80% to 2.1 stereo. You get upgraditis and buy the new preamp and an rb1092 but retain the older pre and final to make a 4.1ch music system, controlling independently the volume between front and back via the two preamps and inserting speaker sizez, distances, missing centre etc via the dvd player in order to enjoy dvds in surround and sending all bass to the fronts+sub setting fronts to large in the dvd player. Assuming you only have one video source you don't need an AV amp/processor as such.
Has anyone tried this? It may be a litte pain as regards adjusting the volumes independently but would it be an interesting option for someone who wants surround sound via upgrading but not at the expense of reduced 2ch performance like you may get in multi-channel AV amps/processors?
I agree that from the start it makes more sense to stick the classical AV route but for someone like me who already has a pre and pro and then buys another pair maybe it's an interesting possiblity?

thanks for any comments .... miket