New Member - Advice on 2 channel system

[Agostino]

Hi all,

I'm a keen Rotel fan and am now looking for a new 2 channel system and would appreciate advice. The new system will need to drive the below 6 year old German Quadral Phonologue Largo speakers. Unfortunately the below specs not in English specs.

These speakers are quite small floorstanders! But have poor efficiency by today's standard!

I live in a townhouuse in Melbourne and my room is 5X6m, with a 3 and 1 year old daughters the listening levels rarely go above normal listening levels, well, it does when the wife is out with the kids! :lol:

So, I do not have any room for a pre/power configuration as space is quite limited in this room. I have been advised by the Rotel distributor that the RA 1062 and RCD 1072 have had significant upgrades and have read many winning reviews. I intially thought of the RA 1070 but believe the RA 1062 sounds smoother and has greater detail and missed on the RA 1062 upgrade.

Question, will the "conservatively power rated" 1062 offer enough dynamics for my speakers? versus RA 1070? and If I could squeeze space I'd consider the RB/RC 1070 but again, more power but do they offer a smoother detailed sound as the RA 1062?

Look forward to your replies

Cheers

Agostino

Incinte acustice pe 2 cai, fiecare difuzor de joase lucrand in compartimente separate bass-reflex.
Putere nominala : 80 W
Putere muzicala : 160 W
Banda frecventa : 30 - 24.000 Hz
Frecventa de separatie : 2.600 Hz
Eficienta (db/1W/1m) : 86
Impedanta : 4-8 ohm
Dimensiuni difuzoare
Inalte : 1 x 25 mm
Joase : 2 x 130 mm
Dimensiuni : 930 x 160 x 191

[Kevin D]

Is the RA-1070 still a current product? I'm not seeing it listed on either of Rotel's sites.

The extra 40 watts will give you some more punch, but I'm not sure how the 1070 compares with the updates on the 1062.

Kevin D.

[Agostino]

Thanks Kevin for your advice. I just got off the phone from the Rotel distributor and we do have the RA 1070 in Melbourne, Australia. I was advised that the RA 1070 did not recieve the 1062 updates but it was already a well defined integrated.

I'm going into a dealer tomorrow to audition the RA-1062 versus RA-1070. I am also tempted to audition the RB/RC 1070 combo against the RA-1070 as they are the same price when you add decent interconnects to the RB/RC 1070's. Again, my issue is space and the RA-1070 offers a good alternative, well, on paper anyway.

I'll let you know how my listening experience goes.

Cheers

Agostino

[lopezzz]

Agostino,

I have the similar problem choosing the proper amp to drive my Proac Studio 110 loudspeakers. They have very similar specification to your speakers.

I have already heard Rotel RA-1062 playing with my speakers and it was quite good combination. Maybe you should have a look at Rotel RA-03? I know, it's seems to be a step down, but this amp is a little bit more powerfull and have been released recently.

Jarek

[Agostino]

Hi Jarek,

Appreciate your reply. Yes the RA03 has been recieving rave reviews. I am also in the market for the matching CD player and prefer the sound and look of the RCD 1072 over the RCD02 cd player. Apparently, the 1072 and 1062 were upgraded and voiced as a pair which the RA 1070 was not. Note, the 1062 actual rated power found by many magazine is approx 90 watts in 8 ohms and not the 60 Rotel specify!

My guess is at normal listening levels that the 1062 would be fine, but eveyone in the HiFi game are steering me to buying a little more power to make 100% sure that the speakers get all what they need to really sing. I do agree with them, it's not volume I'm after, just the best overall sound and dynamics. I like the pre and power combinations but they will look ridiculous in my house sitting right next my Loewe widescreen TV. I am seeking more discreet and elegant look hence looking at the RA 1070.

I am going to audition the above models and will let you know my thoughts and findings of the RA 1062 and RA 1070

Regards

Agostino

[Agostino]

All,

As discussed in my thread, I auditioned today the RA 1062,RA 1070 and RB/RC 1070.

1062 was fine, but the extra power from the RA 1070 and RB/RC 1070 combo offered a lot more detailed dynamics and much greater sound stage. It was was immediately noticeable. So RA 1062 is off my shopping list. I believe my speakers will sound fuller and more dynamic with either the RA 1070 or RB/RC 1070 combo and will now pusue these models.

I found little difference between the RA 1070 and RB/RC 1070 combo, certain tracks they sounded identical and others the RB/RC combo had deeper dynamics and more forward voice and detail. What was interesting at very low listening levels say between 7 and 8 o'clock on the volume dial the RA 1070 sound stage and dynamics would collapse! Move the volume up a fraction and the amp would come to life? The RB/RC combo had consistent dynamics at all volume levels.

In Australia, the RA 1070 is $1899, The RB/RC 1070 combo with $200 interconnect cables is $1848

Same price, near identical sound, it's basically, 2 piece system versus 3 of the pre/power setup. My latest thoughts are that the RA 1070 may leave a residual doubt on just whether I am missing something where the pre/power would be a satisfying and complete buy!

I'll keep you posted on what I end up buying

Agostino

[jim777]

1062 was fine, but the extra power from the RA 1070 and RB/RC 1070 combo offered a lot more detailed dynamics and much greater sound stage. It was was immediately noticeable. So RA 1062 is off my shopping list. I believe my speakers will sound fuller and more dynamic with either the RA 1070 or RB/RC 1070 combo and will now pusue these models.

Thats funny, I prefered the 1062 integrated to the 1070 combo. I don't listen at very loud volumes though. I stretched my budget pass Rotel for my amplification though.

Also, I tested with relativly high sensibility (B&W) speakers.

Again, the RCD1072, with so much performance/price, is a steal
Got to pay 3 or 4 times the price to get a real quality increase.

[Agostino]

Jim777,

Yes I agree with your points, I heard the 1062 with a pair of bookshelf Klipsch and they had a high efficiency rating of 96db/8 ohm. The 1062 was an excellent partner and the 1062 dynamics was more like the pre/power offerings.

My speakers are small floorstanders which are 86db/4 ohm so they need considerable more from an amp, the 1062 versus the pre/power of the RC/RB 1070 or the RA 1070 offered much greater detail.

I guess it's all in the system matching! Let's just say next time I buy speakers I will pay closer attention to the efficiency rating!

Cheers

Agostino

[Brent A S]

Agostino,

I understand your dilemma a bit. About 6 months ago I purchased an RA-1062 combined with the RCD-1072. Its a good combo, but I'm driving a pair of Polk LSi 9 bookshelf speakers which are rated 88db/4ohms. Being an absolute newbie, its only now that I learn that this is apparently a fairly power-hungry speaker!

I purchased from a supposedly very reliable specialist Rotel supplier in Melbourne Australia, and they absolutely 100% assured me that the 1062 would drive those speakers perfectly well. Admittedly, I rarely (if ever) go past the 11 o'clock position on the amp volume, so maybe that's why?

Irrespective of this, whilst my system sounds good, I can't help but wonder whether I should have spent some extra $$$ and gone for a pre/power setup with some extra output. Maybe I'm missing out on some sound quality with my setup...maybe not. Hard to say when I have nothing else to compare it against.

Brent.

[Agostino]

Hi Brent,

I heard a comparison at Encel in Richmond between the 1062 and RC 1070 and RB 1070 pre/power and there was considerable differences. Soundstage, dynamics and voice.

I can only suggest going back to your dealer and try and have a demo using your polks and pre/power setup and use your own music!


Keep me posted.

Cheers

Agostino

[BTB]

Hi Agostino

I also use the 1070 combo you refer to, great amps to be sure for all the reasons you've already mentioned. You mention that you're also looking for a CD player, I use an Arcam CD 73T with my amps, don't want to make myself unpopular here on a Rotel forum, but I honestly reckon it's a better player than the RCD 1072, PARTICULARLY in the areas of detail resolution and dynamics... which appear to be high on your list of wants. Mine too. Soundstaging was also far superior, Arcam big and spacious, Rotel a bit limited and "small" sounding.

I really wanted to like the RCD 1072, because it would've made a nice stack with the amps (as I've mentioned elsewhere in this forum), but really in sonic terms the Arcam left the Rotel standing, and really makes for an engaging match with the 1070's. Maybe something to consider?

[Brent A S]

Agostino,

Thanks for your reply. To be truthful, it would really annoy me if the pre/power combo you heard would be much better for my setup, as I specifically asked if the 1062 was up to the job, and I was told "yes" in no uncertain terms. I laid out considerable cash (for me anyway) for the Polks, and it would be a shame if they are underperforming for the sake of only a few hundred more $$$ for a pre/power combo that I WOULD have bought if it had been recommended.

In case you're wondering, yes, I got this setup at Encel. I might actually look at taking my Polks in like you suggest and getting a demo. Trouble is, if I like the pre/power combo, what to do with my near new 1062???

[Agostino]

Brent,

Your Polks are excellent speakers and current in the range so no need to bring your speakers into Encel. I'd visit Encel in Richmond being their largest store and ask them to setup the polk Lsi9 for a demo with the 1062 and the 1070 pre/power. Should you hear the difference ( and your will!) I woul express your disappointment and ask them to assist in your upgrade by offering a considerable trade-in on the 1062!

They were right in saying that the 1062 would drive your speakers but as I have recently learned, there is more to volume, at low listening levels, there are HUGE differences in sound dynamics, soundstage etc etc!

For example, I did a demo of a Primare i21 integrated amp and matching player cd 21 system with my speakers. The amp is 75 watts into 8 ohms and 125 into 4 ohms. I thought the system would struggle being underpowered. Let me tell you that my speakers sounded so LUSH and Warm and had impressive detail. The dealer also sells Rotel and compared it to the Rotel with more power and it sounded harsh and bright in comparison. Unfortunately, I do not have the $4600 in my budget for the Primare setup versus the $2650 for the Rotel Pre/Power and CD player.

I hope I've helped in some way?

Regards

Agostino

[Brent A S]

Thanks Agostino. I might call past the Richmond store over the course of the next few weeks and try the different combo.

Brent.

[2bluechris]

RA-1070 versus RA-1062 and RA-03 ...

Agostino , do you have any further thoughts or listening results on the RA-1062 ; RA-1070 ; RB/RC combo ; and the RA-03 - if you got to listen to it also ? ___ I am currently in that dilemma , and will be using B&W 705 speakers in not tiny but fairly small room . Thanks , Chris .