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  1. #1
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    Will power improve sound?

    At the present time i have a Rotel entry model RB 1050 Amp and a Rotel RC 1070 pre amp. I am pleased with the sound but am considering going to a RB 1090. Questions: L. would this improve the over all sound of my system? 2.Would my pre am limit the benefit of a larger amp ? Thanks for any help you can give. JNorth1178

  2. #2
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Hey Northy, What are your listening habits? Speakers, IC, wires, CDP/Turntables are you using? Your room size? What do you think is lacking from RB1050?

    I say this because getting more power might not be the best way for you to improve your SQuality.

    Raj,

  3. #3
    Crackhead Extraordinaire Dusty Chalk's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JNorth1178
    At the present time i have a Rotel entry model RB 1050 Amp and a Rotel RC 1070 pre amp. I am pleased with the sound but am considering going to a RB 1090. Questions: L. would this improve the over all sound of my system?
    It depends on the speakers -- if your speakers are power hungry current suckers like mine, then yes, it will improve the sound. If you're already well within the headroom of the amp, then no, it should sound about the same.
    Quote Originally Posted by JNorth1178
    2.Would my pre am limit the benefit of a larger amp ?
    This one is easier: no, shouldn't.
    Eschew fascism.
    Truth Will Out.
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    you guys are crackheads.
    I remain,
    Peter aka Dusty Chalk

  4. #4
    test the blind blindly emorphien's Avatar
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    Without knowing what else you have we can only be of limited help. Improving your speakers (if they're lacking) could be a better way to go.

  5. #5
    Demoted to Low-Fi Carl Reid's Avatar
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    Unless you're speakers are really current hungry bastards, I think you might be going for serious overkill...

    You want to move from a 70 Watt per channel RB1050 to a 380 Watt per channel RB 1090? That sounds pretty intense...

    If you are happy with the way your system sounds and the speakers aren't seriously inefficient I'd suggest sticking with the 1050....

    Oh, I'm sure your pre-amp can handle the 1090... the 1070 pre was designed to match any of Rotel's two channel power amps.... I have a 1070 paired with an RB 1080 (200 watts per channel)...

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    Sorry, I should have elaborated. My speakers are B&W 805s. The room aize ia amall, a study, 12X15. I liaten mostly to classical. I feel that my -present setup doesn't have a large enough soundstage. That is, not enough body or depth to the music. It's sure hard to describe a 'feeling' isn't it? JNorth1178

  7. #7
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    I used to own a pair of B&W very similar to yours. You will benefit more by feeding more power, but 1090 sounds like an overkill. Where do you have your speakers placed? How close are they togehter, from the walls. I'm not sure if I'll spend over $2000 for a Rotel amp.

  8. #8
    Demoted to Low-Fi Carl Reid's Avatar
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    For the 805s I doubt that you need over 200 watts... so you could probably either 1) spend half the price you would have spent on the RB 1090 and just get a 1080 (200 watts) or 2) Spend the same amount of money (you would have spent on the 1090) and get a better 150 - 200Watts amp.... I really like Rotel's equipment but as the previous poster said... I don't know if I would spend over 2k on a Rotel amp....

  9. #9
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    Just to ask a basic question. Does it play loud enough with dynamics?

  10. #10
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    I'm one of those "super high efficiency" wackos.

    Say what you will - ten watts is all I need.

  11. #11
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    What CDP/TT are you using?

    But it might just make a dramitic improvement if you'll pull your speakers out at least 3 ft from your rear wall. It would really help you if we knew all of your equipment list too.

  12. #12
    Loving This kexodusc's Avatar
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    I didn't even know Rotel made a $2000 amp. Crap. That's more than my RA-1070 100 watter...which is a beefy amp in itself. How as the fellas mentioned, if you aren't straining your current amplifier then I doubt more power is going to improve things. If you've got $2K burning a hole in your pocket, I'd suggest looking at room treatments if you haven't already. That is likely to make more significant, audible difference to your system than upgrading any piece of electronics. And it could be done for a lot less than $2K.

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    Thanks guys! As far as other equipment is concerned: Rotel RT-02 CD, Rotel RCD 1072 Tuner, and a Veodyne DPS-16 Sub.. The speakers are 8' a part and 2' from the wall. Carl mentioned getting a better 150 - 200 amp. What do you suggest?. I am relatively new at this (as you can see) As for room treatment, I am limited in what I can do. Room is crowded. JNorth1178

  14. #14
    SuperPoser Rock789's Avatar
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    HT: Anthem AVM 50 / PVA-7; Focal JM Lab 4x Chorus 716 S, CC 700 S, 2x Chorus 706S; 2x 12s - Homebuilt Sub
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  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by JNorth1178
    At the present time i have a Rotel entry model RB 1050 Amp and a Rotel RC 1070 pre amp. I am pleased with the sound but am considering going to a RB 1090. Questions: L. would this improve the over all sound of my system? 2.Would my pre am limit the benefit of a larger amp ? Thanks for any help you can give. JNorth1178
    jnorth, try looking at your speakers recommended amplifier range. im sure the 1090 is well beyond it. i think a 150 or 200W would be just enough to maximize your speakers full potential.

  16. #16
    Forum Regular likeitloud's Avatar
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    Using large vintage speakers as I do, adding more power, alot more in my case, really
    opened up the soundstage, and improved at low volumes, the bottom end is the
    biggest change. It made the speakers come alive. I went from a 110wpc amp, to one
    over 300wpc after mods. It cost under $1100 after it was all said and done, and
    really works well. More power...Go for it.
    Sunfire TGP-5 Pre/Pro
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    Canare Interconnects

  17. #17
    Demoted to Low-Fi Carl Reid's Avatar
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    Since U like the Rotel/B&W combination.... you might want to check out Classe... I think the most popular amps for use with B&W are Rotel and Classe (because the same company owns all three and hence creates, tests and sells the products together).... I don't think you can get a new 150 - 200W Classe amp for $2K, but you should be able to find a used one for that price....

    So it's definitely worth checking out....

  18. #18
    Forum Regular Grandpaw's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jrhymeammo
    What CDP/TT are you using?

    But it might just make a dramitic improvement if you'll pull your speakers out at least 3 ft from your rear wall. It would really help you if we knew all of your equipment list too.
    I would second this suggestion about getting your speakers farther away from the walls. I may be shot down on this statement but In my opinion unless you can get the speakers farther away from the wall you will not get the optimum sound no mater what equipment is used. In the different systems I have listened too ALL had their sound stages get wider and deeper with more definition as to where the instruments were during the recording by getting more space around the speaker. Big difference and no cost.

    You said you are limited as to space so this may not be possible. If it is not possible to move the speakers out I would question if spending money on new equipment with this setup would be of much benefit.

    There are a lot of people on this forum with more knowledge and experience than I have but I can say without a doubt getting the speakers away from the wall is very important to the sound stage, Jeff

    This is a big exaggeration to make a point, but if you take a fine system and set it up in a closet without having a proper space the equipment will never sound it's best.
    I decided years ago I was only going to have two types of days...Very Good Days or just Plain Good Days. I just refuse to have bad ones!!!, Jeff

  19. #19
    Man of the People Forums Moderator bobsticks's Avatar
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    Lotta good observations and advice. As far as a personal anecdote, the first day I brought home the MLs I tried to run them through just a receiver as an experiment. This lasted less than an hour. Running the signal bridged through my Rotel 1066 gave me better sounding everything overall, including sounstage and presence. Of course, I have some pretty power hungry speakers.

    All that said, at the end of the day, while I'm sure more power would be benificial (and I am going along with the happy medium crowd recommending a solid 150-200 watts) you'll gain much,much more by ensuring that you have proper speaker placement.
    So, I broke into the palace
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    I said : "That's nothing - you should hear me play piano"

  20. #20
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    12' X 15' room is probably a good size for your 805s. But all depends on how much furnitures/items you have in that room.

    I'm wondering if you just have alot of furniture between you and speakers. You said your system is in your study. So, I'm also wondering if you are sitting behind some big desk facing your speakers.
    You said your room is crowded so that might be a part of your problem. As for room treatment, if you have bookeshelves filled with books that'll work pretty nicely.

    JRA

  21. #21
    Forum Regular hermanv's Avatar
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    If you are prepared to spend $2,000 for a Rotel amp, I personally think you can do far better with a used amp (example a Bryston 4BSST). How do you feel about used?

    I paid $2,300 for my used Pass Labs X250 which will put 500 watts into 4 Ohms, I've never heard the Rotel RB1050, but my guess would be that the Pass or Bryston and several other well known audiophile brands in that price range (used) would shame it.

    By the way 70 Watts to 350 watts is only a 7dB increase, contrary to an earlier post that isn't really a lot. (10 x log(base10) of 350/70 = ~7).
    Herman;

    My stuff:
    Olive Musica/transport and server
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    Martin Logan ReQuests.

  22. #22
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    I have bveen considering 'used' vs. 'new'. Where do you place Bryston, Parasound, and Anthem in the list of amps to be considered. Ouer local dealer handles the Parasound. I would hope to get a used amp, -perhaps one of these three makes. I am not too knowledgeable and am open to recommendations. thanks for your res-ponse JNorth1178

  23. #23
    Forum Regular hermanv's Avatar
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    Parasound is a tough call, they make a broader product line than some other vendors, their Halo amps get good reviews, but they ain't cheap. Similar things can be said about Adcom, their sound quality rating seems to vary from model to model and occasionally from year to year.

    The reviewers do usually praise Anthem, but as far as I know most of the Anthem line is on the lower power side of what you indicated you wanted. Perhaps I'm not up to date here.

    Several things about Bryston; that 20 year transferrable warranty, long history of good reviews, pretty much bullet proof (since they are a very popular "pro" amplifier), high availablity used and a very nice (prompt and reasonable cost) company to work with for repair or upgrades.

    Gear I have owned that I can recommend as "non fatiguing" is Conrad Johson, Levinson and Pass Labs, my friend owns Bryston (Ditto on non-fatiguing). I never liked my Denon stuff, but not everyone agrees. Most vacuum tube gear is suposed to be quite good, but at your power level mostly out of financial reach. Not everyone enjoys tubes hassle, some delight in it.

    eCoustic.com has the most extensive list of magazine reviews I've seen.
    http://search.ecoustics.com/Editoria...lpha-Name/All/
    You are talking about spending what for most folks is real money, some effort is indicated. If you live in a big city, you can often find used gear within driving distance, go listen.
    Herman;

    My stuff:
    Olive Musica/transport and server
    Mark Levinson No.360S D to A
    Passive pre (homemade; Shallco, Vishay, Cardas wire/connectors)
    Cardas Golden Presence IC
    Pass Labs X250
    Martin Logan ReQuests.

  24. #24
    SuperPoser Rock789's Avatar
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    http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/...riesSpecs.html
    if the 200watt area is where you want to be...
    HT: Anthem AVM 50 / PVA-7; Focal JM Lab 4x Chorus 716 S, CC 700 S, 2x Chorus 706S; 2x 12s - Homebuilt Sub
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  25. #25
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
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    You can get some high powered tube integrated for around $3000. How do you feel about selling your Rotels?

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