Tweet
I’ve been a fan of Rotel for a number of years, beginning with my RSP-1068/RMB-1075 pairing in a dedicated space in my previous house. When we moved from a house to a condo, I was constrained by the media cabinet and the incorporation of the system into the main living space. As a result, I opted to downsize the amp (to an RMB-1085) and use a receiver (Denon AVR-3808CI) as the processor, so that I could use HDMI exclusively for connectivity. It was basically impossible to wire 5.1 multi-channel analog within the new cabinet, so this option made the most sense at that time.
The Denon performed quite well in this capacity, and was definitely a solid option – giving me HDMI connectivity, Audyssey calibration, an Ethernet port for DLNA network connectivity and firmware updates, and basically every other option that I could think of or want. However, I always considered the Denon an interim solution until I found a worthy standalone processor, because to me, optimum sound quality was my goal above all else. I have built a decent collection of SACD, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray concert performances, and 2-channel FLAC music that gives me great enjoyment when I get the opportunity to sit down and really listen.
I don’t really have the time or flexibility to demo a bunch of different processors, but I did do a fair amount of research on what is out there – including NAD, Cary, Anthem, and other similar options. I do look for value, and while I am willing to spend some hard-earned bucks on a good component, I wanted to make sure that what I selected would be of high quality and not overpriced, or just plain “overkill” for the modest space of my listening environment. The rest of my system is solid, including B&W 805S, HTM4S, and SCMS in a 5.1 setup (with a Velodyne MiniVee sub for the bottom end), and an Oppo BDP-83 for universal disc transport, and a Logitech Transporter for streaming 2-channel music from my NAS.
So…after sifting through tons of research and elimination of many contenders, I basically circled back around to where I began – Rotel. I was fortunate to find a local dealer who was willing to “work with me” a bit, which is important to me. I decided to give the 15-series a try, mostly because of my previous experiences and satisfaction with Rotel. I ordered the RSP-1570 and RMB-1565, which would fulfill all of my requirements, and would also fit neatly into my limited component space. (I’m attaching one picture, but did post others of my overall setup in the Rotel picture thread.)
Did I make the right choice? I absolutely believe so. While the Denon had all of the features I could ever want, it is well known and documented that the Rotel does not. But, I believe this is really the point – I view the Rotel processor as more of a pre-amp that just happens to support 5.1 channels and decodes the latest codecs. Beyond that, I definitely don’t miss Audyssey calibration, video scaling, 3D passthrough, network connectivity, satellite radio, or any of those other features. I was actually quite surprised that I enjoy the Rotel sound significantly better than the Denon, even given the lack of Audyssey calibration. (Two caveats to note: I do have the Transporter which does a fantastic job of music streaming, and also provides Internet radio, so I’ve never had the need for the processor to do that; and, the Rotel does provide the ability to do easy firmware updates, albeit not directly over the Internet.)
For me, the Rotel’s minimalist approach has produced the more refined, detailed, and impactful sound quality that I was seeking. They might take a lot of flak over lack of features, but for some like myself, their quality, value, and sound quality are what really shine and provide tremendous listening (and viewing) enjoyment.
The Denon performed quite well in this capacity, and was definitely a solid option – giving me HDMI connectivity, Audyssey calibration, an Ethernet port for DLNA network connectivity and firmware updates, and basically every other option that I could think of or want. However, I always considered the Denon an interim solution until I found a worthy standalone processor, because to me, optimum sound quality was my goal above all else. I have built a decent collection of SACD, DVD-Audio, Blu-ray concert performances, and 2-channel FLAC music that gives me great enjoyment when I get the opportunity to sit down and really listen.
I don’t really have the time or flexibility to demo a bunch of different processors, but I did do a fair amount of research on what is out there – including NAD, Cary, Anthem, and other similar options. I do look for value, and while I am willing to spend some hard-earned bucks on a good component, I wanted to make sure that what I selected would be of high quality and not overpriced, or just plain “overkill” for the modest space of my listening environment. The rest of my system is solid, including B&W 805S, HTM4S, and SCMS in a 5.1 setup (with a Velodyne MiniVee sub for the bottom end), and an Oppo BDP-83 for universal disc transport, and a Logitech Transporter for streaming 2-channel music from my NAS.
So…after sifting through tons of research and elimination of many contenders, I basically circled back around to where I began – Rotel. I was fortunate to find a local dealer who was willing to “work with me” a bit, which is important to me. I decided to give the 15-series a try, mostly because of my previous experiences and satisfaction with Rotel. I ordered the RSP-1570 and RMB-1565, which would fulfill all of my requirements, and would also fit neatly into my limited component space. (I’m attaching one picture, but did post others of my overall setup in the Rotel picture thread.)
Did I make the right choice? I absolutely believe so. While the Denon had all of the features I could ever want, it is well known and documented that the Rotel does not. But, I believe this is really the point – I view the Rotel processor as more of a pre-amp that just happens to support 5.1 channels and decodes the latest codecs. Beyond that, I definitely don’t miss Audyssey calibration, video scaling, 3D passthrough, network connectivity, satellite radio, or any of those other features. I was actually quite surprised that I enjoy the Rotel sound significantly better than the Denon, even given the lack of Audyssey calibration. (Two caveats to note: I do have the Transporter which does a fantastic job of music streaming, and also provides Internet radio, so I’ve never had the need for the processor to do that; and, the Rotel does provide the ability to do easy firmware updates, albeit not directly over the Internet.)
For me, the Rotel’s minimalist approach has produced the more refined, detailed, and impactful sound quality that I was seeking. They might take a lot of flak over lack of features, but for some like myself, their quality, value, and sound quality are what really shine and provide tremendous listening (and viewing) enjoyment.
Attached Files
Comment