B&K AV5000 vs Rotel 1075
Lego1
Posts: 62
Which amp do you guys prefer? I like a nice warm sounding amp a bit rolled off the highs. Which is a better match for my LS90? Had the LS90s powered with an Adcom 555 but found the combo to be a bit bright. I heard both of these amps are on the warm and smooth side. I believe the Rotel has the larger toroid transformer and more capacity. They have similar power ratings but the B&K is rated at 1khz.
Basically, I'm currently running the B&K AV5000 with my LS90, CS350LS, and LS/FX, and I saw the Rotel 1075 show up on Craigslist for a good deal. I'm wondering if the Rotel would power the speakers better and sound better than the B&K I currently have. Is it worth selling the B&K AV5000 and getting the Rotel?
Basically, I'm currently running the B&K AV5000 with my LS90, CS350LS, and LS/FX, and I saw the Rotel 1075 show up on Craigslist for a good deal. I'm wondering if the Rotel would power the speakers better and sound better than the B&K I currently have. Is it worth selling the B&K AV5000 and getting the Rotel?
Post edited by Lego1 on
Comments
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...Is it worth selling the B&K AV5000 and getting the Rotel?
I have no experience with either amp, but I'd recommend getting the Rotel, comparing them with your own ears, and then selling whichever one loses.2-Channel: PC > Schiit Eitr > Audio Research DAC-8 > Audio Research LS-26 > Pass Labs X-250.5 > Magnepan 3.7's
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My personal preference having owned 2ch amps from both manufacturers is to go B&K. The just have a smoother sound to my ears.
As far as build quality, they are pretty even. -
What pre-amp and source are you using? What pre-amp were you using with the Adcom? Cables?
My guess is a sideways move.
H9"Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul! -
Hey Lego. I owned the AV5000 (actually the 6 channel model, the AV6000) for a few years before upgrading. I also owned ADCOM 555s. However I've never had that exact Rotel, but I must say that I have never had a Rotel that I particularly cared for at their price. The AV5000 is definitely warmer. If you don't particularly care for the analytical voicing of thee 555, you will likely enjoy the B&K much better. That B&K amp is very nice, and sounded identical, to my ears, to the B&K reference 125.2 (Which I also owned). I have a friend that found my 555s (i had 2 running in mono) too sharp, but he loved the B&K. Definitely mellow. Good luck either way!design is where science and art break even.
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Sounds good. Guess I will keep the b&k. I am happy with how it sounds, just didnt know if rotels are warmer or not. Since this is for my ht and music, I am using the pioneer 1018 for the pre. I've read on here that I can use a dedicated 2 channel preamp for 2 channel and then put it in aux mode and use the pioneer for 5.1 ht. How would i go about hooking that up? Also, what is a nice warm sounding preamp? Im looking for used items.
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H9, i used the pioneer 1018 as the preamp in both cases. Ran the adcom 555 with the 1018. Using monoprice 12 guage wire for speaker cables and some dayton audio interconnects. The source was my panasonic bluray player. I know it would sound much better with a dedicated cd player, dac, and better cables, but I use the system mostly for ht which the adcom was great for, but i found i was having alot of listening fatigue due to the sharp highs.
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Why not try a different more laid back speaker?
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You know I was thinking of getting the lsi7 or 9s since they are very well priced. My room is 15x25 and partially opens up to another 8x8 room. Also, I have a sectional against the longer wall so i could only have the speakers out a foot or so away from the wall.
Will the 7s be enough for the room or is the room too large for them? I heard the lsi have a small sweet spot. I usually have people over when I watch movies and need speakers that can sound good not only in the sweet spot, but everywhere in front of them. -
on another note, i heard my friend's b&w 685 on his rotel integrated amp. He was using his ps3 to play music. It sounded really good. Alot of midbass and rolled off the highs. I listened for a good half hour and did not have any listeners fatigue.
How do the lsi compare to the b&w 685? -
Both amps are fantastic . B&K is probably a warmer sound , actually it is as I have owned many from both companies.
It really depends on the speakers which is better. I would never say B&K is better then Rotel or visa vera except when the given speakers match better.
For older polks I think I would lean towards to B&K amp. The Rotel might show off more of the flaws in the highs as the B&K will bring out the mid range a bit more and shadow over the highs enough to make those speakers seem more balanced. Rotel doesn't forgive if you will. They play it as it is and thats it.Dan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
on another note, i heard my friend's b&w 685 on his rotel integrated amp. He was using his ps3 to play music. It sounded really good. Alot of midbass and rolled off the highs. I listened for a good half hour and did not have any listeners fatigue.
How do the lsi compare to the b&w 685?
Haven't heard the 685's but I have heard the CM series and liked them better than the LSI's. I did feel the higher end B&W's diamond tweeter was bright when listening to music, but the CM series was much better.
IMO the speakers make the biggest difference. I would find a speaker more laid back and make that a starting point. -
Thanks Mantis. I think I'm going to keep the B&K. I already replaced the caps in it with Elna Silmic 2 which should give it more of a warmer sound and I replaced the film caps in the amp with nichicon film caps. Bypassed the main large ps caps with dayton film caps. Just letting them burn in.
Still wondering about the LSI speakers though. Do you guys think my 15x25x8 room is too big for the Lsi7 for front speakers? -
I would be interested in hearing more details about your re-capping and your thoughts on the result. My B&K may need re-capping soon.
Thanks,
Jer.
[The Ever-Evolving System
LSI15's (PNF Symphony cabels, modded X-Over and subs), LSIC, LSI7's, Rega Apollo CDP (PNF ICON ICs, modified PS cct.), Yamaha RXV-1700 w/ ipod dock, B&K REF200.2 (fronts) Samsung BDP-1600, XBOX360, Patriot Box Office Media Player, 42" Samsung LCD.
