Had a problem and need advice

[kiwi_frog]

Hi all. I have recently had major issues - My RSX 1067, RB 985, Pioneer PDP427 and Pioneer DVD989AVI have been nailed by a lightening strike.

Replacing the Pioneer PDP427 is a no brainer - Pioneer PDP508.

Replacing the DVD989AVI is confusing me a little. Maybe the Pioneer BDPLX70? Has all the bells and whilstles, and if its anything like the 989, it should perform a sterling job for both stereo and HT.

The receiver and power amps, however, confuse me.

I have an undamaged RB981, which I have been using to drive my Focal - JM Lab Electra 937's. With great results.

I only used the RSX 1067's internal amps for zone 2 and rear surround duties

The 985 was used for center, surrounds and also running the subs.

I no longer intend to have a 7.1 system, only 5.1.

I wish to have HDMI switching, and upconversion from composite, Svideo and Component to HDMI.

My current idea is to buy a RSP 1069 and a RMB 1095, run the Electra mains and center off this, as well as the surrounds and to use the 981 bridged to drive the ( 8 ohm ) loaded subs. Of course, I could use a pair of the channels on the 1095 to run the mains, a pair for the subs, the remaining one for the center, with the 981 doing surround duties.

I will probably buy a smallish second hand amp for the zone 2 speakers.

Thoughts?

[Kevin D]

You will not get enough gain to run subs off of any of those amps. You really need to get an amplifier specialized for subwoofers.

If you liked your 985, does it come on? If not its probably just in the power supply circuit and could be an inexpensive repair.

Kevin D.

[kiwi_frog]

Hi Kevin, thanks for the reply

Firstly, sorry, I got my model numbers wrong, its a 1075, not 985. I dont know where I got that from!.

Anyway, the 1075 is toast, output devices shattered, all caps turned to confetti. It is well past its use by date now. I liked it, but didnt love it. The 981 ( to my ears ) suited the Electras a lot better than the 1075.

As for the amp for the sub's, their 96dB efficient ( their only used for HT ) and with them running how I had them - off the 1075, at a nominal 4 ohm load, I had plenty of ability to recreate the LFE channel. The Electras were so far advanced of the subs for music that I was happy to sacrifice that last 2/3 octave of bass extension for the speed, dynamics and timing of the Electras.

I am quite keen on Rotel gear, although the dealer has some Perreaux 350 amps and a Lexicon processor from his home system that he is considering selling, so I may well look into those as an alternative. The Perreaux amps will outperform 95% of all amps on the market in my opinion ( yes, even Rotel, but the Rotel value for money is far better! )