I had a [ Rotel RB-1080 ] in 2003-4. It was great with more than sufficient power for my small Martin Logan speakers. Not sure if you can mono-block this with (2) RB-1080’s or not. That would be super IMO.
I am very interested to read more about this [ NAD 275bee ] ; it sounds marvelous for the money, especially used in great condition. ] Can this amp be set up to be Mono ? ]
I’m trying to drive a pair of [ Focal Chorus 826V ] speakers with something affordable. Any suggestions on this with the above - [ either the Rotel RB-1080 or the NAD 275bee ] or other?
Thanks.
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After auditioning the MF A5 and the NAD Masters Series five channel amps, as well as a few others, I bought the Rotel 1590. I own the 1075 as well. To my ears, the 1590 was far cleaner and had much more range and realism than the NAD and the MF amp and was a huge step up from the 1075. It sounded as good as some Higher end amps in the store for less money. The MF and NAD sounded muffled and soft to me in comparison. They just did not excite me. I may be ruined for all other amps if I hear something like a Pass Labs. But, until then, I have not listened to any kind of music on the 1590 that did not move me and make me smile real big. I especially love the incredibly deep, fast bass it generates in my B&W 804s. I did not really understand the concept of speed in an amp until the 1590. It seems like nothing taxes it. The mid and highs are pure and not annoying. At this point, I feel like the amp is no longer the limiting factor in sound quality, and I think that title now belongs to the speakers. It may be that the 1590 is a return to the sound of the “older” British Rotels. I have heard a few lower priced Rotel amps that were nowhere near as refined or moving. |
I held onto a RCD-1570 just in case. I'm not a fan of the slot loader
but it works. Other than that, garbagio for the past 8 years.
@donjr Don, I haven't heard the RCD-1570 but did own its predecessor, the highly regarded RCD-1072. Let's just say that it was the worst CD player I've ever owned. I bought it on a whim thinking it would have mated perfectly with my Rotel pre/pro combo at the time. Despite having good build quality and being quite attractive to look at, it never developed any mojo with its accompanying Rotel equipment. The cd player was very dry and uninvolving, with no dynamics or gusto whatsoever. A less expensive Sony (non-ES) player I was using previously had a much nicer and warmer sound than the Rotel. The 1072 just too overly-analytic. Was your newer 1570 CD player similar to what I experienced? |
very nice choice Joey. Your Sfs will sing with 200w/ch. Congrats. |
Nice amplifier. I'd use the balanced inputs on that Rotel unless you have a very low output impedance preamp. Enjoy. |
Relax and enjoy the music! Best of luck. |
Just to complete the thread... I thought about it and the wife was really not digging the separate amp outside the media console look so we ended up with an integrated.
I took the Rotel RA1570 and the RA1592 home and I kept the 1592.
It has been a good match. |
Rotel’s biggest weakness are their CD players, IMO. I’ve owned the RCD-1072 and found it a bit sterile sounding and very dry. Never cared for it and wanted to like it since it matched the RB-1080/RC-1082 I also owned.
Also, be aware that Rotel’s RCA jacks are a bit flimsy. If you’re the type who likes to experiment with different cables, you’ll probably need repair service at some point because the jacks will likely come loose. I’ve got Sony ES stuff from the early 90s and the back panel jacks are still like new. Can’t say the same for decade old Rotel pieces.
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TY -Joey
for the update. Keep us posted as you massage the Rotel into your system.
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I'm sure Joey has made his decision and is probably not following this thread any longer. For others investigating Rotel:
I don't understand why some of the respondents hold Rotel in such low regard. Here are my experiences. I had at one time a NAD 7250PE (old, but well regarded), a Nakamichi Receiver 2 (old but very, very highly regarded. My first true love. Blew away all the Marantz and Carvers.) and a Rotel RX-1052 I picked up for $200.Yes, I know they are all receivers and as all audiophiles know, therefore inherently inferior. Can you smell my sarcasm?
By brand reputation in today's market the NAD should have won the comparison. Actually, in my opinion it came in a distant last and I sold it for more than the Rotel cost me. The speakers involved were Boston Acoustics T-830s, Genesis Physics Model 7s, PSB Imagine XBs and Canton Ergo 1002DCs. Quite a disparate grouping. The Nak may have won with the Genesis and PSBs; but the Rotel surprised me by winning by a considerable margin with the larger 3-ways. The listening area is fairly large; but the primary listening location is 10' from the speakers. I prefer a detailed presentation with very good staging. No artificially warm crap for me. (I don't know why I bought those PSBs!)
I've heard older Krells and I find the bass to be exaggerated. I understand the newer integrateds may not have this characteristic. On my wish list to upgrade the Rotel currently are a Prima Luna Prologue (could it drive the Cantons?) or a Belles Aria. I've heard both and they are divine. However, when I heard them it was with speakers costing several times more than the Cantons and with cables costing probably 100 times more. Who knows how they'll sound when/if I get them in my system. Maybe I'll listen to a newer Krell or Bryston if I get rich. But for $200 this Rotel rocks! And they are not rare. |
@4425
I gotcha.
You're probably right. I just liked the Rotel RB1590 that's all. I also have a soft spot for Rotel from when I was new to the game 10 years ago when I was 24.
I have a much better system than the O3/Rotel, so I am a little lenient with it. |
Don't mean to offend. I just never would have thought of mating Rotel with your fine speakers. Whether right or wrong I've always considered Rotel a good mid level company like others here. I won't inject myself into something that's none of my business again but one last time I will suggest that you take a look at the Krell Digital Vanguard on their website before you decide. Can be purchased with good discounts as well. Enough said and best wishes.
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A buddy just bought a pair of Olympica 3’s. He has a Marantz 8802A pre and JC1 mono blocks powering them.
It’s a nice setup. You need to make sure the Rotel can handle a 4 ohm load (not sure) as the O3’s are 4 ohms. I’ve had a Rotel receiver before, but it was before they shipped everything to China for manufacturing.
I understand the desire to find a pre that can take a USB-A to play music off a thumb drive (dsd files as well as 192/24 files). Having Apple Airplay/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth type connectivity is very nice to have when you just want background music (though you can get nice hi-res files off the thumb drive).
I’m currently searching for a 2-channel preamp with all that (and home theater pass through). I think it’s a unicorn, and not the common variety unicorn...
You may want to look at the latest Hegel integrated amps. They have all the wiz-bang stuff we want (except I want just a preamp).
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@4425
What's out of whack? |
Given the cost and quality of the speakers still think the Krell Digital Vanguard or std Vanguard should be checked out. Something out of whack here but none of my business.
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I have Rotel love and NAD indifference.
+1 on the Prima Luna; but there is a big diff in price, especially when you add a phono stage, which the RC-1570 has. (MM only)
Comparing Krell, Prima Luna Dialog, and some of the others mentioned to Rotel is ridiculous, I think. It's like comparing a good Chianti to a rare Amarone. I'd enjoy the Amarone more, but then I couldn't afford dinner. |
Started my hifi voyage with a Rotel RC-1590. Liked it at first. Moved forward to their RDD-1580 DAC and CD player. Within a year the amp's volume control broke. Had it fixed but began demoing other integrated amps. Listened to luxman, modwright, and plunius. I found a great deal on a Primaluna Dialogue Integrated. No comparison to the Rotel. And preferred it much more than those other integrateds. Even my non-audiophile wife will not let me sell it.
If set on a SS amp, I've spend some time with a Krell Vanguard and it is very very good. Lower price point would be a Parasound Halo. Even this is WAY better than Rotel.
As far as front end I've moved to an Auralic Aries and Vega. The Altair is also fantastic.
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Yeah, not much love for Rotel here. My default recommendation is Ayre, but I heard your exact speakers with McIntosh amps at Magnolia and quite liked the combo. Very sweet sounding.
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The description of the 1070 matches my experience with the 1075, except I didnt even feel like I had analytical. And yet the new 1585 has slam, warmth, and all kinds of dynamics. It is a lively and fun amp with good punch. I agree Rotel spent a few years making some poorly received amps and misguidedly implementing class-D into their traditional line-up, but they have gone back to class AB in most of their amps, so i think it is hard to judge the new stuff based on the past. Each piece of equipment should probably be judged on its own merits and not with blanket statements. |
Rotel? You can do better. I own an RB1070 and found it to be not only anemic (no "cojones" if you will), the sound is sterile and lifeless. Decent mid-fi but that’s about it. Those speakers deserve far better, something less analytical and more musical with some warmth and balls to it. |
I tried arotel. As the "In Living Color" movie reviews said, "Hated it!" |
I held onto a RCD-1570 just in case. I'm not a fan of the slot loader but it works. Other than that, garbagio for the past 8 years.
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I used to like Rotel and owned a RMB-1095 5 channel amp for 8 years. Thought it sounded great until I heard what a good amp sounded like. Bryston. I dumped my Rotel 5 channel amp and 2 Parasound amps and replaced the Rotel with a 9B-SST THX. That 9B puts the Rotel to absolute shame. The Parasound (A51 and A23) amps have been replaced with 3 Bryston amps, a 2.5B SST2, 3B SST2, and 9B SST2. The SST2s are mated with a Marantz AV8802A, made in Japan. I could not be happier. My other pre-amp is the AV7702MK2 mated with the older 9B-SST THX and sounds excellent too. I do have a Marantz AVR 7010. It sounds good in a bedroom and is not something I would use in a serious listening room.
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I have an RB - 1070 for sale. Excellent condition.
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For sure, you’ll be fine with that as a second system. I’d take that deal all day long. |
@joey_v
Oh yeah, I know about your big rig. This isn't the only neighborhood I hang out in:-) I wish my main system was as sweet as your SF/Rotel system will be.
I'm betting that set-up will sound great and you and your wife will love it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers,
Scott
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@mward, so I was planning on getting the best Rotel initially prior to starting this thread, but then got diverted by the WAF.
Atleast it'll sound good and hopefully she will like it.
My other amp is a beast, so atleast I have that to fall back to. |
I smiled when i read your "I may be stuck" comment too. There are a lot worse things to be stuck with than Rotel. I hope it turns out to be a great sleeper system. Good luck and report back about how it sounds in your room. |
@samac
Thanks for the kind words... I think I will be happy otherwise it will go back.
No worries, my main system dwarfs this one. I guess you can call this the wife's system haha |
@joey_v
Your not stuck. Chances are you'll be very happy how well that RA1592 works with your SFs. Whats great is if it doesn't work out you'll be able to return it to Magnolias with no hassles.
So Magnolia still sells Rotel? It was a Design Center, correct? The reason I ask is because Rotel doesn't show up on Magnolias website.
I may still end up with the RC/RB1590 set if I can get a couple years interest free financing like I did for my B&Ws. I love Magnolias/BB for their no hassle returns and financing.:-)
Cheers,
Scott
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However i hope you will agree that it is scary that Marantz put their brand name on the low quality MM7025!!!! If you re-read my post, I said the MM7025 was anemic. Its also part of their AV line of gear made in China and should not be confused with their reference line made in Japan that is true hi fi.. As far as putting their name on the MM7025, they also put their name on AVR's and other HT stuff because that market is where the real money is at. Its not scary; its probably as smart business decision. Bryston or NAD and many other brands would NOT stoop so low as to do that! Bryston would not even though they have HT gear too. But it's made in Canada and much better performing . NAD however is just as bad as Marantz with a line of affordable HT hear made in China aimed at the mainstream market. No better than the Marantz AV stuff. |
Lots of good recommendations on this thread.... I brought my wife to magnolia yesterday and she likes the black Rotel RA1592, so I think I may be stuck guys. |
@paraneer
On Marantz and Luxman, yes I agree they do make some excellent top of the line gear and vintage gear hence their deserving historical reputation
However i hope you will agree that it is scary that Marantz put their brand name on the low quality MM7025!!!!
Bryston or NAD and many other brands would NOT stoop so low as to do that!
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I think it would be a mistake to not at least check out Krell Digital Vanguard. I think it has the features you want and based on a Krell Chorus amp I have in a second system it's not the brighter Krell of years past. Very musical. Also have a Krell Foundation which is a complicated unit and it operates beautifully and sounds great. I will admit that I was surprised at quality of sound. Chorus amp was equal of Pass 250.8 which I had on hand at same time. I have no motive in this discussion other than to see those great speakers get special treatment up front. Spearit Sound might send out a demo which would be well worth it or pick one up on this site at a low risk price. It won't disappoint IMO.
Post a Krell thread and see what turns up concerning the new generation. |
Would love to do boulder or some super integrated, but it lacks swiss army knife functionality of rotel, bluetooth aptx, usb in front, onboard dac.
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I would not recommend Marantz or Luxman - never had much luck with those. Luxman seem to smooth the highs so they are glossy and Marantz sound dull like a vintage sound and current Marantz quality is not good (just look at the MM7025 and the poor quality of build and inadequate power supply)
@shadorne You obviously have not heard any of the high end Marantz gear made at their reference factory in Japan. It is not fair to site Marantz AV gear made in China like their anemic MM7025 and assume this is all they offer. The performance and quality of their reference Marantz gear is off the charts good. This gear along with the new Luxman products, like the L-505ux and L-590ax are far more preferable to NAD and Rotel. Its true high end audio. Suggest you give it a listen. Thanks for the input on luxman and marantz, those are now out. @jYou may want to reconsider. |
4425-
I want to audition the ML No. 585 and CJ CA150 SE integrated amps. |
Left out the Levinson 585. Another excellent integrated that fits the quality of your speakers. Heck ARC and CJ make integrateds. Just can't imagine Rotel with the SF you've bought.
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I too had the pleasure to heat up a rb -1090 into my cerwin vega D-9's was a amazing combo!!!! Bass, treble, maids, everything just was perfect, then I had my inrush limiter blow out in a nice blue/white flash followed by some white smoke, it still worked, but I could not turn it back on once off. Used it about 3 years. Loved it!
i would think any good high power rotel would be great, I loved mine, and I miss her. |
@joey_v
That's great you have heard the MF 6. With the power that the 6 has I bet you have really good idea of the MF sound.I really enjoyed the 5. I can imagine that the 6 is excellent.
Yeah, you'll have to find a lot of real estate on the floor if that RB1590 won't go into the cabinet. I don't think my wife would be thrilled with that scenario either.😮
The RA-1592 looks to be a great amp. It's based on the 200 watt RB 1582 MKll; I haven't heard it but from what I've been told the RB 1590 really is head and shoulders above it.
Although I believe the RC1590/RB1590 would be outstanding and fits your needs, I'm going to throw a couple of "wildcards" out there since you're going to use this as an a/v set-up; the Peachtree Nova300 and the Arcam SR250. Two amps that seem to have a lot of potential for a multi-use situation.
Cheers,
Scott |
newer Krell actually sounds great. some people don't like looks which is fine. A few older models w more classic design out there too. need to audition if possible. I don't think Rotel will be in Krell's or JRDG's league. IMO. Beyond budget but a used Dartzeel integrated would be the holy grail. What about a used Boulder integrated? Many great choices to go with such a fine speaker.
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About a couple of years ago when I bought B&W CM10 speakers, I briefly experimented with Rotel gear. I paired my speakers with Rotel separates (preamp -> RC-1570; amp -> RB-1582). I was not very impressed. While the soundstage was wider, the clarity and details were just not there.
I returned the Rotel gear and bought (used) Parasound A23 and P5. The improvement in sound was noticeable, at least in my system and to my ears. Very balanced across the band. Neither too clinical, nor too warm. I moved up the chain to Parasound A21 and couldn't be happier
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Also wanted to add that I don’t think you would go wrong with the RB-1590. Top of the line Rotel, and I love the power specs on that one, 350w. I would just try to audition lots of similar amps in that price range so you know you made the best choice.
I haven’t heard it or the RC-1592, but you are looking at their high-end so you are in the right ball park. |
I have gotten what I think is very good mid-fi sound with a Rotel RMB-1585 5-Channel amp (200w), so I have Rotel love. I feel like I have very good dynamics and sound staging. Instruments and vocals do all the magic things that decent speakers and an amp should make them do as they appear in the middle of the room and the speakers disappear. I get good bass impact to make it fun, and I haven’t ever felt like it lacks for naturalness. It is my rainy day English countryside amp. I mostly listen to Jazz and I am very pleased with it.
My Rotel was a compromise though, because I needed 5 channels of amplification and no space or budget for a separate 2 channel amp. I would dearly love a dedicated 2 channel amp for music, and if I were buying one I would probably look at something other than Rotel. There is just so much more out there that I would like to try. Pass comes to mind. My Rotel is also their top of the line offering, so I’m getting the best sound they offer. And above everything else, I believe my upstream components and system synergy are what really determines how things sound. I use a multi-bit dac and a tube pre for music, and I have carefully chosen cables to improve sound quality, I’ve done what I can for good impedance matching. Blah blah blah, I'm rambling, Point is I like my Rotel amp, but I don't know how much credit to give to Rotel. I owned the Rotel RMB-1075 (120w) a few years ago and it didn’t do much for me, but that was before I upgraded my front end. It was fine, but my inner audiophile wasn’t stirred by the music until I stepped up my game in a lot of other areas. Is the difference because I went from their budget amp to their best multi-channel amp? Probably/somewhat. I know the extra watts and the XLR input path helped. If I were buying Rotel, I would buy the best they offer and not choose something from the lower end of their line.
So yeah, lots of Rotel love here, but I would also love to try other brands. I like my sound, but you never know how good it can get until you try something else. Most owners think their systems sound awesome because they haven’t tried something from the next level up. I know that is true in my case. My next level probably wouldn’t be Rotel, just because I’m already at the top of the Rotel heap and I’ve read about so many more interesting amps on the market.
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@shadorne
Thanks for the input on luxman and marantz, those are now out. |
@samac
My brother has the MF6 integrated and likes it. I think it sounds good as well. DOes not have all the swiss army knife features of the rotel, which is why I lean rotel.
The problem with going full Rotel RC1590/RB1590 stack is that the amp has to be placed outside the media console in the family room and my wife is leary of that... I have waf to abide by here. haha...
otherwise, the RA1592 would fit inside the media console and would have all the doo-hickeys for her. BT and ability to stream her iphone music etc.
This system is more for her than it is for me, but obviously I am in the family room a lot so I want good sound too.
I am constrained with positioning of the O3 as well, I cannot pull them out too far from the wall so I am sure there will be boominess.
Plus a lot of the input will be from TV sources, DVR, netflix.. so it's not the highest quality sources either.
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Don’t short change yourself with not mating the Olympica 3’s with high quality equipment. Using less than optimal amp,preamp, and source will not get you what you paid for in regards to quality of sound... |
@joey_v
I spent a couple more more hours with the RC/RB1590 set. My impression hasn’t changed. They are outstaning. If budget wasn’t a concern for me I would have ordered a set and been done. Period. Thanks for starting this post.
I also spent about an hour listening to the Musical Fidelity M5si 150 watt integrated. Not exactly apples to apples comparison but it gave me a feel for the different presentations. The MF was a bit warmer and a touch softer. As you go up in watts with MF that may not be the case. If it wasn't for budget constraints I would investigate MF further.
@shadorne
Thanks for your comments on the NAD C165/C275BEE set. I have used an NAD 320BEE as well as 325BEE in systems for years. NAD makes great stuff. I’ve lived with an Arcam integrated (A19) for three years now and your Rotel/NAD comparison could apply to an Arcam/NAD comparison as well.
I’m trying my best to listen to the 165/275 but the nearest dealer that has them is three hours away. That fact and my budget constraints (which precludes me from going with the RC/RB1590s) leads me to the conclusion that I’m going to order the NADs from a source with a generous return policy and give them a go.
Cheers,
Scott |
Rotel are excellent - not a dynamic punchy sound but smooth. NAD make a nice option and you will like the look and similar sound but a bit more dynamic:
NAD C275BEE with C165BEE is good value.
The power amp is a tank with massive power supply.
I would not recommend Marantz or Luxman - never had much luck with those. Luxman seem to smooth the highs so they are glossy and Marantz sound dull like a vintage sound and current Marantz quality is not good (just look at the MM7025 and the poor quality of build and inadequate power supply)
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