Home theater plus 2 channel

[UFObuster]

I'm running HT with Klipsch RF-7 front, RC-7 center, and RF-5 surround. A late model Yamaha AVR gives me processing while I use a separate Rotel RB-1080 (200wpc) amp for front mains (a real necessity and a pleaser with the RF-7).

I had thought about giving up the RB-1080 (2channel) in favor of the RMB-1095 (200wpc-5ch) and replacing the Yammi with the RSP-1068 processor from Rotel as an upgrade. Well and good, but I got afraid that I might loose some 2 channel clarity if I let the 1080 go and I REALLY like the 2 channel sound I'm getting from the Rotel/Klipsch combo.

So, if you will, please comment on this compromise and give me your suggestions too: I'll keep the RB-1080 for front LR and 2 channel. I'll add a 5-channel rotel RMB-1075 (120wpc) to run center and surround in HT mode and have 2 channels left for 7.1 later. I'll use the Rotel RSP-1068 for a processor hoping that in combo with the 1080 I'll further improve 2 channel listening and have great HT on-call all the time. So far, I haven't thought of a better solution but I don't know the market that well. I can get Rotel locally and the dealer is negotiable. I can swap if I have to.

Lastly, I just thought that the 1095 is overkill to run surround channels....wrong? I also may be over-rating the idea that a separate 2 channel amp will give me significantly better 2 channel if i'm not using a dedicated 2 channel processor...wrong? I only have a gut feeling about this but will audition what I can.

Comments....suggestions appreciated.
Roger

[dmcgowan]

Roger,

Not sure I am going to help but we just upgraded from RSX-1055/RMB-1070 combo to RSP-1098/RMB-1077/RVE-1060 kit. Doesn't help you on amplification (althought sure that you will get lots on here supporting the 1080 for fronts, 1075 for balance view) but the 1098 has just blown me away with how much better it sounds for both 2 channel and 7.1 movies. This is also all before trying to do SPL adjustment for the 1098 - so far, have yet to find time where I want to do SPL setting vs. just listening / viewing the new combo.

On the assumption the 1068 has many of the goodies of the 1098 inside then I can't see how your proposed upgrade won't improve things an awful lot...

[calmac]

The main impediment to clarity for 2ch will be the Yamaha reciever , preamps are more difficult to design well than poweramps and the pre's inside most ht recievers are appauling as far as 2ch duties are concerned.Upgrading to a 1068 should bring large improvements.The 1095 is a great amp but not as good as the 1080 for 2ch work.I would keep the 1080 and purchase a 1075 to drive the surrounds , given the efficiency of the Klipsch and the 1080 driving the main speakers this should provide better sound quality both for stereo and ht duties.
Gordon

[UFObuster]

Thanks Gordon,
I got the same feed-back at the Klipsch forum. They like the 1080/1075 combo alot.
I'm very aware of the gain-to-be-got from getting a pre/pro into the system and am having a very hard time not buying the RSP-1068 right away. I know there is an upgrade of this model on the horizon but I'm not sure if I'll really use HDMI out of the pre-pro....my main concern is getting the new movie HD sound formats. I gather that DVD-players with built in decoders will be showing up soon also....does that make the 1068 a relatively "safe" buy?

...anxious to try the 1068...anyone know anything about a new model?

thanks.
Roger

[calmac]

Hi Roger , there is next to no real info about a 1069 pre/pro or the like.We are starting to get info about some of the more mass market orientated brands releasing recievers with hdmi1.3 and decoding built in but if they follow their normal design practises most of these will still be poor on the 2ch side.
I have a 1066 pre and am tepmted to get the 1068 for it's greater flexibility with respect to speaker set up and supposedly slightly better sound quality.At this stage I don't use the pre'pro to do any video switching but with Hd disc sources starting to penetrate the market and with theoretically better sound quality from having hd sound decoding done in the processor it's a difficult decision to make.
As an alternative you could just keep the Yamaha for ht duties and buy a quality stereo preamp that has a ht bypass facility.That way you can get the best out of your 2ch stuff now and buy a new reciever or pre/pro when the market stabilises.
Gordon

[hifiguymi]

Thanks Gordon,
I got the same feed-back at the Klipsch forum. They like the 1080/1075 combo alot.
I'm very aware of the gain-to-be-got from getting a pre/pro into the system and am having a very hard time not buying the RSP-1068 right away. I know there is an upgrade of this model on the horizon but I'm not sure if I'll really use HDMI out of the pre-pro....my main concern is getting the new movie HD sound formats. I gather that DVD-players with built in decoders will be showing up soon also....does that make the 1068 a relatively "safe" buy?

...anxious to try the 1068...anyone know anything about a new model?

thanks.
Roger

I can understand wanting to get something that will decode the new Dolby and dts formats, but there have been a lot of questions as to weather or not the movie studios will put them on most of the discs (at least in the short term). I'm sure you will see decoders in players that will work with something like the RSP-1068 very well. Since most of what is currently available now are regular DVD's, getting an RSP-1068 will allow you to get the most out of your system now. Technology evolves all of the time so quality, not technology, or you will never buy anything.

As far as the new surround preamp models go, I haven't heard anything about them other than Rotel hopes to show them in September at the CEDIA show. They usually keep most of the details on new product close to the vest so getting any info before then may not happen.

Eric

[UFObuster]

I can understand wanting to get something that will decode the new Dolby and dts formats, but there have been a lot of questions as to weather or not the movie studios will put them on most of the discs (at least in the short term). I'm sure you will see decoders in players that will work with something like the RSP-1068 very well. Since most of what is currently available now are regular DVD's, getting an RSP-1068 will allow you to get the most out of your system now. Technology evolves all of the time so quality, not technology, or you will never buy anything.

As far as the new surround preamp models go, I haven't heard anything about them other than Rotel hopes to show them in September at the CEDIA show. They usually keep most of the details on new product close to the vest so getting any info before then may not happen.

Eric

Right, Eric...and ditto Gordon...
Yes, I've got so much "soft ware" playback on the bookshelfs it seems silly not to upgrade now. I guess I'll just plow ahead and see what happens later.
I went out to audition some pre/pros today...nobody has any real handle on what is on the horizon.
Going to add the RMB-1075 along side the RB 1080 to nail down amplification for the long run....get the RSP1068...and a tuner...and enjoy the hell out of it until something better comes along...as it likely will.

thanks for the comments.
Roger

BTW...for any Yammi lurkers out there...that RX-V2600 is a really nice piece.....can't complain about any part of it. I'm a late commer to separates...when I put the Rotel 1080 into the stream, it was like getting hit up 'side the head with sound I hadn't yet heard out of the system......had to move on.....best to all.

[calmac]

Ye probably a good move UFO .While I think we are at a bit of a technology watershed at the moement , as we were with the transition from Dolby pro-logic amps to Dolby Digital, there is no telling just how long we will have to wait for the HD disc players to become more than just a small niche market and for the partnering electronics to properly and cost effectively mathc the new requirements.In the mean time the purchase of a 1068 should dramatically improve your enjoyment of your current software.
Happy listening,
Gordon

[UFObuster]

Update

Did it and love it!

RSP-1068: besides the sound, the flexibility to tweak is fantastic.
RB-1080: still fine...great 2 ch from the 1068...multiple ways to get this
including bypass. So many good options.
RMB-1075: more than enough for center, surround, even added a back (6.1)
with a left over Klipsch RC-35 (a center channel speaker).

Altogether, better than I hoped for.. h: .
Thanks for the input.

Roger