Rotel Amp/SC Cable review
janmike
Posts: 6,146
This is a continuation of the previous Post Rotel Amps.
Previous "Rotel Amps" Link
Not sure if this is the correct category, oh well!
I thought I would do a review of the upgrades I have been doing. Although I have been doing it in bits & pieces, it is my way of evaluating and selecting various upgrades (separates & cables) with the aim to improve the various components & segments of my audio world, as I know it. I am still learning. These improvements include:
1) Mid-Range
2) Treble
3) Bass
4) Soundstage
I will start will the SC Analog Twos with Bullet Plugs.
The very first thing I did was replace the fibre connection between the Marantz CPD and the Yamaha AVR. The music selection was simple.
Can You Feel The Love Tonight Elton John
Angel Sarah McLachlan
Piano Man Billy Joel
Copperhead Road Steve Earl
California Dreamin The Mamas & Papas
My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion
What I immediately noticed was a dramatic improvement in the clarity. The MID-RANGE was extremely clear. The low, subtle almost unnoticeable hum was not there and the BASS was more pronounced. I had heard it before, but my wife said she could not hear it. Those were interesting conversations, to say the least. I understand that the connection type changed, so I think being made aware of the processing capabilities in one piece of equipment versus another was a learning experience. Therefore, my recourse was to connect some cheap RCA ICs from Radio Shack that were lying around. No comparison. There was a dramatic difference. Goodbye RS ICs.
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN MID-RANGE & BASS (IMO)
The next step was to change the power cord of the Yamaha AVR. The new SC Magic-Power Digital/Video cord seems to smooth the brightness out of the Yamaha. The term warmness came to mind and I did not feel as though I had to adjust the bass and treble.
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN BASS & TREBLE (IMO)
Last step was to connect the Rotel RB1080 amp with the new SC ICs & the SC Magic Power Cord. Holly Sh&*! Man, I was looking for a way to take the next day off work. What a difference! The very first thing I noticed was the substantial improvement in the Treble, the Soundstage and, obviously, the power. The tambourine sound in Can You Feel The Love Tonight seems to be all around me. It was full-bodied and it is coming from somewhere, but where? Not bad for only 2 so-so speakers. Two days later, my neighbor commented on how nice my stereo sounded.
Sorry, I said, did I have it too loud!!?
No, just crank it up when ever you like, he replied.
Adding the amp to drive the two front speakers gave substantial improvement to my HT as the Yamaha is now only driving the rears & centre channel. Maybe a RB1075 would assist this side as well. Hmmmmmm!
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN SOUNDSTAGE & TREBLE (IMO)
The products from Signal Cable may not be for everyone, but I, for one, have found great overall improvement from their products. They carry a quality product professionally manufactured, with superior termination and extremely price competitive. Top that off with a knowledgeable person who provides recommendations for YOUR system. The customer service is top notch. One concept emerges from all these factors repeat business.
Overall, this has been a great improvement to my system. I am still working on improving the Marantz cpd by doing a few mods. This will do before the separate 2 CH room comes into play. (Dont tell the wife, Proac, Jolida ; time to save a few more $$$) Again, thanks to all the Polk people that offered their knowledge. They helped this still newbie gain additional understanding, insight and a self-fulfilling feeling when listening to music.
Previous "Rotel Amps" Link
Not sure if this is the correct category, oh well!
I thought I would do a review of the upgrades I have been doing. Although I have been doing it in bits & pieces, it is my way of evaluating and selecting various upgrades (separates & cables) with the aim to improve the various components & segments of my audio world, as I know it. I am still learning. These improvements include:
1) Mid-Range
2) Treble
3) Bass
4) Soundstage
I will start will the SC Analog Twos with Bullet Plugs.
The very first thing I did was replace the fibre connection between the Marantz CPD and the Yamaha AVR. The music selection was simple.
Can You Feel The Love Tonight Elton John
Angel Sarah McLachlan
Piano Man Billy Joel
Copperhead Road Steve Earl
California Dreamin The Mamas & Papas
My Heart Will Go On Celine Dion
What I immediately noticed was a dramatic improvement in the clarity. The MID-RANGE was extremely clear. The low, subtle almost unnoticeable hum was not there and the BASS was more pronounced. I had heard it before, but my wife said she could not hear it. Those were interesting conversations, to say the least. I understand that the connection type changed, so I think being made aware of the processing capabilities in one piece of equipment versus another was a learning experience. Therefore, my recourse was to connect some cheap RCA ICs from Radio Shack that were lying around. No comparison. There was a dramatic difference. Goodbye RS ICs.
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN MID-RANGE & BASS (IMO)
The next step was to change the power cord of the Yamaha AVR. The new SC Magic-Power Digital/Video cord seems to smooth the brightness out of the Yamaha. The term warmness came to mind and I did not feel as though I had to adjust the bass and treble.
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN BASS & TREBLE (IMO)
Last step was to connect the Rotel RB1080 amp with the new SC ICs & the SC Magic Power Cord. Holly Sh&*! Man, I was looking for a way to take the next day off work. What a difference! The very first thing I noticed was the substantial improvement in the Treble, the Soundstage and, obviously, the power. The tambourine sound in Can You Feel The Love Tonight seems to be all around me. It was full-bodied and it is coming from somewhere, but where? Not bad for only 2 so-so speakers. Two days later, my neighbor commented on how nice my stereo sounded.
Sorry, I said, did I have it too loud!!?
No, just crank it up when ever you like, he replied.
Adding the amp to drive the two front speakers gave substantial improvement to my HT as the Yamaha is now only driving the rears & centre channel. Maybe a RB1075 would assist this side as well. Hmmmmmm!
RESULT: IMPROVEMENT IN SOUNDSTAGE & TREBLE (IMO)
The products from Signal Cable may not be for everyone, but I, for one, have found great overall improvement from their products. They carry a quality product professionally manufactured, with superior termination and extremely price competitive. Top that off with a knowledgeable person who provides recommendations for YOUR system. The customer service is top notch. One concept emerges from all these factors repeat business.
Overall, this has been a great improvement to my system. I am still working on improving the Marantz cpd by doing a few mods. This will do before the separate 2 CH room comes into play. (Dont tell the wife, Proac, Jolida ; time to save a few more $$$) Again, thanks to all the Polk people that offered their knowledge. They helped this still newbie gain additional understanding, insight and a self-fulfilling feeling when listening to music.
Michael 
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
Post edited by janmike on
Comments
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Great review. Glad to hear you got such a big improvement in sound from SC gear. That's what this hobby is all about -- experimentation. Feels good when it all comes together, doesn't it?HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
Good review and I'm glad all the changes have worked out for you, I knew you'd like going to the RCA cables vs the digital. There is one thing that concerns me though, Celine Dion
Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
It does feel good.
F1, I have 2 people that need to be happy in this house. The equation is SHE IS HAPPY = ABILITY TO EXPERIMENT. Not the quadratic equation, but it works for me. Thanks for the help Jesse.Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60° -
LOL......that's the right answer Michael. I'm no longer concerned about you.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
F1 -- leave janmike alone. I have a couple of Celine Dion CDs myself. Some of her songs are wonderful.:)There is one thing that concerns me though, Celine DionHT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
:eek:Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
Rock On Janmike....ah nothing like a Canadian with a hard-on for American products
CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint. -
Celine has a hard on????
Nice write up, jm...More later,
Tour...
Vox Copuli
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. - Old English Proverb
"Death doesn't come with a Uhaul." - Dennis Gardner
"It's easy to get lost in price vs performance vs ego vs illusion." - doro
"There is a certain entertainment value in ripping the occaisonal (sic) buttmunch..." - TroyD -
Just keep on drinking that good old Canadian water. Could I get you another truck full Sir?Michael
In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
NORTH of 60°
