Amp choice using 1056 as pre/pro?

[stantheman2]

After about a year of internal debate, I'm about ready to buy a used power amp, run thru a Rotel 1056 receiver as a pre/pro, to power B&W 600 Series 2 speakers. Two questions to others that might have done the same, or similar:

1. I'm nervous this may be a simple case of upgradeitis on my part (we've all been there), with no real benefit. What are your experiences - what benefits did you hear, and was it worth it?

2. What amp? My budget is $1K or under. That seems to limit the power increase to only 50% or so above the 1056. from my search, I have ID'd several possibilities. The Rotel 1075 is an obvious choice - others are an Anthem MCA-5 or a Parasound 1205A. The Anthem PVA-7 or B&K 125.7 are also intriguing - I only have a 5.1 setup, but I could then bi-amp my L and R mains.

Any thoughts/experiences would be much appreciated.

[spinners]

You can try a 2 channel amp, like RB 1070. I have it hooked up to my 1056 and it's sweet and clean. Why would you overpower the center and surrounds? They are very good with movies as it is. For 2 ch. listening it's a different story. Then the extra power will provide you more clarity in critical listening. While watching a movie it's not about critical listening, it's about making noise.

just my opinion.

[stantheman2]

My local dealer was having a sale, so I stopped in. He had the Rotel 1075 and the Anthem PVA-7 available. After discussion of the pros and cons of each amp, I went with the Rotel amp - their 7-day retun policy also put my mind at ease.

I will definitely NOT be returning the amp - I am VERY happy. Adding the amp was a significant step towards "high end" sound. More control and authority on the low end; much more detail (attack and decay) on individual sounds; and better ability to resolve complex passages, so each instrument/vocal is more distinct and easier to follow. The amp also seems to tame the slight brightness on the high end, which was my only complaint with the B&Ws.

To us a Hawaiian phrase, the sound and whole experience is "mo better"!

I'll post a picture of my new setup in the Rotel picture forum.

[mlunde]

Hm, seems I was about 5 minutes too late.

I think you made a good choice, at least over the Parasound 1205A you mentioned. I had one of those sitting here with my 1056 a couple of days ago, and it did nothing for me, on B&W604s. No difference at all.