RB 1072 wow!

[Mikael]

Hi guys
I am testing the RB 1072 at home now,and I must say it sounds very very good. It has a warm mid that gives voices a natural sound and a sweet and pleasant treble with lots of detailes.The bass is deep and has a good body,it is at the same time dry and a bit rumbling,maybe that will change with time.
I have the RB 1090 power amp,and if the bass issues with RB 1072 clears up I am going to change my amp to the new RB 1072,without looking back.
My old RB 1090 has a lot of bass output in the upper bass and lower mid,but not so much in the low bass,compared to the RB 1072 it has a more forward and thin midrange and treble.The RB 1072 has more bass output in the lower bass and not so much in the upper and low mid,so it can sound a bit lean in bass at first,but after a short time I think it has more and better bass output where it counts,down low.The midrange and treble in the RB 1072 is so much more sweet/warm/natural,you can play louder without any listening fatique.
If the bass get better it is a winner in my book.

[miner]

I have a RB-1092 that replaced a RB-1070. I am very happy with it. I have had it now since it was released - approx 1.5 yrs old. A close friend of mine brought over his RB-1090 for comparision. Pros and cons for both models. In the end the RB-1090 owner preferred my RB-1092 - (I would have bought the RB-1090 but size and weight was an issue so I chose the RB-1092). Give the amp about 50 hrs breakin time and you will be thrilled.

[Catbo]

It's all subjective. Some still feel that the RB-1090 is still Rotel's best. They are a bit different in sound. Both are good but different. I won't be giving my Rotel RB-1090 up. I get great bass and every thing else and no fatigue at all, very nice rounded, airy, and smooth. I've been very pleased. Yes, I'm one who does prefer the RB-1090 to the newer D-Class, not that I don't like the new Rotel amps because I do, I just like the RB-1090 better but it's all subjective. All what sounds best to you!! :T I have two RB-1090's now!

[Mig17]

D amp is very atrrative but it may need time for firm admiration

[Mig17]

sorry Mikeal what speaker you use ? BW ?

[Mikael]

No it's a Danish speaker from DanishAudioTechnique,it uses scanspeak revelator units and a ringraditor treble.I want to try a B&W speaker maybe CM 7 or if there comes a new 7 series or the 683

[style]

@Mikael,
The new Rotel ICE ampli are super.

Personaly I have a RB1092 for front (L,R woth B&W803s), 1xRB1091 (center woth HTM3s) and another RB1092 (rear with B&W805s).


In Switzerlnad B&W say me .." the old RB1090 is no more produt. the consumer are more happy with the new D classe ampli...)

Go with Rb1072 and Co.

Greetings from Switzerland
Omar

[Catbo]

The RB-1090 wasn't discontinued because more people like the D-Class amps. Rotel discontinued it right near the intro of the Rotel new D-Class amps. Rotel said that they discountinued the RB-1090 because it was never a big seller like the RB-1080 and rest below it. Rotel said they will keep the RB-1080 for a while for those who still want the analogs. Certainly it's future will depend on how well the D-Class amps do in sales compared to analogs with how long the Rotel analogs stay around, as sales always dictate these days.

The new Rotel D-Class amps do sound good so do not let me give you the impression that I don't like them, I do. They are just different somewhat in sound. I purchased my RB-1090 before the Rotel D-Class amps were out, so I've already made my investment and feel no need to change.
I'm sure if I lived with one of the Rotel D-Class amps long enough to get used to it, I would be just as pleased. :T ;x(

I really don't think you could ever go wrong with any of Rotel's products in terms of sound quality!! :T :T :T

[Catbo]

And weight can be a factor!!

I also love the hefty heavy tank quality of the RB-1090. Some don't like that big, hefty, heavy quality..... near 100lbs. Some don't have the room for such a big heavy amp. With those factors in mind, those people pick the much liter weight Class-D amps that better fit their needs. I heard people even mention they love the power-savings of the Class-D amps who live in parts of the country that have horrible high utility rates! The Rotel D-Class serves those needs well. :W

[Mig17]

Rotel 1095 or 1090 have the problem of heavy weight especially when transportation

[Club1820]

Rotel 1095 or 1090 have the problem of heavy weight especially when transportation

How often would you need to transport? I put my 1095 in the rack 2 yrs ago and havent moved it since.

[Mikael]

Just want to say that the RB 1072 just gets better and better,the bass is beginning to open up.I can't believe how musical it is compared to my RB 1090.The music sound more alive and natural.It doesn't have the same control over the bass as the RB 1090 do,but that isn't a bad thing becuase the sound is more alive this way.you could say that it is punchy and bouncy the sound.
So I think I have to sell my RB 1090 and buy the RB 1072.I do have one issue with it and that is I don't know if it has enough power to drive a B&W speaker(683,CM7.804 or a new 703 if it comes?)But other than that it is a winner in my book.

[mjb]

Rotels digital amps sound much bigger than their watt rating, many compare the 100w digital amps to the 200w linear ones. This is probably due to their ability to track low impedance loads so well. I don't think you'll have any problems with a 683/703 setup, although more conventionally you'd probably want a 200w amp.

[Mikael]

You don't have any problems with the RB 1077 driving your 802D regarding the bass? It doesn't sound strained or forced?
If you don't have any problems driving B&W speaker with the RB 1077,the RB 1072 shouldn't have any trouble either.I have the same pre/pro as you.I will proberly going to borrow a set of 804S and give them a try,but the new B&W CT 7.3 also looks very nice,but I don't know when it is going to be available here in Europe.I do hope that B&W are going to release a new 7 series this year.

[mjb]

You don't have any problems with the RB 1077 driving your 802D regarding the bass? It doesn't sound strained or forced?
If you don't have any problems driving B&W speaker with the RB 1077,the RB 1072 shouldn't have any trouble either.I have the same pre/pro as you.I will proberly going to borrow a set of 804S and give them a try,but the new B&W CT 7.3 also looks very nice,but I don't know when it is going to be available here in Europe.I do hope that B&W are going to release a new 7 series this year.

Nope, not at all. And when the bass is pounding away, the mid and treble is still perfect. The 1077 has no trouble with the load at all. I was sceptical too, I've read lots of posts about how you need gobs of power for B&W speakers, but after hooking the 802D's & 1077 together, I'm amazed how well the combo performs. I'm interested in your comments regarding the 1072's performance with the 804S's. One tip about buying B&W speakers, decide your budget, and don't audition anything above it. Its fatal

[Mikael]

That sounds good,Yeah here in Denmark and Germany B&W are very expensive.It will be a while before it will try the B&W's but I will do sometime this year,though I don't think I can wait until September where we hopefully will se the new B&W models

[DL86]

Rotel's digital amps are a huge turn off for me(or any digital amp). I like my amps big and hot My rb-1090 isn't going anywhere to no dvd player sized amp. Analog amps talk for them selves when someone comes over to see it. If rotel ain't making high quality analog amps anymore than I will look elsewhere. Just my personal opinion.

[Blindamood]

I'm glad to hear the digital amps are sounding so good. I got the RMB-1085 not too long ago, and continue to be impressed with the improved dynamics and bass impact of my system. I would definitely look at the RB-1072 if I needed two-channel; in fact, I do have a two channel digital integrated, the Onkyo A-9555. This integrated has all of the same positive sound characteristics as the 1085. And when space is a factor, digital is an even better option.

[Mikael]

Hi DL86
I had some of the same thoughts as you have,but that was before I heard them,have you heard any of them?It is not the size or look of the amp that define it's ability to sound good.As you can se I to have the RB 1090 and it is power indeed,but it isn't as musical as the new class D amps.

[DL86]

No i have not heard them. But a lot of people on this forum prefer the rb-1090 over rotel's digital offering's and the few who took the digital over the 1090 vs 1092 was either space factors or the 1090 being discontinued. The 1090 was considered the more musical amp and better sounding amp which is why I question your decision of taking the 1072 over the 1090. Unless the 1072 sounds better than the 1092/1091 which the 1090 came out on top of both, then I am not sure what to beleive here. Do a search of past posts.

I have not got the luxury of hearing rotel's digital amps at home or even in shops anywhere around where I live, which is why my purchase depends heavily on peoples opinions on this forum. I have no plans of changing my amps for a long time but would like a clear view on my options.

[cug]

The 1090 was considered the more musical amp and better sounding amp which is why I question your decision of taking the 1072 over the 1090. Unless the 1072 sounds better than the 1092/1091 which the 1090 came out on top of both, then I am not sure what to beleive here. Do a search of past posts.

First of all: "professional" reviews will normally take the more expensive or "abstruse" amplifier to be better sounding even if it is exactly the same technology.

Next: Sound is a matter of taste. So every review aside from technical aspects is normally bullshit as soon as you try to reproduce it in your environment with your speaker and your taste.

[DL86]

True.

[Mikael]

I would have to say that you can't really question anything without hearing them both,and certanily not based on others reveiws.As I mentioned before I have the RB 1090 now and I have tried a set of RB 1091,and now the RB 1072.The RB 1091's are to controlled and clean for my taste,so that battle goes to my old RB 1090,but the new RB 1072 have a more natural and alive sound and not so controlled compared to the RB 1091's.And for the forum going for the RB 1090 I have read something else in here.It was a owner of a RB 1090 who heard a RB 1092 and prefer the 1092 over his 1090.But again it is a matter of taste.

[DL86]

Fair enough. But these were my deciding factors when I was purchasing my amp : http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=19400 and http://www.htguide.com/forum/showthread.php4?t=19375. I can base my decision on reviews that compare 2 products that I am deciding upon and its reviews like these that help me out.
The 1072 wouldn't have enough power for my music habits anyway even if it is a bit more musical. Maby rotel should make a more powerful amp that sounds like the 1072? According to your findings.

[Mikael]

I would agree with you that it could be perfect if Rotel where going to make a 200/250 watts ICEpower amp that sounded like the RB 1072.But I don't think that is going to happen,because the more power the higher the damping factor is,that use to be the case with Rotel amps anyway.And that has a big impact on the liveliness of the bass.And I have come to learn that the higher damping factor the more controlled and dead bass you get.IMO

[Catbo]

You should be getting great bass with the RB-1090! I have several speakers and setups and having no bass issues with the RB-1090. I also find the RB-1090 very musical. Are you sure your RB-1090 is working properly? I suppose it could greatly depend on your speakers load, have you asked anyone running the same speakers as yours if the RB-1090 does the same for them?

As for the bass with PWM/Class D amps, that technology has always done well in the bass area. It's been used on subwoofers with built in bass amps for years.

The final say as always with any product you try that sounds best to your ears is what counts most, what you will be happy with.

I have a few digital amps of different makes and I've yet to like any of them as much as the RB-1090. There is a difference how the sound is done. I have the Onkyo A-9555 as well that was mentioned here and it is a good amp and I've tried it because of some rave reviews I've read. Yes, I like it but still not as much as the Rotel RB-1080, Rotel RB-1090, or even a Rotel RX-1052.

I'm not trying to sound like I am pooping on what you like, I just wonder how you don't find the RB-1090 musical and lacking in bass? Most reviews and real user reviews I have read state that it is very musical to them and say their speakers now have bass they were looking for, again may greatly depend on speaker loads. Just curious now if your RB-1090 is working fine.

[Mikael]

Hi Catbo

My Rb1090 is working just fine,I do not lack bass when I use the RB 1090 I just think that the bass in the RB 1072 have more weight down low than the RB 1090.
But some sad news,first impressions are not always true,I stil love the bass and midrange of the RB 1072, but the treble is beginning to sound off,by that I mean that it got a lot of SSS sound in it and sound grainy(for lack of a better word)So I am going to agree with you who didn't liked the new class D amps :rofl: :rofl:
So the RB 1090 goes back in the rack.
I just have to say if Rotel can sort out the treble issue with the Class D amps and make it sound as sweet as the SS amps, I will buy one for sure