RB-1072 on Rotel Website...sort of

[gianni]

I've heard the 2 ch version of the RB-1077, the RB-1072 is in stock at some dealers. The Rotel website however, has been slow to update with no mention of it until now. The user manual can be found under support/manuals. Specs claim 190w into 4 ohm, 100 into 8 ohm. Curious to see some reviews on this.

[hifiguymi]

It's a great sounding amp. I think it's the best sounding amp under $1000.00 US I've heard. Very smooth and great speed and dynamics. In terms of sound quality I think it out performs the RB-1080, but it doesn't have the RB-1080's output capabilities. I heard it on XT4's and 804S's and thought it was great.

Eric

[gianni]

Thanks Eric.

So I can conclude that since you like it better than the RB-1080' the RB-1072 is indeed better than it's closest sibling in the current linear lineup, the RB-1070?

[hifiguymi]

Yes. The RB-1072 is closer in price to the RB-1080 so that is why I used it as a reference. I really like the ICE Power amps. All of them are really good! Now if they can just do a 200 x 7 ICE Power amp.........

Eric

[Pez]

If it sounds like the 1077 anyone looking at 2 channel amps should put this on thier short list. I am continually amazed at the sound from my tiny 1077.

[shadow 8]

What is the list price for the 1072?

[hifiguymi]

It's $899.00 US.

[Stephan]

I'm curious. Will the 1072 be much of an improvement regarding sound quality over my RSX-1056?

[mike c]

anybody have pictures?

[len73]

Know it would sound a bit too early (still no review), but do you think a RB-1072 would be sufficient to drive "serioulsly" a pair of B&W 804s ?

Until recently I was looking at the RB-1080 to drive them.

What do you think ?

Probably off-topic (!?), would you preferably look at the brand new RC-1082 or is a RC-1070 still a good choice in this configuration ?

Thanks for your answer !

Cheers,

Len

[miner]

I have N804 & ASW800 sub. I initially used a RC-1070/RB-1070 (130 w/ch). I felt I was missing some 'detail' and hten Imoved up to a RC-1090/RB-1092 combo and it completely opened up my 804s. If you like your music loud & clean go for nothing less than the RB-1080.

[hifiguymi]

anybody have pictures?

I have a piece of lit, but it's to big to attach. I don't know how to make a PDF smaller in size.

Eric

[hifiguymi]

Know it would sound a bit too early (still no review), but do you think a RB-1072 would be sufficient to drive "serioulsly" a pair of B&W 804s ?

Until recently I was looking at the RB-1080 to drive them.

The short answer is yes. I have 804S's and the RB-1072 was very good on them. The 804S's could use a better amp, but in the price range the RB-1072 is very good.

Eric

[scanido]

Does anyone know if there will be a more powerful version slotted between the RB-1072 and RB-1092? The power gab between the two is quite substantial - 100W to 500W!

I could see a RB-1082 with 200W-250W that would work. Any other future models on the way?

[hifiguymi]

Does anyone know if there will be a more powerful version slotted between the RB-1072 and RB-1092? The power gab between the two is quite substantial - 100W to 500W!

I could see a RB-1082 with 200W-250W that would work. Any other future models on the way?

I believe so. ICE Power modules only came in 100 watt and 500 watt until 6 months ago or so. My rep said they are working on a two channel and a multi channel amp based on the new 200 watt module. The new B&W 600 Series woofers have the 200 watt ICE Power module(s) in them.

Eric

[mike c]

hifiguymi, that's nice to hear about the 200w modules ... if they make a 3 channel 200w module, I'm buying one. or at least a 2 channel and a mono amp.

does your PDF lit have pics? would you mind emailing? i'll pm you my email add if you want.

[Kevin D]

If someone will send me the PDF, I'll convert it and post it. If I get a hard copy at the office beforehand I'll scan it in.

Kevin D.

[FernandoF]

hifiguymi, that's nice to hear about the 200w modules ... if they make a 3 channel 200w module, I'm buying one.

That's also my dream, and I believe many other's who have invested more money in the 3 front speakers than in the rears... Let's wait and see !

[resperc]

I would love to see Rotel produce a 3x200 and a 2x200. With those configurations along with the current Icepower amps there would be many options. Hopefully someone at Rotel is paying attention.

[hifiguymi]

hifiguymi, that's nice to hear about the 200w modules ... if they make a 3 channel 200w module, I'm buying one. or at least a 2 channel and a mono amp.

does your PDF lit have pics? would you mind emailing? i'll pm you my email add if you want.

It didn't sound like they have a three channel planned. My rep talked about a two channel and a five (or more) channel. He didn't give a time frame at all so it may be a number of months before they come to market.

Eric

[shadow 8]

Rotel has not made a three channel amp in a number of years so that option is highly unlikely.

[mike c]

maybe a mono?

[Kevin D]

Here's the lit:

[Blindamood]

I especially like how Rotel 'Photoshops' the newer equipment into the older pictures. They did a few of these when the new power conditioners came out last year.

[gianni]

I especially like how Rotel 'Photoshops' the newer equipment into the older pictures. They did a few of these when the new power conditioners came out last year.

You are right. I don't really mind though as I'd rather see the money go towards product development and keeping prices down. One thing they could do at a minmal cost is to keep the website more current. The RB-1072 is in stores but not on their site? Odd.

[hifiguymi]

You are right. I don't really mind though as I'd rather see the money go towards product development and keeping prices down. One thing they could do at a minmal cost is to keep the website more current. The RB-1072 is in stores but not on their site? Odd.

My guess is there will be a big update with the RC-1082, RDV-1093, and RSX-1058 (which hopefully ships in the next few weeks) in addition to the RB-1072. I may be totally wrong, but that would make sense.

Eric

[bigburner]

anybody have pictures?

Attached.

[shadow 8]

Do not need it but sure would like to have it!

[scanido]

Is it correct to assume the RB-1070 is now discontinued?

Anyone care to speculate how this amp @100w compares to an RSX-1056/7, also in two channel that outputs 100w? Would it be worth the expense?

[fordster]

Just read (in the shop, didn't buy) a review in a HiFi magazine (think it was HiFi News) of both the RB-1072 and the RC-1082. They didn't like the combination so tried them seperately on their "reference" system (can't remember what it was, sorry) and said that the RC-1082 was a great pre-amp but that the RB-1072 was a real let down and was lifeless. They have previously given good reviews to the RMB-1077 and RMB-1092 so it doesn't look good for the RB-1072. Hopefully more reviews will come soon.

[Nolan B]

Just read (in the shop, didn't buy) a review in a HiFi magazine (think it was HiFi News) of both the RB-1072 and the RC-1082. They didn't like the combination so tried them seperately on their "reference" system (can't remember what it was, sorry) and said that the RC-1082 was a great pre-amp but that the RB-1072 was a real let down and was lifeless. They have previously given good reviews to the RMB-1077 and RMB-1092 so it doesn't look good for the RB-1072. Hopefully more reviews will come soon.

honestly i am surprised. I would have thought they would have just used the exact same formula and components used in the 1077 for the 1072.

[hifiguymi]

Is it correct to assume the RB-1070 is now discontinued?

Anyone care to speculate how this amp @100w compares to an RSX-1056/7, also in two channel that outputs 100w? Would it be worth the expense?

No, the RB-1070 is not disco'ed. Rotel is going to continue with the non class D amps for a little while. I think they are going to let them discontinue themselves. As long as they are selling, why stop making them.

As far as sound, I listened to the RB-1072 on the same system as the RMB-1077 and heard very little difference if any at all. It was not a back to back so going by memory I think the two channel is very good. As I stated earlier, I think it's as good as, if not the best, I've heard in it's price range.

Eric

[shadow 8]

honestly i am surprised. I would have thought they would have just used the exact same formula and components used in the 1077 for the 1072.

As if you needed another reason not to believe "professional" reviews. :roll: This amp almost certainly is based on the same amp modules used for the 1077 that they loved so much. There is no reason whatsovever that the 1072 would sound different. It can only be 1. Defective amp. 2. Incompetent or biased review. I suspect the latter but it would be interesting to know if a different reviewer from the 1077 did this review and what his system consisted of.

[gianni]

Perhaps someone on the forum here in the industry or with the right friends can arrange a comparison shootout between RB-1072, 1070, RMB-1077 etc? Would be interesting.

[Kevin D]

Actually the 1072 is based on 'updated' modules found in the 1077. By all accounts it should sound better, but definitely not different.

Kevin D.

[rick c]

would the rb1072 be considered to be a cool running amp.Was looking at some digital amps like red dragon,ps audio trio.bel canto.As well as the audio refinement multi-3.How do you guys think it would compare.Just so happens i'm looking but havent dscided yet.

[Nolan B]

would the rb1072 be considered to be a cool running amp.Was looking at some digital amps like red dragon,ps audio trio.bel canto.As well as the audio refinement multi-3.How do you guys think it would compare.Just so happens i'm looking but havent dscided yet.

i would say its probably very cool. I have all 7 of my channels in my 1077 powered all at once and it never gets more then luke warm. Not to mention its also in a very tight space.

[rick c]

i would say its probably very cool. I have all 7 of my channels in my 1077 powered all at once and it never gets more then luke warm. Not to mention its also in a very tight space.

Thanks.Now maybe you can help me out here.I have an rsx1056 which supposedly should not be used with 4ohm speakers.I upgraded my speakers 2 wks ago to System Audio's which are 4-8ohm and 90db.The rsx1056 seems to be doing fine.I am still a little leary thinking i may have problems later,dont know.This is the reason i'm looking into maybe getting a cool low profile amp,But would hate it if i dont really need it.any suggestions?'ve posted about this b4 but been getting mixed feedback.

[Nolan B]

Thanks.Now maybe you can help me out here.I have an rsx1056 which supposedly should not be used with 4ohm speakers.I upgraded my speakers 2 wks ago to System Audio's which are 4-8ohm and 90db.The rsx1056 seems to be doing fine.I am still a little leary thinking i may have problems later,dont know.This is the reason i'm looking into maybe getting a cool low profile amp,But would hate it if i dont really need it.any suggestions?'ve posted about this b4 but been getting mixed feedback.

mmm..tough to answer. I would guess the 1056 is doing the best job it can at 4 ohms, but your speakers would probably sound better with an amp whih can do 4 ohms. The 1077 can easily do it.

If I were you I wuold borrow a 1077 or 1072 and hear the difference, then let us know what you find.

[rick c]

mmm..tough to answer. I would guess the 1056 is doing the best job it can at 4 ohms, but your speakers would probably sound better with an amp whih can do 4 ohms. The 1077 can easily do it.

If I were you I wuold borrow a 1077 or 1072 and hear the difference, then let us know what you find.

kind of a fixed budget.The 1077 is wayout there.The 1072 discounted may be an option.I'm assuming the 1072 could also do 4ohms.

[shadow 8]

My problem is my dealer only orders items like this so there are no demos to take home and try. This seems to be coming more prevalent with all mid and hi end electronics. I wanted to just hear a Denon 2930 a few months ago, and it was a special order item from a different dealer.

[Nolan B]

My problem is my dealer only orders items like this so there are no demos to take home and try. This seems to be coming more prevalent with all mid and hi end electronics. I wanted to just hear a Denon 2930 a few months ago, and it was a special order item from a different dealer.

thats a sign of a poor dealer in my opinion. Actually its more a sign of a poor manufacture's rep who is not managing his dealers properly. There is a sale potentially not going to happen becuase they dont carry a demo unit.

[hifiguymi]

thats a sign of a poor dealer in my opinion. Actually its more a sign of a poor manufacture's rep who is not managing his dealers properly. There is a sale potentially not going to happen becuase they dont carry a demo unit.

It's not that easy. If I, as a dealer, were to have a demo of every SKU from Rotel alone, that is a HUGE investment. Not to mention the other brands I support. I try to keep a sampling of products that I think will represent the line and fit most of my customers needs most of the time. If a dealer has an RMB-1077 on display, a customer can get a very good idea of what an RB-1072 sounds like. When I listened to both of them on the same system, although not a the same time back to back, they are very close if not the same. I don't see a need to spend the money and display both.

Eric

[Nolan B]

It's not that easy. If I, as a dealer, were to have a demo of every SKU from Rotel alone, that is a HUGE investment. Not to mention the other brands I support. I try to keep a sampling of products that I think will represent the line and fit most of my customers needs most of the time. If a dealer has an RMB-1077 on display, a customer can get a very good idea of what an RB-1072 sounds like. When I listened to both of them on the same system, although not a the same time back to back, they are very close if not the same. I don't see a need to spend the money and display both.

Eric

I think the issue is most of these products arnt even on display let alone able to be used to be taken as a demo. My dealer has at least 1 of every Rotel product on display and some important ones are able to be used as demos. They have been the "Rotel dealer of the year" in my country for the last apx 5 years.

I remember when I was in the market to buy a B&W M3 i went to a local dealer who didnt have one I could even test drive. They said "people special order the M3 knowing they are getting one of the best cars in its price range and they dont need to test drive it". I went to another dealer 1 hour away and they had 3 M3s on their lot I could drive. Which dealer got my business?

I agree its a huge investment, and I agree it may not be worth having a the ability to loan out any Rotel product, but I do think that if a dealer sells a product they should either have it, or have the ability to get it in for me to look at/demo it without any commitment from me.

I guess I am extra sensitive because in my business my dealers must fully commit to my product line as I see fit before they are able to carry the line. I know how hard sales are to get and I dont want to loose one based on not having a product available to demo.

[gianni]

I agree its a huge investment, and I agree it may not be worth having a the ability to loan out any Rotel product, but I do think that if a dealer sells a product they should either have it, or have the ability to get it in for me to look at/demo it without any commitment from me.

I guess I am extra sensitive because in my business my dealers must fully commit to my product line as I see fit before they are able to carry the line. I know how hard sales are to get and I dont want to loose one based on not having a product available to demo.

Yes, ABSOLUTELY! Otherwise, buying over the internet would replace a dealer who is not able to properly display a line. If he can't do it, he should not be a dealer. Unfortunately, I think the writing is on the walls for many of these dealers.