New Rotel Owner

[renowilliams]

Hi, I am new to this forum as well as a new Rotel owner. Recently I decided to put a vintage two channel system together. This prompted me to start looking online locally for speakers an an amp. First I found a 26 year old pair of Polk SDA 2A speakers in excellent condition. Next I found a Rotel RB-870BX amplifier. I took a chance on the amp and bought it without an audition or being able to find much info on its performance. I already had a Pioneer Elite VSX-49TXi avr, so I decided to use it as a pre/pro.
When the amp arrived I found it to be in like new condition cosmetically. I hooked my gear all up and put on my reference Music (Pink Floyd DSOM).
I have read that Rotel and B&W speakers are a great combination but I have to tell you that The sound comming from these Polks and the Rotel is simply amazing. This little amp performs like a champ. It presents with a very controlled clean sound with superb dynamics.
Anyone have experience with this little amp?


Tim

[wkhanna]

http://www.rotel.com/NA/Support/ManualsArchived.htm

I have had a few of the older 9 Series amps.
All of them performed flawlessly.

I have heard a few of the SDA's, big to small.
They still sound great even when compared to today's designs.

Pairing a 9 series 2ch pre with the Rotel amp and SDA's would put you at next level of audio nirvana.

As always, JMHO YMMV

[madmac]

That's the amazing thing about speakers. They last a helluva' long time!!. How is the condition of the drivers?. Normally, speakers used foam around the perimeter of the drivers and they tended to 'rot' and eventually crack!.

You can certainly say that both the amp and the speakers are well worn in !!!

[renowilliams]

The drivers are mint,they truly look like they just came from the store new. Just one small chip on one of the cabinets. I may look into putting new upgraded tweeders in some time down the road. I may redo all caps,resistors and crossovers but for now I just want to enjoy them. For a total outlay of $500.00 I am more than satisfied.

Just goes to show you that you can find some great gear on the cheap if your patient. Here is a link to a youtube video I did of my setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOdsGCcycyU

[wkhanna]

Nice, clean looking setup!

Those SDA's will definitely displace some cubic inches.

I would recommend you try experimenting with their placement. Try moving them away from the back wall and angle them in towards the center to start with and see what effect it has on soundstage, bass and imaging.

[renowilliams]

Thanks.....I already did that. Polk manual that came with the speakers originally states not to toe in the speakers. by placing the speakers closer to the wall behing increased base and sda effect.

[stuofsci02]

How are things in Peterborough neighbour?

[wkhanna]

Thanks.....I already did that. Polk manual that came with the speakers originally states not to toe in the speakers. by placing the speakers closer to the wall behing increased base and sda effect.

Dah! I'm a bit senile at times, forgive me.
That's what the Stereo Dimensional Array was all about!

http://www.polksda.com/pdfs/SDA1C.pdf

[StretchZep]

Sweet! Very nice setup!!!