Rotel digital vs analog amps

Pwrmx24
Pwrmx24 Posts: 26
edited December 2007 in Electronics
Hey I 've posted several new threads in the last couple of days and I can't say thanks enough for the words back...

I read somewhere that Rotel shifted from analog to digital amplification.

Has that been a good or bad thing?

also anybody have a comaprison on the Rotel 1080 vs 1095?
Post edited by Pwrmx24 on
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    It is neither good or bad just different. And Rotel still has analog amps. It is simply adding digital to the mix.

    I wasn't at all impressed with their 7 channel 100wpc digital amp. But I did like their 500wpc mono & stereo amps.

    Alas they continue to put out a new 5 channel 100wpc digital amp. Rather than putting out something in the middle say 250wpc.
    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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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    If youre going Rotel Icepower stereo or Mono amps I highly suggest you check out D-sonic. Both amps use the same ASP monoblocks made by B&O. There are a few others that offer very nice products, Red Dragons, Bel Canto. Check them out here, I went with D-Sonic due to the appealing prices they offer. My RTi12s are very happy to say the least and they sound very good. When I get a sec, I'll open it up and take a few snap shots.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icepower
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    Zero wrote: »
    In short; the Rotel class D amps are t3h suxor. Stay clear. I rarely jump to such harsh conclusions about any piece of gear - but there is just no excuse for that rubbish they put out. It sounds like broken glass. Go with their regular class A/B amp's.

    I wouldnt say they're that bad, Ive read some good reviews on the class D stuff from rotel. In general I read quite a few impressive reviews on class D amps.

    http://6moons.com/industryfeatures/icepower/icepower.html
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,282
    edited December 2007
    I did a A B comparsion and found the Analog amps to sound more natural. The Digital amps are nice and dymanic , there clear and clean but something wasn't right. I believe warmth something like a nice tube amp sound. there was no comfort in the tone. I didn't care for it.

    I heard it on B&W cm7's and N804's

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited December 2007
    I've had my 1077 for a year and I'm perfectly happy with it. They did require some break in time to get some dynamics out. It had very weak bass at first but it all got better after a week of heavy use. I prefer the added clarity and detail over extra warmth.

    If warmth is a big factor for you, digital is not your path.
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • Pwrmx24
    Pwrmx24 Posts: 26
    edited December 2007
    OK thanks.

    Just a point of clarification. (since I'm new to seperates) What makes the amp analog? Is any amp w/ torodial transformers analog?

    If so then the 1095 and 1080 are both analog.....right?
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited December 2007
    The new Rotels using the ICEpower are not true digital amps. I replaced my RB-1070 with a RB-1092 amp and could not be happier. I also replaced my RC-1070 pre with a RC-1090 pre. The RB-1092 did require about 50 hrs of run in time. IMHO, for the price, these new amps are a knockout for Rotel. The $2200 I spent for 500w/ch is well worth it to me. My next step up will be to Classe and that equivalent jump will cost about $10000. I am using these Rotels to power my B&W N804 & ASW800 sub. A very nice match.
    [
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  • Pwrmx24
    Pwrmx24 Posts: 26
    edited December 2007
    I am going to go listen to the 1095 and 1080 on saturday.

    Stats are one thing but listening is another.

    I noticed that the only difference in the stats is the 1080 has a damping factor is 1000 and the 1095 is 400.

    Is that important?

    Will I be able to tell any diff w/ my LSi-15's?
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited December 2007
    Will D class amp be the new amp designs? I don't think so, they have there place but I don't think it will replace A-B amp designs.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    If you are powering your LSI's with a receiver or a lesser powered amp, than YES you will see a big improvement!
    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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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2007
    miner wrote: »
    The new Rotels using the ICEpower are not true digital amps.
    Actually the ICEpower modules are as digital (class D) as it gets.;)
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Pwrmx24
    Pwrmx24 Posts: 26
    edited December 2007
    Cfrizz,
    The 1095 and 1080 are both 200wpc @ 8ohm only one is 2 ch and the other 5.

    Thanks for the help. I guess my ? still is if you had to choose betweeen a damping factor of 1000 or 400 which would be better and am I really going to tell the difference w/ my LSi15's?

    BTW one of my LSi15's arrived today.....
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Actually the ICEpower modules are as digital (class D) as it gets.;)

    I have to agree here, but they provide tremendous power and they do sound very good. I would suggest Icepower amps to anyone looking to buy an amp on the forum. They run cool, sound good and wont break the bank. I paid 1495 shipped and received a fine piece of gear, 525 watts @ 8 ohms, 1100 watts @ 4 ohms. Thats way more than enough for any speaker you throw at it. Im not an ICEpimp but B&O modules do the trick and perform very well.

    you can find specs here:

    http://www.icepower.bang-olufsen.com/files/solutions/icepower1000aspdata.pdf
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited December 2007
    Sherardp wrote: »
    they provide tremendous power and they do sound very good. I would suggest Icepower amps to anyone looking to buy an amp on the forum. They run cool, sound good and wont break the bank. I paid 1495 shipped and received a fine piece of gear, 525 watts @ 8 ohms, 1100 watts @ 4 ohms. Thats way more than enough for any speaker you throw at it. Im not an ICEpimp but B&O modules do the trick and perform very well.
    Yes they are powerful cosidering their compact size and being 90% efficient waste little of their power to heat.However like most audio products I have heard reports of some really liking them and others not so much.Its a system synergy and personal taste thing.I currently use an ICE ASP250 module for subwoofer duties and it performs that task nicely.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    GV#27 wrote: »
    Yes they are powerful cosidering their compact size and being 90% efficient waste little of their power to heat.However like most audio products I have heard reports of some really liking them and others not so much.Its a system synergy and personal taste thing.I currently use an ICE ASP250 module for subwoofer duties and it performs that task nicely.

    +1 I agree with you. We all have different tastes.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
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  • cfrizz
    cfrizz Posts: 13,415
    edited December 2007
    I know nothing about damping factors so I can't help you there.

    Pwrmx24 wrote: »
    Cfrizz,
    The 1095 and 1080 are both 200wpc @ 8ohm only one is 2 ch and the other 5.

    Thanks for the help. I guess my ? still is if you had to choose betweeen a damping factor of 1000 or 400 which would be better and am I really going to tell the difference w/ my LSi15's?

    BTW one of my LSi15's arrived today.....
    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited December 2007
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showpost.php?p=711872&postcount=28
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited December 2007
    Damping Factor is the amp ability to stop a driver in motion. So let's state it like this when the amp says stop the woofer stops, the higher # here the better.

    Another thing to look like is the Slew Factor again higher is better.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


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  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited December 2007
    Digital is the only way to go if you're thinking in green/environmental terms. They consume less power and raw materials compared to their big and heavy counterparts.;)
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited December 2007
    I know very little about specs and their translation to sound, but I learned recently that my Belles 350a has a damping factor > 2000. Well, if there's an amp that can control bass, this is it.
    _________________________________________________
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  • Pwrmx24
    Pwrmx24 Posts: 26
    edited December 2007
    Well my CD's weren't stolen from my McMasion or my Jaguar........




    They were in my truck and we were in the process of moving.
    They were in the back of the truck in a box and secure....so I thought.


    BTW....I don't own a McMansion or a Jag.......but I do have an old Ford.


    My system:
    2xLSi-15's (the second one came today!)
    1x Onik TX-80 from 1989, 33wpc (sad, I Know)
    2x Bose 301 (Series II) Boy am I looking forward to hooking the LSi-15's up to something.....anything...
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