Assistance on upgrade to Rotel

[jakeg]

I am in the slow process of upgrading my home theater over the past two years. I have a dedicated room with no ambient light, 14x24. I am using a Mitsubishi 65" HDTV with an "acoustic wall" built around it and my speakers behind the wall (one inch thick plywood, one inch soundboard, one half inch foam, covered with acoustic fabric) that goes wall to wall and floor to ceiling. Floor is carpeted and one wall is book shelves.

My equipment listing is:

B&W 603 series 2 fronts
B&W LCR 600 series 2 center
B&W LM1 rear surrounds
Velodyne HGS 12 sub
Pioneer Elite DVD player DV-37
Pioneer Elite VSX-26TX integrated a/v amplifier

As a next step, I would like to really improve my audio delivery, and the local salesman I deal with suggest moving up to Rotel's RMB-1095 amp, and either the RSP-1098 or RSP-1068 preamp/processor. I am new to Rotel and would appreciate advice from any Rotel owners on a course of action. Thanks for your help on this first posting on your excellent forum page.

Jakeg

[miagi]

If you have any plans towards 7.1, i would go for the cheaper RMB1075 amp, and then purchase a good stereo amp to use with your fronts. (The RMB1095 might be a little overkill for 4 x LM1 and 1 x LCR600 in a 7.1 setup)

I have been comparing the RSP1068 and the RSP1098, and to be honest i couldn´t tell the difference. - If you don´t have any need for the TFT on the 1098, you should consider the 1068 (That leaves you with even more cash for a good stereo amp


I have resently purchased the RSP-1068, RMB1075 and 2 x (Tri amp monoblock´s) for my frontspeakers.

/Miagi

[Andrew Pratt]

I'd suggest you go with the 1075 5 channel amp for the centre and surrounds and get the 1080 for the fronts. That'll be about the same $ as the 1095 but give you more channels and a slightly better 2 channel sound. As for the pre amps the 1068 and 1098 apparently sound very close so give them both a listen and see if the feature list of the 1098 warrants the extra cost to you.

[aud19]

Totally agree with what Andrew said especially re: the amps. Have fun! :T

Jason

[jakeg]

Thanks to all and one last question

I really appreciate the advice on the Rotel amp/processor upgrade, and will be heading back to the dealership armed with good information now that I have heard from you and followed up with a bit more research.

I think one more question might be useful though to all of you before I do that: From your experience, is the upgrade to the Rotel pairing the correct next step, or would you consider adding another velodyne HGS 12 sub or upgrading the B&W LM1 surrounds? I am trying to proceed on a priortized budget and can only do so much at a time. Appreciate any thoughts before plunking down my credit card. Thanks.

Jakeg

[aud19]

Definitely amp & pre/pro :T If anything I'd save to upgrade your front and centres to a higher B&W series and move your existing speakers rearward after You could then use the 1080 for your mains, 1075 to bi-amp your centre and power your surrounds and rear centre. :P Then the second sub.

Jason

[Andrew Pratt]

Well that's an interesting question...its generally thought that in order of priority you'd start with the room, then speakers, then sources, amps and lastly pre amp...but there's always a weak link in your system and the trick is to find that weakest link and upgrade that first. In your case I'd do the amps or speakers first as both will be a significant improvement over what you're running now. For the biggest bang for the buck just add a 1080 amp and new front speakers then move the current fronts to the surround position. I'd then add the 1075 power amp followed by either a new matching centre to the new fronts or a new pre amp.

[Rock Dog]

I would suggest the pre/pro and amp first. When I moved from my reciever to the ROTEL separates, I noticed a big improvement in how my speakers sounded and behaved. The imaging and soundstage, seperation and clarity changed for the better. It was almost as if I got new speakers as well. And I'm not the only one here to have noticed this difference.

So maybe go with the power and control first. You may find that your speakers become a whole different animal, and you get performance you never new you had.

I myself started out with the 1066/1095. I later added a set of center rears which I am driving with the channels of the 1095 that the mains were on. I went out and got a 1080 to drive the mains, and haven't looked back. I just picked up the 1068, in place of the 1066. And even though it's got to break in, I've already noticed quite a bit of difference. I'm trying to get a handle on all the configuration stuff right now.