RSX-1056 vs. Class D Amplification

[bandit788]

Question in short: Are all of you audiophiles happy with Class D amplification, compared to the older toroidal type amplification?

I have been putting off the purchase of a new receiver for nearly five years because I have always wanted a RSX-1056 to power my B&W 603's surround setup in our living room. However I finally wish to go HDMI. I have a 7.1 setup with the 603's bi-wired, the matching center and matching in ceiling/in walls to boot. When I purchased the B&W's I auditioned them with the Rotel RSX-1056, but due to my budget back then I purchased a Denon AVR-885 (2105) 90wx7 channels and have used it every since. The sound is good, but it has never sounded like the speakers did when pushed by the Rotel RSX-1056 at the store. I really wish to upgrade to a expensive receiver with HDMI options, but Rotel and everything else seems to be Class D amplification, not the older toroidal type amplification like the RSX-1056. Just nervous that the RSX-1560 is not going to have the sound that the RSX-1056 had. I remember the warmth and clarity no matter how hard I pushed my B&W's.

I have considered just buying a RSX-1056 and another pair of 603's to get that sound, and then just getting a nice receiver with HDMI to replace the Denon in our living room.

Thanks in advance for any input guys...and girls.

Shane

[srb]

You might want to also consider the RSX-1550 which has a similar 5 X 75W/ch Class AB amplifier section as the RSX-1056.

If you later decide to upgrade or want 7.1 amplification, the savings over the RSX-1560 would get you halfway there (or all the way there, if used) to a nice separate Class AB 2-channel power amplifier for the front 2 channels, which would have more power than either Rotel receiver.

Unless you just prefer to have one component instead of two, which is also understandable.

Steve

[madmac]

I understand you predicament!. There's no way the Denon is going to compete with Rotel in terms of sound and music performance. I would check into the new HDMI enabled Rotel receivers because I believe they use the same amps as the older one's.......but I could be mistaken. You have to decide if music is more important than movies really. If music performance is your thing, HDMI becomes less important in my opinion. I have the RSX-1057 and it completely rocks for music. Plain jane DD and DTS is fine with me for movies. I had a high end Yamaha before my Rotel and when I hooked up the Rotel to my speakers it was like hearing my music in a new way. The difference in sound was profound to say the least!!.

[srb]

I would check into the new HDMI enabled Rotel receivers because I believe they use the same amps as the older one's.......but I could be mistaken.

The RSX-1550 has a Class AB amplifier, 75W X 5 channels

The RSX-1560 has a Class D amplifier, 100W X 7 channels

Steve

[madmac]

I would audition them and decide for yourself. Your ears are the best judge.

[bandit788]

Thank you all for your input, I think after careful consideration I am gonna go with a Rotel Two channel amp to connect to a Pioneer Elite Receiver until Rotel comes out with there next generation of receivers. They seem to have all the latest technology, and with the pre outs I can get my Rotel sound to my fronts.
Thanks again