Rotel vs Outlaw VS B and K

Home Theatre
Home Theatre Posts: 469
edited November 2006 in Electronics
Sound quality
Price


Who do you think is better in your experience? I have heard really good things about Rotel.
Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
Post edited by Home Theatre on
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited November 2006
    Your ears.
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  • Lowell_M
    Lowell_M Posts: 1,660
    edited November 2006
    I can only compare Outlaw to ADCOM and Parasound, but the Outlaw from a musical standpoint, doesn't bring the music alive any more than my H/K 635, which is a receiver with less than half of the rated power. There was a big difference in sound stage depth and clarity between the Outlaw and the ADCOM/Parasound amps. I was dissappointed in the Outlaws, although they are very popular here.

    The outlaws seem pretty good for HT though. Lots of reserve.

    Try to find a Polkie nearby that will let you do some side by side comparison. That is how I ended up jumping into external amplification.
    HT
    RTi70 mains
    CSi30 center
    RTi28 Rears
    Velodyne CHT-12
    H/K AVR-247
    ADCOM GFA-7000
    Samsung PN58B860
    Playstation 3
    2-Channel
    Polk Audio LSi15's
    Rotel RCD-1072
    Nakamichi CA-5 Pre
    ADCOM GFA-555
    Signal Cable Analog II IC's
    Signal Ultra Bi-Wire Speaker Cables
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  • read-alot
    read-alot Posts: 812
    edited November 2006
    They are all good companies. I went with B&K and never looked back.
    polkaudio SRS (rdo194 x 8)
    Dodd ELP (separate power supply)
    JC 1 blocks ( strapped )
    Rega Apollo
    MIT (speaker cables) Outlaw (ICs)

    polkaudio SDA2(rdo194x4) (front) polkaudio CRS (rdo194x4)(rear) polkaudio 400i (center)
    B&K 505
    Samsung LCD
    VIP 622
    HSU STF-2
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited November 2006
    I think it depends on what other components are in the equation. If you can, listen for yourself as it will make the final selection one that you will be totally happy with. They are all good, but you are the one spending the $$$.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    So here is what I am thinking Rotel makes a 200X5 amp. I really have no interest in 7.1 for a while. Although I do plan on buying a 7.1 Pioneer Elite.
    When 7.1 is more common, can I run all five speakers off the amp and
    the extra two for 7.1 off the receiver. Would you recommand this or just buy a 7.1 amp? Would there be a big difference in sound? I have also thought of just getting a 500X2 Rotel amp to give enough power to the RTi 10's or 12's and running everything else off the receiver.
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited November 2006
    Home Theatre wrote:
    So here is what I am thinking Rotel makes a 200X5 amp. I really have no interest in 7.1 for a while. Although I do plan on buying a 7.1 Pioneer Elite.
    When 7.1 is more common, can I run all five speakers off the amp and
    the extra two for 7.1 off the receiver. Would you recommand this or just buy a 7.1 amp? Would there be a big difference in sound? I have also thought of just getting a 500X2 Rotel amp to give enough power to the RTi 10's or 12's and running everything else off the receiver.

    really depends on your budget, and then getting the most out of it. with the RTi series, both your 5 channel amp with surrounds powerred by reciever and beefy 2 channel am with reciever powering surrounds are very plausible and doable. I would factor getting some seperate amplification for the center, its a very important component of home theater
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited November 2006
    I like my B&K ST-202 very much, although I really can't give good comparisons to Adcom and Parasound. . . it bests my lil carver amps and HK 635, for whatever that's worth. . .
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2006
    In general terms B&K gear is above the other two although each if them is a good choice. B&K, their HT receivers are outstanding.

    RT1
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2006
    Buy the 5 channel amp & be done with it! Quite a few people have gone up to 7 channels & then gone right back to having 5.
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2006
    sorry, are you comparing amps or pre/pro's?

    michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    McLoki wrote:
    sorry, are you comparing amps or pre/pro's?

    michael


    Amps

    Do they make a pre-amp with DTS, Dolby digital, THX and hdmi?
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2006
    Sure but not in the brands you listed.

    Outlaw - no THX
    Rotel - No HDMI (nor thx I think)
    B&K - no HDMI

    To get both THX and hdmi you are looking in the $3,000 range and up. (retail price)
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    McLoki wrote:
    Sure but not in the brands you listed.

    Outlaw - no THX
    Rotel - No HDMI (nor thx I think)
    B&K - no HDMI

    To get both THX and hdmi you are looking in the $3,000 range and up. (retail price)

    I will just buy a receiver with HMDI,DTS, DD, and THX with pre-outs and connect to an amp(5-channel). Is THX even worth it? I know THX is on Pixar and Star Wars.
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • MikeC78
    MikeC78 Posts: 2,315
    edited November 2006
    He could always use a newer model Pioneer Elite AVR as a pre-amp like I think he is talking about? They have all those features.
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    MikeC78 wrote:
    He could always use a newer model Pioneer Elite AVR as a pre-amp like I think he is talking about? They have all those features.


    That is exactly what I am going to do. Probably hook it up to a Rotel 500X2 or 200X5 amp.
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    Is Thx worth it?
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • Sami
    Sami Posts: 4,634
    edited November 2006
    Home Theatre wrote:
    Is Thx worth it?
    THX is a quality assurance (QA) system, not a format. I would say it's not worth the (possible) extra money, something without THX can be just as good or better. It doesn't hurt but all it means that THX Ltd. has certified it.
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited November 2006
    Rotel will have HDMI shortly, or at least they are supposed to, as announced at CEDIA. B&K doesn't have any HDMI yet, although I do enjoy the AVR507 very much.

    With the finalization of HDMI 1.3, companies like B&K might get in the game.

    As far as comparisons go, I've listened to the Rotel and B&K amps, and like both of them.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • Home Theatre
    Home Theatre Posts: 469
    edited November 2006
    Rotel has Hdmi on their receivers.
    Everything I own burned in the fire!!!!!!!!!!
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited November 2006
    Home Theatre wrote:
    Rotel has Hdmi on their receivers.

    Only on one of them.

    I like all the companies listed above. I think it's a matter of which one sound better with your speakers. I think B&K does things better then Rotel and Visa Versa.

    Generally B&K is a bit better then Rotel and Outlaw. I have heard a few Outlaw amps go on a few different speakers and I have mixed feelings. Rotel does fairly well with everything I have heard on them as well as B&K. I have owned both B&K and Rotel.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Refefer
    Refefer Posts: 1,280
    edited November 2006
    Every time I see a thread titled like this, the only thing I can think of is the beginning of a Mortal Combat match.

    Rotel vs Outlaw vs B&K

    ...

    FIGHT!

    Guess I wasn't of the understanding that Amp purchasing is a competitive sport.
    Lovin that music year after year.

    Main 2 Channel System

    Polk SDA-1B,
    Promitheus Audio TVC SE,
    Rotel RB-980BX,
    OPPO DV-970HD,
    Lite Audio DAC AH,
    IXOS XHA305 Interconnects

    Computer Rig

    Polk SDA CRS+,
    Creek Audio 5350 SE,
    Morrow Audio MA1 Interconnect,
    HRT Music Streamer II
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited November 2006
    I would definetely get a 7 channel amp, way better than a 5 channel, very easy to biamp your fronts.

    RT1
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited November 2006
    Hey Ted, I thought there wasn't much material to really utilize all seven channels.

    So are you suggesting just getting a 7 channel just so that you can biamp? If not, how is it so much better?
    Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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  • dmamsa
    dmamsa Posts: 80
    edited November 2006
    I would recommend a 7 channel amp also. The price differential is minimal. Buy a GOOD amp and you are done for a while...upgrade the receivers/pre-pro as tech changes.
    Lsi9s front
    LsiC center
    artison surrounds and surround back
    Panny XP30 DVD player
    HD-DVD - Toshiba HD-A1
    B&K 507
    SVS CS Ultra (powered by samson 1000)
    Pioneer 503CMX plasma
    Panny PT-AE900U proector
    Lumagen HDQ video processor
    Monster HTS 5100
    Dish Network VIP211
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