Rotel vs Emotiva

[tony_M]

I need suggestion.

I am looking to buy Pre-amp with surround processor (below $300)

Check audiogon already

1. Emotiva LMC-1 Preamp/Tuner/Processor ($245)
2. Rotel Rsp-1066 ($259)

Which one is better to drive my Emotiva XPA-5?

tks

[wkhanna]

Welcome to the forum!

What is your priority, music or video?

[tony_M]

Well it will be 60 (music) vs 40 (HT)
O yeah forgot to mentioned that speaker is B&W 800 series

[HDBLU]

I would get the Rotel.

[wkhanna]

As the owner of an RSP-1066, I feel the unit is quite adequate for movies & TV viewing & I have been pleased with its performance during the time it has resided in my rack. I would not recommend this unit for some one who places more importance on 2-ch music performance. This AV unit simply does not live up to the same standards as Rotel’s earlier 2-ch pre-amps. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing, it just was designed to a different set of priorities, and 2-ch music was not high on the list.

I have a 2nd 2-ch pre-amp integrated into my system for music only, so it all works out fine.

I have not heard the Emotiva.

[hurin]

I can't really recommend either. I had the 1066 before i got an offer on a 1069 at half prize, I wanted the HDMI support, but found that the 1069 had superior two channel sound as well.

[PewterTA]

Bill is just waiting for my RSP-1098 when I upgrade it.

I agree the 1066 isn't the best thing out there for 2ch, but it is an overall "good" sounding piece of equipment. The 800s might show the lacking in the 1066, but they'll probably show the lacking in the LMC-1 also.

[htsteve]

I would get the Rotel.

I agree with this. I owned the 1066 years ago. It works well. And it would match your 800 series pretty well.

What are your speakers and amp?


Hope this helps.

[TommyV]

You may want to consider bumping up to the 1068 for not that much more. There have been some crazy deals on used RSP-1068s lately and I think the added cost would be worth it to you.

At below $300 though the 1066 is hard to beat.