Which one should I keep?

[hery19]

I currently have a Denon AVR-3311CI and a Rotel RSP-1069. The Denon is being used as a prepro connected to a Rotel RMB-1077 driving B&W CM4s, CMC, and CM2s.
I like the convenience of having the Denon with the Audyssey XT and internet radio but always wondering if I'm missing out with true separates that I have. What do you guys think?

Eddie

[JDH]

Have you done a critical comparison with music between the 3311CI and RSP-1069, that should give you the answer. I've previously owned the RSP-1069 and thought it pretty good for two channel music, its a trade off between features vs sound quality.

JDH

[hery19]

Have you done a critical comparison with music between the 3311CI and RSP-1069, that should give you the answer. I've previously owned the RSP-1069 and thought it pretty good for two channel music, its a trade off between features vs sound quality.

JDH

It's been a while since I had the 1069 hooked up. Might have to do that in the near future. Just have to find the time. Thanks!

[PewterTA]

Yes I would hook the Rotel back up and see what you think about the sound quality. I would think the 2ch should be better. But if you like all the HT functionality of the Denon then you have to decide between all the functionality or possibly a better sound.

I personally don't use all the bells and whistles Denon gives you so I went with Rotel. Now I'm thinking Classe as my next step. ha ha.

[hery19]

Yes I would hook the Rotel back up and see what you think about the sound quality. I would think the 2ch should be better. But if you like all the HT functionality of the Denon then you have to decide between all the functionality or possibly a better sound.

I personally don't use all the bells and whistles Denon gives you so I went with Rotel. Now I'm thinking Classe as my next step. ha ha.

I wish I was choosing Classe instead! The one thing that the Denon got going is room correction. When I took out the Rotel I didn't tune it correctly especially the bass was lackIng.

[mjb]

I would imagine the Rotel will win on sound quality, but the the Denon on features. Features are mostly useful for a reviewers check box style comparison table. Auto room correction, for example, sounds like a great idea but most people will tell you they get better results doing it manually. Remember long-term you're going to listen to it, not play with it, so I'd concentrate on the sound quality first and foremost.

[hery19]

I would imagine the Rotel will win on sound quality, but the the Denon on features. Features are mostly useful for a reviewers check box style comparison table. Auto room correction, for example, sounds like a great idea but most people will tell you they get better results doing it manually. Remember long-term you're going to listen to it, not play with it, so I'd concentrate on the sound quality first and foremost.

You're right! I really don't mess around with much of the features. Everybody mentions 2 ch stereo, what about TV and moving watching? Do you think the Rotel will better the Denon once it is properly calibrated with the Radio Shack SPL meter?
Thanks Mike! :T

[madmac]

You're right! I really don't mess around with much of the features. Everybody mentions 2 ch stereo, what about TV and moving watching? Do you think the Rotel will better the Denon once it is properly calibrated with the Radio Shack SPL meter?
Thanks Mike! :T

In a word....Yes :T

[hery19]

In a word....Yes :T

That is really nice to hear! The big mistake I made when calibrating with the meter was, I calibrated all the speakers to 75 db and the sub to 85 db and left it at that. When I listened to blurays it lacked bass but the bass setting on the 1069 didn't help. Any suggestions to avoid the same mistake again?

[stuofsci02]

You're right! I really don't mess around with much of the features. Everybody mentions 2 ch stereo, what about TV and moving watching? Do you think the Rotel will better the Denon once it is properly calibrated with the Radio Shack SPL meter?
Thanks Mike! :T

Keep in mind also that the Denon has the HD Audio Codecs for DTS HD and Dolby TrueHD while the Rotel does not.. How does this translate for movies on your system? Only you can say.

If you have a Blueray that can decode and analog ouput then this point is moot.

Cheers

[hery19]

Keep in mind also that the Denon has the HD Audio Codecs for DTS HD and Dolby TrueHD while the Rotel does not.. How does this translate for movies on your system? Only you can say.

If you have a Blueray that can decode and analog ouput then this point is moot.

Cheers

I have an Oppo Bdp-93 being delivered soon! Will let it decode the new formats and send LPCM. So I hope this setup will sound better than the Denon as!

[stuofsci02]

I have an Oppo Bdp-93 being delivered soon! Will let it decode the new formats and send LPCM. So I hope this setup will sound better than the Denon as!

In order to use the HD codecs I believe you will need to use the analog outputs on the Oppo to the analog inputs on the Denon/Rotel.

If you can do this, then I would be inclined to ditch the Denon and keep the Rotel.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Blindamood]

In order to use the HD codecs I believe you will need to use the analog outputs on the Oppo to the analog inputs on the Denon/Rotel.

If you can do this, then I would be inclined to ditch the Denon and keep the Rotel.

Cheers,

Stuart

Stuart, congratulations on your 1000th post!

Doesn't the RSP-1069 allow multi-channel PCM to pass via HDMI, however?
Edit: Nevermind, looks like video only with HDMI 1.1. Been too long, I guess...

[Kevin D]

Stuart, congratulations on your 1000th post!

Doesn't the RSP-1069 allow multi-channel PCM to pass via HDMI, however?
Edit: Nevermind, looks like video only with HDMI 1.1. Been too long, I guess...

Actually, the 1069 does allow sound, including multi-channel PCM through HDMI.

Kevin D.

[stuofsci02]

Stuart, congratulations on your 1000th post!

Thanks... I never noticed until you pointed it out!

[hery19]

Thanks... I never noticed until you pointed it out!

Congrats Stuart! The Oppo scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, should have everything hooked up this weekend! Will let you guys know the verdict.

[Blindamood]

Actually, the 1069 does allow sound, including multi-channel PCM through HDMI.

Kevin D.

Cool. I would have thought so, but looking over the manual, it mentioned only video via HDMI.

[madmac]

That is really nice to hear! The big mistake I made when calibrating with the meter was, I calibrated all the speakers to 75 db and the sub to 85 db and left it at that. When I listened to blurays it lacked bass but the bass setting on the 1069 didn't help. Any suggestions to avoid the same mistake again?

Bass is a tricky thing and that aspect of the sound is best done using music as your guide. I would not use a SPL meter for subs/ bass. Put on some simple jazz music that uses a stand up, acoustic bass and adjust the sub/s so that the bass sounds right and is balanced with the rest of the musicians. When the bass is set right for music, it will be set right for home theater as well. :T

[madmac]

Also.....I would use the Oppo for the Hi Def sound conversion via it's analog outs. That is an excellent player with great DAC conversion.

[hery19]

Also.....I would use the Oppo for the Hi Def sound conversion via it's analog outs. That is an excellent player with great DAC conversion.

I was planning on using HDMI for Bluray movies to have the Oppo decode hidef sound and coaxial bistreamed for CD listening to let the Rotel decode it but you're saying the analog outs would be a better option?

[hery19]

Bass is a tricky thing and that aspect of the sound is best done using music as your guide. I would not use a SPL meter for subs/ bass. Put on some simple jazz music that uses a stand up, acoustic bass and adjust the sub/s so that the bass sounds right and is balanced with the rest of the musicians. When the bass is set right for music, it will be set right for home theater as well. :T

Thanks for the suggestion! I will definitely do that this time :T

[stuofsci02]

I was planning on using HDMI for Bluray movies to have the Oppo decode hidef sound and coaxial bistreamed for CD listening to let the Rotel decode it but you're saying the analog outs would be a better option?

The analog outputs on the Oppo are quite excellent... Even on the 93..

But if you can try both, you can be the judge...

[hery19]

The analog outputs on the Oppo are quite excellent... Even on the 93..

But if you can try both, you can be the judge...

Looks like I have my work cut out for this weekend... Wife permitting!!