rotel rsx 1056 + new pre-processor to support DTS-HD?

[jw87c]

Is it worth it to buy a used RSX 1056 as a pure 5.1 amplifier, and connect is with a pre-processor to get the support for all the new formats (DTS-HD, Dolby TureHD) and automatic room correction?

[hifiguymi]

I wouldn't recommend it. No matter which input you use the volume control is always in the signal path and that's not ideal. You should get a power amp instead of using a receiver.

Eric

[jw87c]

This might be a noob question: doesn't a stand alone power amplifier also come with a volume control? Otherwise how do we adjust the output volume of the amp? Thanks!

I wouldn't recommend it. No matter which input you use the volume control is always in the signal path and that's not ideal. You should get a power amp instead of using a receiver.

Eric

[srb]

This might be a noob question: doesn't a stand alone power amplifier also come with a volume control? Otherwise how do we adjust the output volume of the amp? Thanks!

Although some power amps have adjustable gain controls for each channel (Bryston Pro series, some Parasound amps, my Audio Refinement Multi-5, etc.) the majority do not. When they are provided, they usually do not cover the full volume range, but work in a limited range to facilitate matching the amp's overall gain to another brand or model of amplifier for use in situations such as multi-amping speakers.

I don't believe any of the Rotel power amps have gain controls. (Edit: As Eric points out in the following post, the Rotel Distribution amplifiers for multi-zone distributed audio do have level controls)

The volume of the speakers is controlled by the volume control on the surround processor or preamp. If the speakers in the HT setup are of different efficiencies, the surround processor provides adjustment to match their levels.


Steve

[hifiguymi]

Steve pretty much summed it up. There are a few Rotel amps that do have gain controls (RB-1510, RMB-1506, RMB-1512, and various older models) but they are primarily designed for whole house music systems and not for home theaters.

Eric

[jw87c]

Thanks for the detailed replies!

Now I'm thinking of buying a used RMB 1075. Is there any recommendation on which pre-processor to use with this amp? Thanks!

[hurin]

The 1069 is the only preprocessor of the 1000 series capable of playing HD sound. However although it can play HD sound it cannot decode it. So you'll have to pair it with a BD player with HD sound decoding, then in the menu set output to multichannel PCM.