Life after Rotel RX 1052


I've had a Rotel RX-1052 receiver as my main amplifier for music for 10 years, driving entry-to-mid range (mostly B&W) speakers. 
Needless to say it has satisfied me for a long time, enough so that I never felt the need to replace it with a true integrated, or a pure stereo amp.
I'm looking for a stereo amp recommendation on what my next step up should be. I don't have a ton to spend (1500 - 2000 USD), but I'm willing to spend money on something that will be a clear upgrade in fidelity.
Some considerations:
- Music choice is varied. Quite a bit of electronic / electronic-infused music, balanced by jazz / funk. Some heavy rock.
- I have a second setup that is decidedly not modern, with a selection of 70's Technics, and Nikko amps driving Rectilinear Research III High Boys - I tend to listen to most acoustic music with vocals on that setup.
- I'll be soon using the amp with Sonus Faber Venere 2.5s.
- Maybe keeping the RX 1052 as my pre-amp could be an option?
- Source is split evenly between vinyl and digital streaming.

Expand my horizons!

absolutlahmi

Showing 1 response by schwantner

Depending on your ears I would suggest testing out at home if Possible and no particular order the four below because they sounded good to me. I like a warmer sound and I am using a pre-amp, either a Rotel, or Parasound depending on what I listen too.

ArcamRotelParasoundUsed McIntosh
As the previous post mentioned, make sure the amp can handle the speakers.  Can you wait until you get the SFs?  There are a lot more you can try also, but these are ones I have worked with in that range.  But you could easily add 30 more that might work. I didn't personally like the Yamaha, or NAD stuff.  But that's my ears and different gear in a different room changes everything.