Rotel RA-1592 MK II or something else to deliver around 200W to B&W towers around $3000?


So I just purchased a pair of B&W CDM-9NT and am now going deep down the rabbit hole trying to find an amp that’s going to let these speakers sing to their fullest. I keep coming back to Rotel as the consensus appears to be that these amps pair very well with B&Ws. I was trying to keep the budget to $1000...then $1500...now I’m looking at $3000 options...I’m not willing to go up to the McIntosh prices at the moment so I’m capping myself at $3k new or used.

I was thinking that going integrated was the best option when looking at the $1500ish options. Now maybe separates would make sense at $3000?

Goals in sound are excellent imaging and separation. Strong and tight bass is a must. Music selection is mainly very bass forward genres like hip hop & EDM. I also enjoy jazz, rock and sometimes classical as the mood strikes. A must have is digital connectivity for hi-res streaming. The room is 14x18 if that matters.

Any help is appreciated.
yukispier

Showing 3 responses by kennyc

@yukispier
capping myself at $3k new or used
I was thinking that going integrated
A must have is digital connectivity for hi-res streaming.
I’m having difficulty nailing down your requirements.

Are you asking for an amp or an integrated amp? If amp, what’s your preamp?

Do you have a DAC and/or streamer, or is it budgeted in the $3k?

No direct experience but Peachtree seems good for the $, but you can do better sonically within your budget such as a Hegel.
 @yukispier
I currently have the B&Ws but nothing else.
Budget is still hovering around 3K... but it could be expanded in the next few weeks
So you need at minimum these components:
1) Preamp
2) Amp
3) Streamer
4) DAC
5) Cabling
6) Audio rack?
the 3K is not much to work with.

....I’m more sold on building a better system with separates for the same price.
I think you have this backwards.  While separates perform better than integrates, integrates have significant cost savings by reduction in casework and cabling though at the expense of a little performance - it's a tradeoff.  For the best price/performance, integrates are the better value especially if you are on a limited budget.

... putting most of the budget into a very good power amp and getting a pre & dac that will be OK for now but upgrading those components in the next year or so.
In high-end audio, the each component in the entire audio chain matters.  If you attached a quality amp to mediocre upstream components you'll get mediocre sound.

A better solution would be to build a system you can enjoy now but with the flexibility for future changes/upgrades.  

I like the Elac Alchemy:
*2.5k DDP-2 Preamplifier/DAC/Streaming End-Point and maybe the
*1.5k DPA-2 Stereo/Mono Amplifier
designed by Peter Madnick of Constellation Audio fame.  Plenty of positive Audio Alchemy reviews and this next generation should be better.  You can save more by buying used, and you can upgrade individual components later.  

There are a couple of early 90's solid state McIntosh power amps l
The technology for high-end audio is constantly progressing so generally speaking performance today is better than what has come before.  This includes the sonics of amplifiers.  Trying to save $ by buying vintage usually comes with a significant reduction in sound quality vs newer designs for the same $.  When buying vintage electronics, make sure you know what you are getting vs other alternatives.
@yukispier
I thought that is the direction I am headed getting a proper amp with a midish level pre/dac combo.
Ummm, there’s not really a “midish” level pre/dac. It’s sonically better to get a separate DAC but good a audiophile (above box store sonic quality) starts around $2k like Mytek and Yggy - YMMV. Including a dac w a preamp is an economic way to save $ on casework (less boxes) and cables which would be beneficial considering your limited 3k budget
I think that the system will still be enjoyable to listen to without a $4000 preamp while I’m saving up for the upgrade.
$4k preamp? - I’m confused. I thought your entire budget was $3k now so I was trying to stretch it to get you the best sonics per $ so you can enjoy your system “now” w flexibility for future upgrades. If your budget is more then that’s a different strategy. 

+1 Hegel - consistent positive reviews

Odyssey Audio amplifiers $1-3k - one of the best bang for buck amplifiers. Alon Wolf of Magico (one of the top technologically advanced speaker designers/manufacturers today) likes and sometimes uses them.