What defines the sound, pre-amp or amp?

[jonnyz]

forgive me if I am a bit confused on this. I am trying to educate myself on several fronts at once and am hoping for a bit of clarity.

I am in the middle of an upgrade and am getting a little clouded on where to go.

I 1st started with speakers and am pretty sure I have decided on a used set of n803's or new 803's.

My next question is power.

I have a Rotel rmb 1095 mated with rsx-1055 surround processor.

My goal is to enhance(maximize w/in my budget of 10k +/-) my 2 channel set-up while still leaving open the possibilities of HT

If I were to buy a new Rotel pre-amp, Classe, Krell etc am I correct in my understanding that the pre is going to "change" the sound the most when coupled with my rmb 1095 and if so why wouldn't people just upgrade the pre if the rotel 5x200w is enough juice to power the speakers .

Or am I off base and it is the amp that is going to do this.

help!!

[htsteve]

jonnyz,

It's really both. The sound is heavily influenced by both. If I had to choose, I would probably say the pre has more influence. The best thing to do is to buy a matching amp and pre-amp (i.e dont mix manufacturers, IMO).

Does your 10k buget include the speakers, or is that for electronics? I assume all. Here's a very nice Rotel/B&W set-up. Studly for 2 channel and very nice for HT.

803S $5500 (the new series is very nice, I have 802D's)
1069 pre amp $2100 (good 2 channel and you are set up for HT)
RB-1092 amp $2500 (2 x 500 stereo amp, runs cool and is small)

Total $10,100

You should get 10% off this, which will allow you to get some cables and pay the taxes. Keep your 1095 to do HT duty. Sell the 1055.

Hope this helps.

[Bluespower]

johnnyz,

About two years ago I integrated a ModWright SWL 9.0 hybrid tube pre-amp into my main system (1068/1095). What it did for my 2-chan listening is amazing. It has the HT "passthru" feature so that with the flick of a switch I have either 5-chan or stereo. Do a little investigating on pre-amps with this feature.

This winter I upgraded the pre-amp of my office system (mainly LPs) with an RC-995. Made a huge difference over a lower end Rotel pre-amp that I was using before.

I'm very much a believer that the pre-amp is key and often overlooked.

[sprout]

johnnyz,

About two years ago I integrated a ModWright SWL 9.0 hybrid tube pre-amp into my main system (1068/1095). What it did for my 2-chan listening is amazing. It has the HT "passthru" feature so that with the flick of a switch I have either 5-chan or stereo. Do a little investigating on pre-amps with this feature.

This winter I upgraded the pre-amp of my office system (mainly LPs) with an RC-995. Made a huge difference over a lower end Rotel pre-amp that I was using before.

I'm very much a believer that the pre-amp is key and often overlooked.

Absolutely :T

The "amp" can only expand on it's food :

Pooh in + pooh out :W

sprout

[style]

Ice ampli ROTEL

@jonnyz,

I life in Switzerland and I have a 803S fornt with RB1092, rear RB1092, center
RB1091 htm4s, RSP1068.

In akkord with htsteve keep the rmb1095 and sell the 1055.

For my set I think to buy a new 1069 (I have seee the Onkyo905 or Denon4308 but the sound from Rotel ist another ...), the htm3s come in the next day....

In Switzerland the RB1090 is no more avialable... and the rmb1095 will be the next!

the new D Ice power Rotel-ampli make eally the diffeernt; do you can to think a RB1072 for a system 7.1 for SR back....

Greetngs from Switzeland Omar