Rotel Seperates

deronb1

Just scored a Rotel RMB 1066 multi-channel amp. Was thinking of pairing it with the RSP-1066 and parting with the Pio. I know I will lose DTS HD Master Audio and all that, but I am thinking I can live with DTS ES. I'm about 60/40 music, if not higher, so was thinking this would be a better piece for music. Thoughts?

tonyb

Personally I think it's a lateral move. For me Rotel and B&W don't match up too well. You would need a warmer sounding amp imho.

Why not try the amp with the pioneer first, see how you like it before running out and buying the processor. If you really want to up your game in the music department, look for a 2 channel pre amp, tube preferably.

deronb1

I will get the amp thursday and give it a go with the pio. Our local hi-end shop guy swears by rotel and b&w. I have demoed a few combinations and I like the synergy. I think b&w, rotel and classe are all the same company family now. Had a Parasound amp, and really liked it, but sold it during our move.

nguyendot

Yeah I've never been real partial to my Rotel Pre-amps. They're pretty boring to say the least. There's no sparkle, nothing that stands out. I have the RSP-1068 right now, and I had one two years ago. Both...just boring boring boring.
I had the 2 channel rc-1070 and sold it as I was just not in love with it. I have the amps though, and those are beasts. RMB-1095 and RMB-1075.

deronb1

Thanks for the input. Need to get a pre/pro though if i do anything. Finding a tube model might prove to be difficult.

nguyendot

deronb1 wrote: »

Thanks for the input. Need to get a pre/pro though if i do anything. Finding a tube model might prove to be difficult.

Yeah dude I *wanted* the Rotel Preamps to be greater but they just weren't. The matching set looks awesome but the performance was just not at the level I expected for the brand. Even my Yamaha 2 channel pre was better sounding.

tonyb

SS pre/pro's to look at that offer up fantastic sound quality......Anthem, Cary....their older models may not have all the bells and whistles of their modern day brothers, but will beat the pants off any lesser pre/pro.

On a tight budget....look for an older Proceed pre/pro. Those can still kick some **** and take some names even on todays standards. You can also find a Krell Statement pre/pro at reasonable prices, another fine piece. Many others I'm sure that escape me at the moment.

Personally, I really dug the Cary 11a when I had an ear on it. Great sound....fantastic even. Older Anthem 30's too....not a slouch among these I mentioned.

deronb1

Thats great Tony thanks. Was looking at the B&K Ref 30 as well. Those can be had fairly reasonable.

tonyb

deronb1 wrote: »

Thats great Tony thanks. Was looking at the B&K Ref 30 as well. Those can be had fairly reasonable.

Absolutely.....another damn fine pre/pro. Ref 50....even better. And....if you had a BDP with analog outputs, you wouldn't need to sacrifice DTS HD master audio either.

tonyb

Offer this dude 6 bones, and I'll pick it up for you.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/ele/4237376336.html

Marantz makes some good sounding pre/pro's too....this one is fairly newer.

deronb1

That looks sweet, but a little more than I wan't to go right now. Hoping to stay around 3 bills.

PSOVLSK

For $300 I don't think you'll do much better than the Pio you've got...not without giving up something on the HT side of things anyway.

deronb1

PSOVLSK wrote: »

For $300 I don't think you'll do much better than the Pio you've got...not without giving up something on the HT side of things anyway.

Afraid of that. Think I might try a B&K Ref 50 and compare. Could probably flip it fairly easily if it doesn't fit the bill. Thanks

tonyb

300 clams for a SS pre pro.....B&K IS your best option.

deronb1

tonyb wrote: »

300 clams for a SS pre pro.....B&K IS your best option.

Sounds like it. Will try the new amp out on the Pio first though. May sound great and won't have to worry about it.