Rotel RMB-1095 multi-channel amp
pearsall001
Posts: 5,324
First off I must confess that I was never a fan of multi-channel amps, don't ask me why but I just was. But as time moved on I found myself drifting more & more over to the HT side as opposed to 2 channel. Now don't get me wrong, two channel is still important...just not as important as HT now. Who knows though that might again change.
Now that I've had the RMB for over two months now I can honestly say that my thought process was well off course. I probably should have done this long ago. This amp sounds fantastic as I'm spinning a BD disc or just chilling in two channel mode. One aspect that was a real surprise was the new found sound coming from my center. I was running an Outlaw M2200 monoblock which I thought performed very well. Not any more, from dialog to music the center is as if it's been reborn. My two mains as well as surrounds are also benefiting from the RMB-1095.
Nothing too technical as you can tell...but never the less I am very glad I finally have a multi-channel amp running my system. I'm still wondering what took me so long to figure this out!!!
Now that I've had the RMB for over two months now I can honestly say that my thought process was well off course. I probably should have done this long ago. This amp sounds fantastic as I'm spinning a BD disc or just chilling in two channel mode. One aspect that was a real surprise was the new found sound coming from my center. I was running an Outlaw M2200 monoblock which I thought performed very well. Not any more, from dialog to music the center is as if it's been reborn. My two mains as well as surrounds are also benefiting from the RMB-1095.
Nothing too technical as you can tell...but never the less I am very glad I finally have a multi-channel amp running my system. I'm still wondering what took me so long to figure this out!!!
Post edited by pearsall001 on
Comments
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Congrats Phil. And I can tell you exactly what took you so long.
Most of us listen too much & let the "purists" in this hobby influence our thinking and opinions way too much.
When I first came on here, everyone was into HT & man amps. Now more than half have decided that HT sucks & it's not real if there aren't tubes and only 2 channels involved.
The common belief is that separates are better than receivers, and for the most part this is true. I have had both & will stick with separates.
Now some insist that not only are separates better, but you HAVE to have 2 separate systems with more weight given to 2 channel music.
Then to further segregate things, if you want the purist sound then you should have either 2 channels or all mono-blocks for all speakers. This will supposedly sound much better than a 5-7 channel amplifier.
Now if you have the space & outlets & money for all that gear, go for it.
As for me, I'm way to practical for this way of thinking, I don't care who espouses the thoughts.
So what you have learned, is while you listen to other opinions, if your gut is telling you to do something else, then listen to your gut. In the end, YOU are the one who has to live with the results, not anyone else. And while they might not totally approve,YOU may well be very happy with the end result, just as you are right now.
Enjoy your new amp Phil.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 -
As a former owner of that amp , I can attest it's one hell of a power amp. Let mono block shake in their independent chassis.
The so called "purists" well that has a lot to be learned. All leave it at that.
Back to the amp , you probably will never need a better amp for any speaker package you throw at it. Years ago when it first came out , we compared it to Krell Theater Standard amps and I was pleased with the way it held up to a full Martin Logan panel 5 channel system. Amazing amount of power and the ability to control.
I would absolutely own another if the need arises again
I as you also always chased a music theater system , when I decided to get a more "theater" theater system , I have never been more happy with my system.
Enjoy the amp Phil and stop by the shop anytime.
DanDan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
Congrats Phil. And I can tell you exactly what took you so long.
Most of us listen too much & let the "purists" in this hobby influence our thinking and opinions way too much.
When I first came on here, everyone was into HT & man amps. Now more than half have decided that HT sucks & it's not real if there aren't tubes and only 2 channels involved.
The common belief is that separates are better than receivers, and for the most part this is true. I have had both & will stick with separates.
Now some insist that not only are separates better, but you HAVE to have 2 separate systems with more weight given to 2 channel music.
Then to further segregate things, if you want the purist sound then you should have either 2 channels or all mono-blocks for all speakers. This will supposedly sound much better than a 5-7 channel amplifier.
Now if you have the space & outlets & money for all that gear, go for it.
As for me, I'm way to practical for this way of thinking, I don't care who espouses the thoughts.
So what you have learned, is while you listen to other opinions, if your gut is telling you to do something else, then listen to your gut. In the end, YOU are the one who has to live with the results, not anyone else. And while they might not totally approve,YOU may well be very happy with the end result, just as you are right now.
Enjoy your new amp Phil.
Good stuff Cathy!! I've traveled many of those roads & learned a lot in my travels. For now I'm at a nice rest stop & enjoying every minute of it. -
As a former owner of that amp , I can attest it's one hell of a power amp. Let mono block shake in their independent chassis.
The so called "purists" well that has a lot to be learned. All leave it at that.
Back to the amp , you probably will never need a better amp for any speaker package you throw at it. Years ago when it first came out , we compared it to Krell Theater Standard amps and I was pleased with the way it held up to a full Martin Logan panel 5 channel system. Amazing amount of power and the ability to control.
I would absolutely own another if the need arises again
I as you also always chased a music theater system , when I decided to get a more "theater" theater system , I have never been more happy with my system.
Enjoy the amp Phil and stop by the shop anytime.
Dan
Happy as a pig in you know what with this bad boy amp! I'd love to make another trip back to your store. Hopefully soon. -
I like RMB-1095 and I would have keep it if the chassis is not too high. I can't stack amps with RMB-1095 in my rack so I sold it.
I wish I kept it. It's ONE AWESOME amp for both HT and Music.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
I like RMB-1095 and I would have keep it if the chassis is not too high. I can't stack amps with RMB-1095 in my rack so I sold it.
I wish I kept it. It's ONE AWESOME amp for both HT and Music.
It sure is one big mother...especially in it's height. I can see where you ran into problems trying to stack on it. -
I would love to have a rack of all Rotel gear, but I can't manage the weight of that 1095. But I will always have at least one peice of gear from Rotel in my rack. right now its the RCD-1072.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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Congrats on the amp!!! I have been wanting to get one to replace my XPA-3, maybe soon.
Cathy I love having a dedicated 2 channel set-up and a dedicated HT set-up
I know all of us can't do so (space and money) there is no way I can put my SDA's in my HT rig and 2 channel is where it's at for me as I listen to more music then watch movies. I guess I don't understand the purist's comment just because one likes two channel over HT and one has moved on in listening pleasure.
You always have great things to say when helping one out from what you have learned along the way, and even though some take jabs a one another (most for fun) my self included at times in the end it's all about enjoying music and movies, and of course new toys...
Peace....
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I would love to have a rack of all Rotel gear, but I can't manage the weight of that 1095. But I will always have at least one peice of gear from Rotel in my rack. right now its the RCD-1072.
If I told you how much it weighs...your back would hurt just thinking about it! Your Sunfire is a great amp & manageable weight wise. This Rotel comes with wheels to help you move it about. But that doesn't help with lifting though. Trust me this puppy isn't moving from it's perch. -
TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »Congrats on the amp!!! I have been wanting to get one to replace my XPA-3, maybe soon.
Cathy I love having a dedicated 2 channel set-up and a dedicated HT set-up I know all of us can't do so (space and money) there is no way I can put my SDA's in my HT rig and 2 channel is where it's at for me as I listen to more music then watch movies. I guess I don't understand the purist's comment just because one likes two channel over HT and one has moved on in listening pleasure.
You always have great things to say when helping one out from what you have learned along the way, and even though some take jabs a one another (most for fun) my self included at times in the end it's all about enjoying music and movies, and of course new toys...
Peace....
The inference that you are making above is that listening to 2 channel music on a combined system is somehow not as pleasurable. Is your HT system somehow NOT capable of playing only 2 channel music? If not then why do you make the distinction between the 2 and implying one is more pleasurable than the other?
It's not so much that you have 2 systems, it's that you make it sound that one simply isn't any good for music.
My system is used for both & I use is 95% for music. So music is where it's at for me as well, and the music sounds just great even though it is also used for HT as well.
It is these distinctions that you and others make regarding the gear that tends to alert my "purists" alert radar.
Enjoy your weekend.:)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 -
Ms. Frizz,
I think it's something hard to explain about the requirement of dedicated HT room and dedicated 2 channel music room. Even if my HT room sounds awesome, I love to have a dedicated 2 channel room. I guess it' the hobby thing and the pure enjoyment of listening in a different room.
But you said it right. We could have done with one system for both HT and music. I listen to multi-channel music in HT room and it's just as good as my 2 channel room(s).
It's not coz one is more pleasure than the other. But yeah, most folks here like the idea of 2 channel room with better gears in it. Once again, it's kinda hobby things than purists approach. But I am guilty as charged if my explanation is your definition of a purists. Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
pearsall001 wrote: »It sure is one big mother...especially in it's height. I can see where you ran into problems trying to stack on it.
Yeah Phil! I can't stack anything on top of RMB-1095. Besides, my amp overheats when I tried stacking anything on top of it. It loves good ventilation and proper air flow is a must.
The RMB-1095 and RMB-1090 (2 channel) amps are two Rotel best amps you could buy these days. I don't know about newer Rotel Class D amps though.Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin: -
I'm not saying I can't listen to music in my HT rig as I do now and then. I do have a multi channel SACD player in my HT rig. What I'm saying is my SDA's will not fit in my HT rig and I like having a dedicated 2 channel rig. If I had the room to tie them together I might just try it out. I'm also not saying you can't enjoy music on a HT rig that would just be stupid. And just because I prefer to enjoy my music on my 2 channel rig, well if that makes me a purist then I'm guilty as charged..
Enjoy your weekend as well Cathy;)
