rmb1075 enough power for paradigm studio 100s?

[blues651]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and rotel seperates . My problem is that at lower volumes the 100s do not sound detailed like they do at mid to higher volumes where they really open up. Would a 1090 solve this problem or would a new pre-amp (1068) or something else serve me better as my next purchase.We're 75% music, 25% h/t, h/t side sounds awesom! Current setup: Onkyo sr700 as pre, Onkyo cp802 dvd-a, Rotel rmb1075, studio 100s front,cc570 center, monitor7s rears. Origanally bought the 1075 to drive the monitor7s , then 2 weeks later bought the 3 studios.

[Aussie Geoff]

Blue,

It's hard to answer this definitively because there are so many unknowns here.. So some thoughts for you:

All speakers sound less detailed (to varying extents at lower volumes). This is a combination of the ears hearing characteristics which looses the ability to finely distinguish sounds at lower volumes and for many speakers electromechanical properties such as the voice coil - which is wound of wire and becomes non linear with very low movements...

But...

Amplifiers make a big difference to how detailed a speaker sounds and the Studio 100s you have love high current amplifiers... I know they will sound better on a RB-1090 if you can afford one..

But...

The detail has to be in the source and you haven't said what pre-amp and CD player you have (if its a DVD player is almost certainly got a lot less fine detail than a good CD player)

But...

Cables can also make a difference, with good cables between source and amp and amp and speaker all adding to the detail and low level resolution...

That aside - - enjoy the RB-1090...

Hope this helps

Geoff

[blues651]

Thanks Geoff, I think I'll start with new cables since mine are rather on the cheap side. Most of the source is digital music off of the satellite, and I do wonder what kind of improvement i could expect with a seperate pre-amp over my intergrated serving as the pre-amp? I do hope some paradigm owners chime in here as I think they could really help.

[soundhound]

I had demoed an RSP-1068, with an RB-1080 through 100's, not sure of rev. and the sound was incredible. Had I not been so invested in the speaks I have I certainly would have considered the Paradigm. I bought the 1068. I am also 80% music, ht just because. The 1075 is a great amp, is the 1090 healthier, you bet. As Geoff says, its a tough call as to which 1st. If it were me, I would grab the 1068, combined with the 1075 it will get you closer to where you want to be I would suspect (that is the route I had taken). Down the road if you need "more" you can add the 1080, or 1090. I have also taken that route as I recently went from the 1080 to the 1090. Good luck, and enjoy the ride......

[Henk]

I owned Paradigm 60's and the 1075 was barely enough to drive them. I upgraded to the Studio 100's and tried them with the 1075, bi-amped and otherwise. No luck: insufficient power. Eventually I bought the Rotel 1090. Major improvement. My 1075 now drives the two rears (Studio 40's) and two channels are bi-amped to drive my Paradigm centre. Great sound!

[scient]

I too find the Studio 100's a bit weak being driven by my 1056 (75 wpc) and from what I have heard the 1080 or the 1090 should be a big boost. Myself - I am considering getting the 1080.

[blues651]

Great forum guys, good input hope to get more. As Soundhound says "enjoy the ride", I got a feeling it's going to be a long and costly one as I think I'm addicted!

[blues651]

I owned Paradigm 60's and the 1075 was barely enough to drive them. I upgraded to the Studio 100's and tried them with the 1075, bi-amped and otherwise. No luck: insufficient power. Eventually I bought the Rotel 1090. Major improvement. My 1075 now drives the two rears (Studio 40's) and two channels are bi-amped to drive my Paradigm centre. Great sound!

Henk, I was wondering what type of pre-amp you have? And in your opinion what made the biggest diierence in sound quality pre-amp or amp?

[PewterTA]

Might want to consider the RMB-1077 as well... Analog switching power!

The pre-amp and amp will both make differences, the pre-amp slightly over the amp. If you switched from your Onkyo to a Rotel RSP-1068/1098, you'll notice more of a difference in over all sound quality. If you upgrade your amp, you will notice an improved low volume response. Combine the two, you're in heaven. ha ha