Rotel RB1070 is coming to power my LSi9

Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,583
edited August 2005 in Speakers
I heard the RB1070 power a pair of $3000 BW 70x speakers (I forgot the number) vs my HK330.

Boy... there was a definite difference! In imaging, in separation, in black-ness of notes, in soundstage width and dimensionality. The Rotel just gave BW what I would call.... FOCUS and LIFE! The HK330, on the other hand, had the BW speakers playing to the tune of "this isnt impressing me".

I should've brought my LSi9s to the store, but I didnt.

I settled on the 1070 because I feel that 200w @ 4ohms is enough for the 9s (for ANY bookshelf for that matter) and I didnt feel the need to splurge on the 1080 or anything greater.

I'll be selling my HK330 and using my Headamp GS1 as my preamplifier.

The GS1 is a $750 headphone amp/preamp based on a discreet circuit and pure class A input/output.... so I am pretty sure it will handle the load real well.

If not, then I guess I'm off to get the Rotel RC1070 preamp... but I dont think I'll be needing to.

Countdown... 1 week until delivery! ;)
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,204
    edited August 2005
    Joey that's great to hear, congrats on the purchase. Your Lsi-9's will love the power that Rotel will deliver. Seperates really are the way to go especially with such a great speaker like the 9's.

    Enjoy and report back

    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!
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    You can bet that I'll report back!

    :)
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • PolknPepsi
    PolknPepsi Posts: 781
    edited August 2005
    Yep....
    200 watts ought to light those bookshelf speakers up. :)
    Denon #2900, Denon stereo receiver, Conrad Johnson Sonographe 120 amp, Blue Jeans cables, and Klipsch RF-7's
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  • unbridled_id
    unbridled_id Posts: 179
    edited August 2005
    How much did the amp run you ?
    The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

    Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
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  • marker
    marker Posts: 1,084
    edited August 2005
    Congrats!
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited August 2005
    Nice purchase. Congrats. I know I like my Rotel 1080 and am looking to add another Rotel.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited August 2005
    I'm another Rotel owner and can't find any reason to get rid of them.
    I own the Rotel RMB1095 monster.

    DAn
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Crazed
    Crazed Posts: 60
    edited August 2005
    I just added the big guy to power the Gallos and moved the 1070 to co-power the woofers. Nice match! :p
    Main System:
    PreAmp: Rotel 1098 with MF X-10v3
    Amp: Rotel 1090, 1075, 1070
    Source: Pro-Ject RM9 with Blackbird Cart., Denon 2900 with MF X-DACv3
    Speakers: Gallo Ref 3s (LR), Gallo Due (C, SR, SL), Gallo Micro (RR, RL)


    Second System:
    Receiver: H/K AVR 630
    Source: Pioneer 563
    Speakers: Polk RTi10s (LR), CSi5 (C), RTR 200 (SR, SL)
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited August 2005
    Right now, you don't have a clue what your 9's sound like. Like drinking a thick shake from McD's through a coffee straw. Wait til you put that amp on it. WOW! My amp is giving my 9's about 150w @ 4 and I couldn't be happier. I loved my rotel stereo amp I put on it and it was about 200-220/ch @ 4 but I needed multichannel. Congrats!
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    unbridled_id wrote:
    How much did the amp run you ?

    It ran me $430 from ebay. The seller will include the receipt so I can be covered by warranty. Also, the RB1070 is in excellent condition (so he says) and includes all original documentation and box/packaging.

    I am stoked!

    I want to hear the *subtle* improvement that it will do to my 9s... boy o boy!! :D

    Next stop... I'm selling my LSi7! Going 2.1 only baby!
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited August 2005
    2 channel didn't last long for me. When I upgraded to Lsi15's years ago, I started with 2 channel and found myself loving it. It wears off quicky and 5.1 will soon be at your feet.
    I tried it again when I upgraded my speakers and found that I'm a home theater guy as well as a 2 channel guy. I like my cake.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited August 2005
    Congrats Joey. I'm using the 1070 to power my RT2000's. It's a cool running amp. Plenty of power for me. Until the next upgrade that is. :D
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited August 2005
    very nice theater del44

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited August 2005
    Thanks Mantis, Still a work in progress. Next up, a new display. Maybe FP.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Got the 1070 a few days ago and the LSi9 improvement is substantial. Better coherence and bass hit. Focus is improved too. Imaging is better down the center.

    However, I am auditioning some Sonus Faber (concerto and concertino) speakers (in my room) and it might seem.... sadly, I might be going to that side of the camp.

    We'll see. Things may change my mind.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    I have no experience with the Dyns... but that's what this speaker hobby is about. Incremental steps towards better audio I suppose. Right now, my heart is pretty set on the Sonus Faber Concerto Home (in ooh/ahh inducing piano black - not oldy walnut).

    Sigh.....
    47b5d629b3127cce9318e978657400000016108AatnDJo5ZNm

    :D

    The Rotel certainly perked up the Concerto's vocal presentation, bringing it more down center and more in focus. In addition, a little bit forward. There is oomph and transient quickness in bass reproduction. I am digging these speakers!

    I have the LSi9s and the SF in the same room and am switching between the two randomly.

    If I could keep both, I would.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited August 2005
    I did the demo between the Sonus Fabers and the Lsi's, the SF's handed them there ****. I wasn't cool with that but it's what I heard. SF's are incredible sounding speakers when powered correctly.
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    SF's when powered with the Rotel is a level better than when powered with just the HK. So good... sooo good.

    I wont write a review this time around because I feel that I cant be subjective AND objective enough. My viewpoint changes as I learn and experience more in this hobby and it isnt fair to review on what I feel is the best at the moment because I might have to eat my words the next time I hear a better speaker. I realize that this is the pitfall of writing reviews.

    However, I will say this: I have enjoyed my LSi9 for a long time and will always be a Polkie at heart.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Yup, the SF are here to stay. The LSi9s are for sale in the FleaMarket and then ebay if it doesnt sell here.

    Polkies get dibs first.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • unbridled_id
    unbridled_id Posts: 179
    edited August 2005
    What is it the fabers do better than the lsi's ? The fabers have one woofer and the lsi's have 2, so is it a safe assumption that the lsi's bass goes a bit lower ?
    The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

    Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited August 2005
    clarity and depth.
    The Lsi's are killer sounding Polk speakers, The SF's are the next level. At one time I considered buying the SF's. More drivers don't equal better sound or deeper bass.
    Have you listened to a pair of SF's??? Really neutral deep sounding speakers. I like em alot.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    My Concertos are on their way from a dealer in Singapore.... I'll report to you about the bass question when I get them.

    The Concertinos, however, outdo the 9s in bass quality - quicker and more transient, but not bass quantity... the 9s win here.

    The Tinos, IMO, have a more natural sounding midrange than the 9s. The piano sounds closer to a real piano and a guitar sounds closer to what a real guitar sounds like. The vocals still retain that sweetness, but is a little lighter in weight.

    Sibilance is slightly more pronounced in the Tinos, but I'm not sure if I'm noticing it more since it has less bass output than the 9s. I'm hoping to get less of this with the Concertos.

    That's my experience so far.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Zero,

    Thanks for the mention.

    I know they arent SPL monsters and I dont know if they would be as great for HT use (let me rephrase, I dont think they would be as great in HT as they are for 2 ch). However, for 2 channel listening at decent volume (upwards to 90db), I find that they are very adept.

    I dont really listen much louder than this.

    I am beginning to realize that in the future, I may need 2 setups - one just for HT and one for 2 channel listening. Something like the Sonus Fabers are great for 2 ch listening but for HT, I might need more grunt than purely SQ. Something along the lines of the Klipsch THX Speakers have caught my eye.

    But, that's quite a few years away. Let me graduate first. :)
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • unbridled_id
    unbridled_id Posts: 179
    edited August 2005
    "My Concertos are on their way from a dealer in Singapore". I assume you went with an overseas deal"er because of the deal he gave you...???
    The greatest enemy of truth is very often not the lie - deliberate, contrived and dishonest - but the myth - persistent, persuasive and unrealistic.

    Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince.
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    unbridled_id wrote:
    "My Concertos are on their way from a dealer in Singapore". I assume you went with an overseas deal"er because of the deal he gave you...???

    I cant find them anywhere near me and SF dealers outside my state dont deliver or ship.

    I met a friend online and he sent me a pair for 1200$. Much less than the $2200 that they charge for it.
    Zero wrote:
    Joey,

    Cool beans. What can I say - you're a lucky kid. :)


    BTW, THANKS Zero! Always there to help me out... *hug*.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited August 2005
    I have a Rotel RB-1070 amp & RC-1070 preamp powering a pair of B&W Nautilus 804s. I am very happy with my Rotel equipment - only problem is just one set of speaker outs so for now my Polk RT20p will have to sit unitl I get a speaker junction box.
    [
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    The 804s are very nice speakers! Congrats on a very good choice!!

    The Rotel 1070 is a very good amp with peak amperage of about 50 amperes. What is surprising is that the RB1080 has peak current of about 120 amperes.... talk about dynamics! I speak of this since I just talked to a Rotel rep today and these are some specs he shared with me.
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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  • del44
    del44 Posts: 686
    edited August 2005
    Some say that the extra $300 for the RB-1080 is money well spent. If I could exchange my RB-1070 and pay the $300 I might go for it. Not that there's anything wrong with the 1070. Always looking for more power, right. One good thing in favor of the 1070 is the fact that I have not heard of a single problem with this amp. The 1080 has/had issues blowing fuses.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited August 2005
    Some of the 1080's have the fuse problem and other do not. My 1080 has never had a fuse problem.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,583
    edited August 2005
    Thats the beauty of the RB1070.... there arent many complaints about the fuse. This is exactly why I didnt go for a used 1080 instead. =)
    Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
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