The wireless Internet at the Imperial Palace was hit or miss, but due to a canceled flight I can now post from the airport.
The Rotel/B&W suite was nice as well as everyone there. They were showing most of what I expected, with a few surprises. No pictures as they were test models and designs could change. You can check out the press release threads for the details. I'll hit the highlights and then give you a forecast.
RB-1072 100w x 2 Digital amp:
Uses two slightly newer versions of the ICE modules found in the 1077. Should sound as good, if not better, than the 1077.
RVE-1060 1080i scaler:
480p, 720p, 1080i only scaler. 2 HDMI, 11 analog inputs. Not designed to be a scaler for everyone, just one to easily integrate with any 10 series receiver or processor. Connects to the serial control port to allow a single remote solution. If you need custom resolutions or more HDMI inputs, look for a different scaler.
RDV-1093 1080p DVD/DVDA player:
A 1092 with new mechanics. Improved speed and disc compatibility. No new features. It's a running change to the 1092. Costs Rotel more but the retail is staying the same. The new transport is lead-free, so the 1093 should be available all across Europe now.
RC-1082 analog preamp:
Performance close to or above the RC-1090. Plenty of inputs including a front analog jack for MP3 players. Unit on display did not have a HT passthrough but they believe they could have a solution before its release.
RSX-1058 Receiver:
This is a new model, not a replacement. The entry level piece is still the RSX-1057. Even then, this new model is only $700 more then the 1057; well worth it if you need the additional features.
Basically take a 1057, add two more zones of multi-room support and a scaler. The 1058 does use a new DSP chip from TI, which may lead to additional functions or sound. This is the only unit they have available in NA right now and is still a beta product. It currently does not decode PCM sound via HDMI, but that does not mean anything for the final product.
Again if you don't need a 4-zone system or you do need custom scaling, look at the 1057 with an outboard scaler.
Outlook and future products:
Anything in this section is purposely vague. Believe me when I say ROTEL does watch this forum and what you feel or say can change things.
Rotel is looking at adding more digital amps. What combinations would you purchase?
If a pre/pro version of the 1058 were to be released this year, expect the 1068 to be replaced first. Due to some import restrictions, the 1068 isn't available in all markets and they would like to remedy that.
HDMI 1.3 and decoding new formats:
Currently it's too expensive to do it right (video bandwidth requirements). Sure they could slap 1.3 ports on there with no advantagesover 1.1, but they don't want to do that. As far as decoding new formats internally, no chips to do this exist yet. The models shown by Denon and Sherwood are projected dates and prices, Rotel has quit 'projecting' products only to be let down by what a chip manufacturer said they could do. If you remember they showed a 1080p scaler last year. In then end the chip couldn't do 1080p and Rotel had to eat their words. So once the chips exist and Rotel can physically verify all functions, expect new product announcements.
Any interest in a digital amp version of the 1067?
HD-DVD and BR. Not anytime soon. Let the big guys battle it out. Too expensive to pick a side and lose.
I'm about to go board the flight. Keep in mind that the 1058 and 1082 are still beta so I'm not going to have exact answers on what all they will do outside of the press release.
Kevin D.
The Rotel/B&W suite was nice as well as everyone there. They were showing most of what I expected, with a few surprises. No pictures as they were test models and designs could change. You can check out the press release threads for the details. I'll hit the highlights and then give you a forecast.
RB-1072 100w x 2 Digital amp:
Uses two slightly newer versions of the ICE modules found in the 1077. Should sound as good, if not better, than the 1077.
RVE-1060 1080i scaler:
480p, 720p, 1080i only scaler. 2 HDMI, 11 analog inputs. Not designed to be a scaler for everyone, just one to easily integrate with any 10 series receiver or processor. Connects to the serial control port to allow a single remote solution. If you need custom resolutions or more HDMI inputs, look for a different scaler.
RDV-1093 1080p DVD/DVDA player:
A 1092 with new mechanics. Improved speed and disc compatibility. No new features. It's a running change to the 1092. Costs Rotel more but the retail is staying the same. The new transport is lead-free, so the 1093 should be available all across Europe now.
RC-1082 analog preamp:
Performance close to or above the RC-1090. Plenty of inputs including a front analog jack for MP3 players. Unit on display did not have a HT passthrough but they believe they could have a solution before its release.
RSX-1058 Receiver:
This is a new model, not a replacement. The entry level piece is still the RSX-1057. Even then, this new model is only $700 more then the 1057; well worth it if you need the additional features.
Basically take a 1057, add two more zones of multi-room support and a scaler. The 1058 does use a new DSP chip from TI, which may lead to additional functions or sound. This is the only unit they have available in NA right now and is still a beta product. It currently does not decode PCM sound via HDMI, but that does not mean anything for the final product.
Again if you don't need a 4-zone system or you do need custom scaling, look at the 1057 with an outboard scaler.
Outlook and future products:
Anything in this section is purposely vague. Believe me when I say ROTEL does watch this forum and what you feel or say can change things.
Rotel is looking at adding more digital amps. What combinations would you purchase?
If a pre/pro version of the 1058 were to be released this year, expect the 1068 to be replaced first. Due to some import restrictions, the 1068 isn't available in all markets and they would like to remedy that.
HDMI 1.3 and decoding new formats:
Currently it's too expensive to do it right (video bandwidth requirements). Sure they could slap 1.3 ports on there with no advantagesover 1.1, but they don't want to do that. As far as decoding new formats internally, no chips to do this exist yet. The models shown by Denon and Sherwood are projected dates and prices, Rotel has quit 'projecting' products only to be let down by what a chip manufacturer said they could do. If you remember they showed a 1080p scaler last year. In then end the chip couldn't do 1080p and Rotel had to eat their words. So once the chips exist and Rotel can physically verify all functions, expect new product announcements.
Any interest in a digital amp version of the 1067?
HD-DVD and BR. Not anytime soon. Let the big guys battle it out. Too expensive to pick a side and lose.
I'm about to go board the flight. Keep in mind that the 1058 and 1082 are still beta so I'm not going to have exact answers on what all they will do outside of the press release.
Kevin D.
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