rc 1070

[Bigmoney]

Can anyone comment on the characteristics of the rotel 1070 preamp. Would it be the best match for a rotel 1080, and a big step up over the preout sectionon a massmarket receiver???

[oaqm]

Feature-heavy, it is not, but it will pair up very nicely with the 1080 amplifier.

It should be a definite improvement over the mass-market stuff, but I hesitate to use a word like "big" (one man's huge is another man's embarrassment, if you know what I mean, and I think you do).

[Bigmoney]

I just purchased the rc 1070 today. It is a little bright and fairly forward. However the sound is much clearer and a much large soundstage. I prefer the way it sounds by turning the contour switch to the left once. This lowers the treble by two and the bass by one db. By doing this the sound seems less bright to me. Is there anything wrong with using the contour switch for anything other than off. Thereby, like an equalizer...

[Brett A]

Congrats on your purchase!

My first serious rig was an RA 1060 integrated. It provided a level of detail, definition and accuracy that I was quite thrilled with. It also had very impressive clean, well extended bass. The forwardness, however, is something Rotels are commonly known for. It was my experience too.

I prefer the way it sounds by turning the contour switch to the left once. This lowers the treble by two and the bass by one db.

The contour knob doesn't actually cut any frequencies, only boosts them.
From the manual:

OFF: the tone contour circuits are bypassed
to ensure the purest possible sound.
L-1: moderate increase in bass frequencies
(typically +3dB @ 100Hz).
L-2: more increase in bass frequencies (typically
+4dB @ 100Hz).
H: moderate increase in high frequencies
(+3dB @ 10kHz).
LH: combination of L-2 bass and H high frequency
increases.

Is there anything wrong with using the contour switch for anything other than off. Thereby, like an equalizer...

It's commonly held that using no tone control is better than some tone control. That said, you should listen where you like it. That's what it's there for. And the Rotel provides tone control essentially with a switch, not with a potentially messy rheostat. (when you turn the contour knob, it actually slides a switch on the circuit board behind it in a linear path between its four stops.)

I think you now own some pretty top-notch equipment. If you are inclined to spend more money dialing it in, I'd suggest looking into room treatments. This has been some of the most value-per-dollar spending I've done on my system and can affect some of the qualities that seem to still be bothering you. Check out ATS acoustics. They offer great prices and service. (I'm a satisfied customer, that's all).
http://www.atsacoustics.com/

Also, what are you running for interconnects?

[Bigmoney]

I am using a acoustic research pro 2 series and a stock interconnect from the cdp to the pre. I am only using the stock unitl my bluejeans cable comes in which is 3 feet long. The acoustic research is 6 feet long. I already have about 50 square feet of absorption panels in my room. I think I am pleased with the rotel clarity and detail and fast tight bass. Therefore I would like to keep it.........are there any other suggestions to making a system sound warmer..........interconnects?.................... ....cdp more specifically marantz 5001 I hear is warm?.............power cords?.................etc.

[Brett A]

I have had fun and success tuning my system with interconnects. I bought my Siltech New Yorks when I had the Rotel amp on the recommendation of my local dealer, Jim at Sprearit Sound (Siltech and Rotel are good together he said, and he was right). They were an upgrade from the various $30 cables I had owned up to that point (Tara Labs, Custom House, Straight). They were a significant outlay of cash (by my standard) but I may never want to upgrade them.

I upgraded my power cables pretty much last. The difference was subtle but noticeable and mostly affected depth and breadth of soundstage and detail retrieval, not overall coloration or general comfort level.

I didn't realize you already had adsorptions panels. I have mine behind the speakers. I found that is where they make the most improvement in my room.

[Ajani]

I just purchased the rc 1070 today. It is a little bright and fairly forward. However the sound is much clearer and a much large soundstage. I prefer the way it sounds by turning the contour switch to the left once. This lowers the treble by two and the bass by one db. By doing this the sound seems less bright to me. Is there anything wrong with using the contour switch for anything other than off. Thereby, like an equalizer...

Congratulations.... enjoy your new setup....

[Bigmoney]

Why do some say, then, that all interconnects sound the same. While some report vast differences. It seems impossible for both people to have such different opinions.

[oaqm]

It seems impossible for both people to have such different opinions.

Pepsi - Coke
Chocolate - Vanilla
Republican - Democrat
Glass half full - Glass half empty
Duke - Carolina
Ford - Chevrolet
Tubes - Solid State

Abortion, the death penalty, home schooling, global warming, religion.... one thing you can say for us humans, we achieve the "impossible" with great regularity. Which reminds me of a nursery rhyme:

Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
I'm schizophrenic
And so am I.

[Brett A]

Why do some say, then, that all interconnects sound the same. While some report vast differences. It seems impossible for both people to have such different opinions.

I wish there was a clear and simple answer to that question.

Among those engaged in our hobby, there seems to be two camps. One that believes audio engineering is strictly a science, and that if it cannot be measured, it cannot be heard; if you hear a difference, then your ears are playing tricks on you. This group dismisses perception and believes in science to tell them the truth. -they buy $12 cables

The other camp believes there is art involved in putting all this together and that even though some differences cannot be measured, there is still an obvious and dependable difference. This group believes there is something in addition to science and the ears are what tells them the truth. -they buy $1,200 cables

It's a rich and passionate debate involving matters such as "truth" "proof" and "perception"
Personally, I think which side of this debate a person falls on is predetermined. I think the world-view we bring to it inclines us as to one view or the other (but I digress).


Welcome to the Great Debate. Try not to lose any sleep over it.

[TheHills44060]

Be careful with the RC-1070 because it is really sensitive to static electricity...i just had mine blow in December (did some research and found this is way too common for this piece). Went to turn the volume down and ZAP...dead. Some functions work kinda and others are just dead. Of course this was just 1 month after the 5 year warranty ended so i was extremely pissed. It was a decent preamp for the price but I expected to get more than 5 damned years out of the thing. For this reason alone i would never ever recommend it. I have a Rotel RB-991 amp and it's treated me well for 8 years.

Ended replacing the 1070 with a McIntosh C220.