Pre/Pro: If not Rotel, then what?

[greggz]

My RSP-1066 got zapped :E in a lightening storm (came thru the cable box). The cost to repair it is prohibitive given that they are valued at about $600 these days.

Sadly, I’m disappointed in Rotel’s current pre/pro offerings. Specifically, no support for HDMI 1.3 or the new hi-rez audio formats found on BluRay and HD-DVD.

So, if I cant find a Rotel solution, then what? Has anybody seen (heard) any pre-pro’s in the $1500 to $2500 range that offer HDMI 1.3 and the latest hi-rez audio formats that they were impressed with?

Thanks in advance!

[soundhound]

Onkyo (Integra) has a new one out that is supposed to be a giant killer for $1600.
Have read many good things about it.

[greggz]

Yeah, I'm hearing all the buzz about the Integra DCT-9.8 too but so few people actually have one. I've heard estimates as high as 2Q08 before current backorders are filled.

[Dmantis]

Check into NAD. They released a pretty killer 1.3 receiver.

[Nolan B]

Is NAD a bigger or smaller company then Rotel?

[greggz]

Thanks for the NAD tip. I'm not interested in a receiver (I have a Rotel RMB-1095 amp) but I will look further into their M15, T175, and T163 pre/pros.

[Rotelligence]

so you had video run into your 1066 and it got fried? wow!
i only run video to my plasma and i have a big surge protector.
did you have a surge protector?

[Rotelligence]

NAD does not produce their own units. They outsource them to the far east. Rotel builds their own stuff in house and stands behind them.

[LikeCoiledSteel]

There are a lot of guys in the same boat, and they are willing to take a step down in sound quality by going with an inferior pre/pro just because it has HDMI 1.3. I say wait on the hi-res stuff and just get a fill in pre/pro w/o HDMI. The problem is 1.4 is just around the corner.
Steel

[greggz]

so you had video run into your 1066 and it got fried? wow!
i only run video to my plasma and i have a big surge protector.
did you have a surge protector?

Everything was plugged into a nice big Panamax surge protector except the CATV coax. The surge came thru the coax and fried my cable box and the digital audio board(s) in the 1066. My 1066 still passes video and all the analog bypass works, but everything digital is dead. Rotel estimated the repair to be $480 to $660 depending on which circuit boards are damaged.

[gianni]

I would suggest really thinking about whether HDMI 1.3 is a deal breaker for you as HDMI in general is a work in progress and 1.3 is not the silver bullet when it comes to being future proof. Just hate to see people pass up on an otherwise great pre/pro (or settle for less quality than they otherwise would) because of the illusion that HDMI is now a critical link of any good setup.

[soundhound]

Gregg,
you may want to fire a p.m. to Jerry Rappaport as I know from another forum he claims the Integra is 90 + % (sonically) of what his Anthem was @ $5K +.
Allthough having different tastes in sound than he, I do trust his judgement.....

[greggz]

Gregg,
you may want to fire a p.m. to Jerry Rappaport as I know from another forum he claims the Integra is 90 + % (sonically) of what his Anthem was @ $5K +.
Allthough having different tastes in sound than he, I do trust his judgement.....

I saw that comment. It popped the Integra DTC-9.8 to the top of my list. I also saw that Kal Rubinson (of Stereophile) has one. I believe it is his intention to use it until his Meridian 8xx can be upgraded.

[apodaca]

I also am considering the Onkyo 805 which is a THX Ultra II certified 50lb monster its about $600 at Circuit City so its a nice piece to use until Rotel gets its act together.