Need Rotel AMP Input

Marty913

I'm interested in any experiences with either Rotel RMB-1075 or RB-985 multi-channel (5) amps used with SDA 2's or similar. My thinking (and is may be all off) is:

They are affordable, handle 4 - 6 ohm loads), quiet/cool, and are readily available on the used market. They also avoid the non-common ground issues.

Another strong possibility is a Carver AV-705X. Better or Worse than the Rotels?

I'm trying to put together a relatively inexpensive system (HT & Stereo) that will convince some of my misguided (but well-meaning) renegade relatives that the Yellow Brick Road of audio does NOT end at Best Buy. :eek:

Input welcome.

cfrizz

LOL! Welcome Marty. I don't have any experience those particular amps, but I do know that Rotel makes excellent gear. So no worries there.

Jonesy

I've been running a 985mkII in my main rig for a few years now and have absolutely no complaints. You're right, they are a relative bargain given their performance/price ratio. I haven't heard SDA's on it but it runs my center and surrounds beautifully. The 991 on my mains was a steal as well. Good gear.

Marty913

anonymouse wrote: »

I have a Rotel 991 which I used to power my 1C's. The Rotel did a fine job, but Rotel's do have a tendency to be a touch on the brighter side. The 991 does a fantastic job with my LSi9's, but I felt a powerful tube amp was the way to go with SDA's. I listened to the same pair of 1C's on a tube rig and they sounded astoundingly better.

Thanks anonymouse (and Jonesy) for the Rotel comments. I too think the value is definitely there but I think you've also hit on the main concern I have. It's that "brightness thing".

For years back in the 90's I drove my now-departed 2.3tl's with NAD PE-2200's (AI cable required). Crystal clear and a little laid back. I loved it. I also experimented with Rotels and B & K which were also great but slightly brighter. My house had a lot of old wood floors and carpet so the slightly brighter sound didn't bother me. Now I'm in a house with a LOT of tile floors and a 14 foot sloped ceiling so I'm concerned.

It may have to be something I just play around with. If I were limiting myself to 2-channel I would probably go back to NAD and just put up with the AI cable. With 5-channel I think I'm more comfortable with Rotel or Carver. I've heard (read) that the Carver's have a little more laid back sound but have no personal experience. Anybody running Carver's with SDA'?

Right now (depending on EBay), my pecking order is probably Carver AV-705X, and then the Rotel RB-985. If I can't find one of those at a reasonable price, I may look at Outlaw.

I do appreciate the input and value opinions from anyone using Rotel, Carver, or similar sounding amp/pre-amps with SDA speakers.

MattN03

While the Rotel RB-985 is my first amp, I've been very happy with it. It's helped tone down the brightness of my RTi8's. I actually bi-amped the RTi8's feeding them 200 watts each and sending the CSi5 100 watts from the Rotel center channel. I'd rather have all the fronts powered by the same amount of watts, but it's worked well for my budget system.

Marty913

MattN03 wrote: »

While the Rotel RB-985 is my first amp, I've been very happy with it. It's helped tone down the brightness of my RTi8's. I actually bi-amped the RTi8's feeding them 200 watts each and sending the CSi5 100 watts from the Rotel center channel. I'd rather have all the fronts powered by the same amount of watts, but it's worked well for my budget system.

MattN01, thanks I feel a little better about the 985. If you don't mind I have a couple other questions about your setup.

Are you using the HK as a pre-pro? If so how's that working out. I have an HK-AVR-240 receiver I'm thinking about using as a temporary pre-amp.

What's you opinion of the CSi5 center? I was thinking about a CSi3.

Last, would you describe your room as hard (wood, tile, little furniture) or soft (carpet, drapes, big couch, etc.).

Thanks for your help.

Ron Temple

I've been switching amps back and forth on my 1Cs for the last few months. First a Carver TFM35, loved it, very laid back, but transparent and textured. The Carver went down and I put in a borrowed Luxman M-117, very similar at the top, but the Lux had a much deeper and wider midrange and more powerful bass. Last, I borrowed one of fredv's Adcom GFA555s, a nice amp top to bottom, but too revealing to my taste and all the instruments seemed on the same plane. I've swapped them all around and settled on the Luxman as my choice for the fronts and put the Carver on the surrounds. It's a nice sounding amp for sure, I've just gotten used to the similar, but more powerful Luxman sound.

I don't believe the 705 shares the same modded characteristics as the TFM amps, but all Carver's that I've read about are noted for being laid back. If that's what you prefer then it's a great match with the SDAs.

MattN03

Marty913 wrote: »

MattN01, thanks I feel a little better about the 985. If you don't mind I have a couple other questions about your setup.

Are you using the HK as a pre-pro? If so how's that working out. I have an HK-AVR-240 receiver I'm thinking about using as a temporary pre-amp.

What's you opinion of the CSi5 center? I was thinking about a CSi3.

Last, would you describe your room as hard (wood, tile, little furniture) or soft (carpet, drapes, big couch, etc.).

Thanks for your help.

I am using the HK as a pre-pro w/o any issues except the rears. The rear FXi5's are still powered by the HK. This has worked fine for me. I like the CSi5, but have never heard a CSi3 so I can't compare I'm afraid. I wanted to get the biggest center so I wouldn't feel the urge to upgrade later. The CSi5 is a big speaker dimensionally, so be sure you have room to place the sucker! Here are a few pics of our old house with the system hooked up. The living room opened into the kitchen one one side, the dining room on the other, and then the hallway & bedrooms behind the TV so it was a fairly open area. The users showcase had these pictures, but for some reason they're not viewable even though I have "visible" checked.

Marty913

My thanks to all of you (especially MattN03 for the great pictures). You all pretty much confirmed that either Carver or Rotel would be a starting point.

Toward that end, last night I bought a Carver AV-705X on EBay for a reasonable price and will start with that. There are currently no Rotel's around but I plan on keeping my eyes open for one.

I think I'll use the HK for a pre/pro for a while.

Onward to center channels although I think I'll wait until the amp and SDA 2's arrive.

MattN03

Marty913 wrote: »

My thanks to all of you (especially MattN03 for the great pictures). You all pretty much confirmed that either Carver or Rotel would be a starting point.

Toward that end, last night I bought a Carver AV-705X on EBay for a reasonable price and will start with that. There are currently no Rotel's around but I plan on keeping my eyes open for one.

I think I'll use the HK for a pre/pro for a while.

Onward to center channels although I think I'll wait until the amp and SDA 2's arrive.

Glad to be of some help. Post up pics when you get your new gear setup! Enjoy!!