1069 Sound Quality

[shadow 8]

I did not see this topic on a specific thread, so I am curious how owners/users of the 1069 compare its sound quality to the 1068, 1098 and competing units from other companies. I am interested in both analog quality for CD/SACD/DVD-A and blu ray/HD-DVD sound quality over HDMI. Any bugs experienced would be welcome too. I just bought a 1085 amp and would really like to buy the 1069 in a few months when funds allow. I am also considering a Denon or Yamaha receiver to use as a pre/pro, but that is not my first choice.

[Kevin D]

This thread has my comparison of the 1069 vs the 1098.. Around page 6-7.

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=27269&highlight=1069

The rest of that thread has problems we have, along with this thread:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=28530&highlight=1069

Kevin D.

[shadow 8]

Hope to get more current impressions and comparisons with competing units including receivers.

[Mig17]

1069 have better opams in the outputs and better TI chip
I think It will sound better than 1057 and 1068

[aricoboyo]

I wrote a long post going into more detail about my opinions of the 1068 & 1069, but my browser crashed and I lost the post. I just recently replaced my 1068 with a 1069. Basically, I like the 1068 better musically with surround modes (ProLogic II & DTS:Neo). They both are identical to my ears in 2 channel mode. If I had it to do over again, since the 1069 is used in my dedicated theater, and I really don't listen to tunes down there often, I'd still trade them out. With the 1069, I gain less cable clutter going with HDMI, and I like being able to have the 1069 handle the base management with my lossless audio via Blu/HD (rip HDDVD).

To be true to your original question, I'd give the sound edge to the 1068. It sounds equal to the 1069 on movie soundtracks, but betters it in music surround modes. (Which is probably not a big deal to many around here, as Rotel is known for the excellent 2 channel sound, and both units do well in that mode) I'm by no means an authority around here, and I'm sure others more knowledgeable will give you more insight.

[shadow 8]

Thanks for your opinion on the 1069. There was initially speculation that the new processor in the 1069 but I have not heard anyone who has heard the 1069 claim its sound quality is superior to the 1068 because of the new processor or other improvements in the newer model.

[kiwi2000]

First I suggest you read the thread on this forum known fixes for 1069 in its entireity to see what you are getting into with this machine and the whole hdmi issue. You state you want to use this function so beware it is far from sorted out.

Apart from that the 1069 has a much lower noise floor than the 1068 had. This makes it soudn much more musical to my ear.

[shadow 8]

Well, I am still paying off my 1085 so I will not be buying a pre/pro for at least three months. I have been following the 1069 HDMI issues on this forum, but there has been little news in this area for a while. I appreciate your observation regarding the lower noise floor on the 1069 since this is a critical factor in better sound quality in my experience. I want HDMI for blu ray movies, my music on analog bypass and my tv on component is fine so I am not sure how much the HDMI issues impact me.

[esaleris]

For what it's worth, I found that the RSP-1069 sounds better than the RSP-1068 for me, personally. The 1068 seemed to be much more prominent in the high-end. The 1069 was a bit smoother to my ears, but maintained musicality.

[shadow 8]

Over all, this was a disappointing level of response to Rotel's first HDMI audio preamp. Given that this forum is the premiere Rotel enthusiast web site, I would have expected more responses to this thread. It appears that most folks on this forum have not had any experience to speak of with the 1069, or are unwilling to participate in this thread.

[Mikael]

I haven't heard it,but I wouldn't throw money after this one,with all it's problems with the scaler and video issues.Though I have talked to another Dane who has bought the RSP 1069,he told me that it sounded better in stereo than the RSP 1068,with a smother treble and a better midrange but it still is a bit lacking in bass compared to the RSP 1098.I have the RSP 1098 and I love it I am waiting to see what we can look forward to in a new RSP 1099 or what they will call it.I hope that it will have onboard decoding of all the new surround formats including DST HD MASTER and TRUE HD.It would all so be nice if the new model would have switch mode power supply.IMO it sounds better and more linear than the old toroidal transformers.
Sorry for getting sidetracked.

[shadow 8]

Nice to get another opinion given the paucity of responses to this thread. I have a combo DVD/SACD/DVD-A player, HD Cable box and plan on a blu ray player so I am kind of leaning toward getting the 1069 since I can disable the scaler on the HDMI sources, but my cable box outputs video on component so I understand I would have to use the scaler at least on the non-hi def channels unless I bypassed the the pre and hooked up the cable box directly to the display, which I would rather not do. Problem is there are too few options available now and what is available and planned in the near future is either sonically compromised or way out of my price range. I might be able to stretch up to the new B&K Ref 70, but it lacks on board decoding of the new formats for now and no one knows what teething problems it will almost certainly have. I like the Anthem AVP 50, but its way out of my price range. In my budget range its either the 1069 or the NAD 175, and I am leaning toward the Rotel. Be nice if we knew when/if the 1099 would be coming, what it had on board, but no word yet and my 1056 is four years old and I would like to replace it soon.

[esaleris]

...he told me that it sounded better in stereo than the RSP 1068,with a smother treble and a better midrange...

That's exactly the experience I had. In my book, the RSP-1069 provided a noticeably better sound than the 1068 in PCM 2Ch mode.

[shadow 8]

I will see if I can borrow one this weekend. You know, its such a monumental pain in the *** to test one of these pre/pros in your system. Back in the day, I could borrow a Krell or Audio Research preamp, plug in two RCAs for the CD player, two more to the amp, plug it in and I'm done. No more, with the multitude of cables, video adjustments and calibrations. It takes so much time to take one out, then replace it with the old one when you are done. But I guess I gotta see if the 1069 can really do the job or not. If so, then it's time to figure out how to pay for it.

[lvhung]

1069 oly have problem with HDMI audio
if you use it only for standard DVD , it will
work well

[Frankster72]

Hi,

did any of you ever compared his rotel preamp against a competitor product or even a level up product?
classe offers for e.g. a surround processor as well, or audionet is known for the good stereo and D-A qualities of the map V2 processor....

is it worth upgrading?

br,
frank