Upgrade bug doesnt go away...

[97disco]

Well heres my thoughts...

I've got the B&W HTM7 with matching 704's, B&W ASW 850, Rotel RSP 1066 with the RMB 1075.

So far so good! its been a great combo and I've been happy with the results.

I love the sound but I've been reading a lot about the RSP 1098 and have heard great things. Although its an older unit, the 1066 has been great, but I am wondering if the 1098 will give me more from the B&W's and since the price has gone down significantly recently, I am considering the purchase.

Any experience anyone going from the 1066 to the 1098? Has the improvement been significant or minor?

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

[Ferres]

How about just adding the rc 1082 or rc 1580 into the mix.

[JRachwalski]

The improvement wont be significant.
If you are upgrading you may want to consider either the 1069 or 1575 as they have HDMI. Even if you do not need this today or tomorrow, there will come a point where you will need it.

[Kevin D]

I agree, I went from a 1066 to a 1098 to a 1069 to a 1570. The 1069 and 1570 sound alike, and both sound better then everything before them.

Kevin D.

[97disco]

I agree, I went from a 1066 to a 1098 to a 1069 to a 1570. The 1069 and 1570 sound alike, and both sound better then everything before them.

Kevin D.

Really? wow... I would have thought the 1098 would be equal if not better to the 1069.

the HDMI would be nice now as I am running bluray from a panasonic BD55 with the multi-outs for the audio.

So the 1069 would be the way to go?

[june]

97disco,

i have a rsp-1068 with a panasonic bd55. my audio is hooked up the same as yours. i had the upgrade bug also. so i did some research and brought a rsp-1066, sony s550 & a rb-1075 amp for my bedroom. it was better for me to get another system for the bedroom than to buy a new proccessor. i love the rotel sound and it's products. once i was able to get the new hd-surround sounds with getting a new processor, i was a happy brother.
also, sometimes newer my not be better.

[97disco]

97disco,

i have a rsp-1068 with a panasonic bd55. my audio is hooked up the same as yours. i had the upgrade bug also. so i did some research and brought a rsp-1066, sony s550 & a rb-1075 amp for my bedroom. it was better for me to get another system for the bedroom than to buy a new proccessor. i love the rotel sound and it's products. once i was able to get the new hd-surround sounds with getting a new processor, i was a happy brother.
also, sometimes newer my not be better.

I know this has been talked to death, but are you saying the HD (DTS, DOLBY) cannot go through the RSP-1066 via the multi channel? I thought the 1066 can process it through the multi only or am I missing something?

[june]

97disco,

yes the 1066 can decode the hd-dts & true dolby via 6-channel inputs.

[97disco]

june,

thanks for the confirmation.

I had an acquaintance who went from the 1066 to the 1068 and said it was better... and from the 1068 to the 1098 was amazing. This is kind-of what got me itchin'.

So no one has heard any significant difference between the 1066-and the 1098? and as Kevin mentioned the 1069 has better audio than the 1098? What then makes it the "flagship" pre-amp other than the tft screen and a couple more inputs?

hum....

[Audio_ElF]

Being a pedant?

yes the 1066 can decode the hd-dts & true dolby via 6-channel inputs.

Technically speaking, the 1066 CAN'T decode anything via 6-channel inputs all it does it recieve analogue inputs.

However, many Bluray players (such as the Panasonic BD55) decode DTS-HD and Dolby True HD to analogue signal which can be accepted by the 1066 which is then passed straight through to the outputs via just the volume control (IIRC)

Maybe I'm being a pedant but think there is a subtle but important difference.

Eloise

[june]

thanks audio elf,

you are right, 97disco that was my mistake. the sony 550 & the panasonic 55 both have built in hd audio decoders. 97disco, are you a movie or music person? i'm 75% movie / 24% music.

[97disco]

eh... I cant say. I've been having less and less time to park my butt and enjoy anything lately.

Probably almost 50/50 on music and movies.

[Kevin D]

So no one has heard any significant difference between the 1066-and the 1098? and as Kevin mentioned the 1069 has better audio than the 1098? What then makes it the "flagship" pre-amp other than the tft screen and a couple more inputs?

hum....

There was a big difference between the 1098 and 1066. The 1066 was actually a step down in quality from my first pre-pro the 985. The 1098 was the flagship model, but came out 2-3 years before the 1069. The new DSP chip in the 1069 made a big difference.

Kevin D.

[97disco]

kevin,

Your always a great source of knowledge!

Thanks!
-Chris