rotel rmb 1075 b&k pre/pro

[torontoml]

hey guys

this is my first post but i have been looking for awhile. I was looking at rotel suff but thought i might not need it juat get another reciver and be done with it. Today i came across a B&k ref20 for $400cnd and couldnt pass it up brand new in the box. It is a very old pre/pro it does dts. dd, and dpl but only does composite video out. I only watch movies with this system and it is 5.1 and i run component stright to my pj anyway.

1) does rotel and b&k match well

2) was buying this pre/pro a dumb idea

3) what is the least money you would spend on cables to join the pre/pro to the amp

4) i am looking at the 1075 and i have energy c5 for my mains is this enough power

5) i will end up spending about $2000cnd on this system for the pre/pro and amp. do you guys think this will out preform a $2000cnd reciever

i hope i notice a difference between the $400 reciver i have now and this system

i dont have a lot of money so keep this in mind with seggestions the price of the b&k is what made this affordable to me.

thanks of the help guys
shaun

[Aussie Geoff]

Some answers for you - Welcome to the world of separates!

Saun,

1) Does Rotel and B&K match well

I haven’t hear the B&K Ref 20 with the Rotel but there are some older posts in hometheaterforum.com that suggest it works well. Basically the RMB-1075 is a very flexible 5 channel amplifier that mates well with most pre-processors and receivers. I know you will like it.

2) Was buying this pre/pro a dumb idea

$400 is a fair price. Older Pre-Pros devalue like bad cheese. I think this is a good way to enter into separates. I believe that it is likely you will upgrade the B&K later for a more up-to date processor – but something like the Rotel RSP-1068 (over $2000 Canadian) or the B&K Ref 50 (ditto) is a big step up from $400 Canadian. So you should get at least a couple of years happy listening out of the B&K before you need to upgrade.

3) What is the least money you would spend on cables to join the pre/pro to the amp

Contact HT Guide owner Lex (aka Doug) at www.catcables.com he will set you up nicely.

4) I am looking at the 1075 and i have energy c5 for my mains is this enough power

Yes. The Energy C5 are relatively efficient and the 1075 will make them sing. If you go 7 channel one day and get a better pre-pro then you may want to get a RMB-1080 then for stereo. But right now you will be fine.

5) I will end up spending about $2000cnd on this system for the pre/pro and amp. do you guys think this will out preform a $2000cnd receiver

Absolutely – will beat most mass market receivers (Sony, Denon, Pioneer etc) for dynamics, imaging etc. Main loss will be in the modern format of Dolby Pro-Logic II (which is great for TV, Cable etc. Here you could have considered the Rotel RSX-1056 which will give you the modern formats etc (75w a channel). I believe this is available for < $2000 Canadian (its about $1299 USA). But then you wouldn’t be in the world of separates….

I hope I notice a difference between the $400 receiver i have now and this system

You will fall off your chair when you put on your first DVD or CD.

Geoff

[aud19]

Welcome Shaun

1- I haven't heard that particular combo either but you should have no problems as both companies make very nice products and they should play nice together

2- Totally not! As Geoff mentioned you won't have a couple of new processing formats but if that's not a huge concern to you, you're getting in to seperates for a pretty darn low price and all the bennefits that entails. (Including not having to upgrade your amp, just the processor, when you do decide to get a newer pre/pro).

3- Well the least money you could spend is to get some cheap Rat-Shack cables... :throwup: But I HIGHLY recommend against that. Check out the Cat Cables link Geoff mentioned. Doug makes excellent products at reasonable rates. He'll even recommend specific cables/parts based on your equipment, tastes and budget. You shouldn't spend $20 on your cables but you don't have to spend thousands either

4- I'm running C-9 mains, C-5 rears and a C-C3 centre off of my 1075 with no problems, so you should be fine :T Rotels power ratings are VERY honest! I do hope to upgrade to a 1080 as Geoff mentioned just for extra juice and to possibly go 7.1 but it's more that I want it, not that I need it...lol.

5/6- Absolutely it will outperform an equivelantly priced receiver from any of the mass-market companies. As Geoff eluded too the Rotel 1056 might be a good option for you but it's up to you if you want to give up the extra power and likely better imaging, dynamics etc of the seperates for a warranty and DPLII...?

You will fall off your chair when you put on your first DVD or CD.

:lol: Well put Geoff! I totally agree! I mean I came from a Yamaha RX-V1 which is a good step up from a $400 receiver (try $3000 dollar receiver!) and I fell off my chair...lol

Jason

[torontoml]

good to hear

thanks guys

i dont care about new formats i only have room for 5.1 so all i want is dd and dts i never use all those dps modes i just want good sound from the pre/pro

just one more question

is there anything besides cables and the amp that i have forgot to budget for?


thanks so much guys. i am a young guy(22) and cant afford alot but still want some nice stuff and it sounds like i will be ok

thanks again
does stereo equiptment get anyone else giddy:d