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The Rotel web site is updated to include the 1066 replacement, the 1068. They also have the 1068 manual online. Having both 1098 and 1066 inhouse (wished the 1068 was here), I compared features, sound and the manuals for the 1098 to the 1068 to the 1066; here are the differences: Note I own the 1066 with upgrade privileges to either the 1068 or 1098. Anyone with the 1068 I would appreciate comments.
Between the 1066 and 1068:
1.processor appears to be upgraded to the same as the 1098; more power to do more tweaking. DAC seems to be the same as the 1098
2.you can change the contour (bass/treble) per speaker rather than just the master setting
3.you can change the crossover per speaker rather than just one master setting for all
4.you can now configure different speaker size per source (DD,DTS,Stereo,Music)
5.sub setup to include DPLII bass adj
6.DPLIIx
7.speaker delay is automatically calculated by entering in feet from listening position
8.have the option to turn on volume at last setting
9.able to set max volume levels
10.able to control volume speed
11.24/192 DAC
12.upconversion composite/svideo to component
13.includes DTS 96/24 CD music
Between the 1668 to the 1098
1.7inch widescreen video monitor built in
2.Much more robust and cleaner power supply (tordial)
3.mother/daughter board configuration to separate digital/power/analog/video---hardware upgradable?
4.4 component switiching
5.8 digital inputs
Sonically, I found the 1066 to have a very smooth, laid back trait. This preamp is very quiet. This is in contrast to the more sharper/analytical sound of the Sony TAE 9000. The sound of the 1066 is very appealing, but ultimately I long for a more forward/detail sound.
The 1098 took care of that. As soon as the 1098 was hooked up, the sound rewards was immediate. More detail, more airy, more forward than the 1066, yet maintain the 1066 smoothness. The center channel was more clear and intelligible; by contrast the 1066 seem muffled. I suspect the better DAC and better circuitry layout was the cause. The 1098 did add a slight hum to my surrounds, have to hunt down the source. I am also somewhat concern with the mother/daughter board layout. I understand this setup has positives such as separating out power/digital/analog/video to lessen interferences, but there are negatives such as increased noise and more jitter(caused by additional connectors in line). One review showed noise levels 5db above theoretical and jitter at 1800ps! The reviewer did note that this was not noticable in the listening test. But noise/jitter does decrease resolution/clarity.
In summary, the 1068 has closed the gap with the 1098. For roughly the same street price as the 1066, there are enough significant addl features to warrant moving upwards. If the 1068 with its new DAC and upgraded processor sound as good as the 1098, no need to pay the $1200 difference for basically the LCD monitor. Rotel will have to raise the bar on the 1098 to justify the price differential (hmdi, parametic eq, auto speaker setup, etc). Now if only I can get my hands on a 1068 before the 1098 loaner goes back.....
Between the 1066 and 1068:
1.processor appears to be upgraded to the same as the 1098; more power to do more tweaking. DAC seems to be the same as the 1098
2.you can change the contour (bass/treble) per speaker rather than just the master setting
3.you can change the crossover per speaker rather than just one master setting for all
4.you can now configure different speaker size per source (DD,DTS,Stereo,Music)
5.sub setup to include DPLII bass adj
6.DPLIIx
7.speaker delay is automatically calculated by entering in feet from listening position
8.have the option to turn on volume at last setting
9.able to set max volume levels
10.able to control volume speed
11.24/192 DAC
12.upconversion composite/svideo to component
13.includes DTS 96/24 CD music
Between the 1668 to the 1098
1.7inch widescreen video monitor built in
2.Much more robust and cleaner power supply (tordial)
3.mother/daughter board configuration to separate digital/power/analog/video---hardware upgradable?
4.4 component switiching
5.8 digital inputs
Sonically, I found the 1066 to have a very smooth, laid back trait. This preamp is very quiet. This is in contrast to the more sharper/analytical sound of the Sony TAE 9000. The sound of the 1066 is very appealing, but ultimately I long for a more forward/detail sound.
The 1098 took care of that. As soon as the 1098 was hooked up, the sound rewards was immediate. More detail, more airy, more forward than the 1066, yet maintain the 1066 smoothness. The center channel was more clear and intelligible; by contrast the 1066 seem muffled. I suspect the better DAC and better circuitry layout was the cause. The 1098 did add a slight hum to my surrounds, have to hunt down the source. I am also somewhat concern with the mother/daughter board layout. I understand this setup has positives such as separating out power/digital/analog/video to lessen interferences, but there are negatives such as increased noise and more jitter(caused by additional connectors in line). One review showed noise levels 5db above theoretical and jitter at 1800ps! The reviewer did note that this was not noticable in the listening test. But noise/jitter does decrease resolution/clarity.
In summary, the 1068 has closed the gap with the 1098. For roughly the same street price as the 1066, there are enough significant addl features to warrant moving upwards. If the 1068 with its new DAC and upgraded processor sound as good as the 1098, no need to pay the $1200 difference for basically the LCD monitor. Rotel will have to raise the bar on the 1098 to justify the price differential (hmdi, parametic eq, auto speaker setup, etc). Now if only I can get my hands on a 1068 before the 1098 loaner goes back.....
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