Is Rotel RB-1080 amp a good match for B&W DM602 S3?

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whitese
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#1 erstellt: 04. Okt 2003, 12:38

Hi all,

I'm currently in the market for a 2-channel stereo power amp to be used with my DM602 S3 speakers. I'll set up my system as audio system, not home theatre. My budget is around $1,000 for the amp, and the RB-1080 is in this price range. However, I haven't had much luck in finding users' reviews here in AA regarding the amp. It seems that not a lot of people use/have it.

What I was wondering is whether or not my DM602 S3s and RB-1080 would be a good match? What other stereo amps in the $1,000-range are good for my speakers? Also, for the pre-amp, should I go passive or active? What about Rotel's 10-series pre-amps? For passive, which one would you recommend?

Thanks very much in advance for your time and reply.

Eric

kimber-frank
Stammgast

#2 erstellt: 04. Okt 2003, 14:10

Hello eric!
Another good choice would be a NAD power-amp/pre-amp combination: C160 and C270.

I don't know this Rotel but I knwo that rotel poweramps are powerfull, so that shouldn't be a problem to use it with the B&W speakers.

What pre-amp do you have?

sledgehammer
Stammgast

#3 erstellt: 04. Okt 2003, 19:37

why dont you try accuphase? they have great amps!
rotel is good. should be ok for bw dm. but you might get better sound with a really great amp like accuphase, burmester or mcintosh.

Dagon
Ist häufiger hier

#4 erstellt: 04. Okt 2003, 20:03

@Sledge: Don't you think that you pay most money for the name of Accuphase but not for quality? I am frightened of your suggestions in this forum.

sledgehammer
Stammgast

#5 erstellt: 04. Okt 2003, 20:08

accuphase amps sound great! they are expensive but they are worth every dollar!

onion
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#6 erstellt: 05. Okt 2003, 10:10

Hello whitese,
what pre-amp do you use?

NAD or Marantz might be a good choice but I think the Rotel will do a good job.

Accuphase is an alternative if you have too much money.

whitese
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#7 erstellt: 05. Okt 2003, 13:56

Hi,
I got a rotel rc-1090 pre-amp.
NAD sounds good. But I think a rotel power-amp would fit better?
Accuphase is a bit too expensive.
Eric.

kimber-frank
Stammgast

#8 erstellt: 05. Okt 2003, 16:33

Hey!
Do you think that you can listen to the rotel? best would be at home.
If possible get the NAD, too, so you can compare them.

sledgehammer
Stammgast

#9 erstellt: 05. Okt 2003, 20:26

listen to the rotel. but i think you are right, rotel and rotel will be a perfect match.

onion
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#10 erstellt: 06. Okt 2003, 08:43

Hello,

I think Frank and sledgehammer are right, listen to the rotel and if you like it, take it.
If not, try the NAD.
Best would be, as Frank says, to compare both.

whitese
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#11 erstellt: 09. Okt 2003, 17:34

Hi all,
I'll try to listen to both of them. Afterwards I will post the results.

Eric

[Beitrag von whitese am 09. Okt 2003, 17:34 bearbeitet]

Manek
Inventar

#12 erstellt: 05. Nov 2003, 11:52

Hi..I heard rotel a few times but i did find then a bit harsh....bright....but powerfull.

NAD according to me would be a better choice as they are revealing yet neutral and more melow...

a pre-power combo is definately the better alternative, nad has some very good pre and power amp solutions.

SUB_BOSS
Gesperrt

#13 erstellt: 23. Mai 2005, 14:13

Thats strange I found NAD a tad brighter than Rotels..Rotels were much better in highs NAD just let em loose. May be partnering of equipment played an imp role here.

oarnura
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#14 erstellt: 23. Mai 2005, 21:20

B&W thinks so. B&W forces thier dealers to either carry Rotel gear and/or Classe' gear in conjunction with thier speakers in showrooms.

Also the B&W demo rooms in the factory use Rotel gear.

Ouch I didn't realise how old this thread was!!

[Beitrag von oarnura am 23. Mai 2005, 21:22 bearbeitet]

Arj
Inventar

#15 erstellt: 25. Mai 2005, 16:55

I found the B&W and Rotel RA02 combination to be very good. Smooth fast and punchy. (Strangely i found this to be better than the NAD, although if you go by descriptions and sound signature , i would have assumed the Nad to be better !)

No reason why the 1080 should be any less. in fact it should be better.

These speakers in spite of their seemingly easy load thrive on power and hence you might have a good combination here.

Try it out and check it out for yourselves

binoymehra
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#16 erstellt: 25. Mai 2005, 17:50

Just try Rega Mira 3 . It is very musical , almost analogue sounding , poweful enough to drive even Dyn. Simple but having a nostalgic sound.

Arj
Inventar

#17 erstellt: 25. Mai 2005, 18:03

I too do like the Rega sound..very smooth and laidback. Somehow their amps, in spite of their merits, do not get the sales they deserve.

binoymehra
Ist häufiger hier

#18 erstellt: 25. Mai 2005, 19:06

Because they do not spend money in advertisement. In Europe however they have a committed following.

SUB_BOSS
Gesperrt

#19 erstellt: 26. Mai 2005, 07:32

Rega was not too good for my taste....I felt it lacked drive...the oomph...

binoymehra
Ist häufiger hier

#20 erstellt: 26. Mai 2005, 10:30

Audio is to a person's own taste but pl read on the web it is one of the recommended buys of in Hi Fi Choice. This is more credible as Rega does not give any ad to any Hi Fi magazines.It is known for pace and musicality. Listen it with Rega Planet and a good speaker and then you can feel what it is. Rega is one of the very genuine brand and they give quality product at reasonable prices.

beehive
Neuling

#21 erstellt: 07. Jun 2005, 08:06

they always partner B&W with denon and rotels, and
they always say they are a good match...
mine is driven by an old sony str 925 and its rocking!!
just give time breaking them in...as long as your driver
has enough power to make them sing and you room is acoustically ok...
denon and rotel werent (i guess ) the drivers used by B&W
when they were testing them...corect me if im wrong...
B&W never ebdorses these bands...its just a majority
preference mybe because thats what being fed in most forums.
follow your ears and listen well...

abhi.pani
Inventar

#22 erstellt: 07. Jun 2005, 08:22

I think Denon PMA-2000 Stereo amp should be given a try.
Its a very good amp and good enough to drive the most difficult-to-drive speakers with ease and detailed.

Comments awaited....

BTW its asking price India is 75k and it was going for 39k at the Profx SALE this weekend at Bangalore.

In US it is priced at $900.

SUB_BOSS
Gesperrt

#23 erstellt: 07. Jun 2005, 08:27

binoy wrote :

thats true my friend....but when driven with Klipsch reference it somehow felt lifeless....may be if thats warm and musical then not my taste..It might be good if one listens to classical..but my taste ranges from pop to hard metal..so where's the hype...well there are two kinds of people in the world my friend ...one who swear by single genre and the others who listen to good ones from all genres...so for the latter it does no good.Musical fidelity class A had all the ingredients i wanted ..punchy, fast, detailed...hmmm and hot too

[Beitrag von SUB_BOSS am 07. Jun 2005, 08:36 bearbeitet]

Neutral
Stammgast

#24 erstellt: 07. Jun 2005, 13:13

Hi Oarnura,

How come you didn't suggest a Bryston integrated amp? Doesn't it partner well with the B&W?

oarnura
Ist häufiger hier

#25 erstellt: 11. Jun 2005, 21:49

Neutral schrieb:

Hi Oarnura,

How come you didn't suggest a Bryston integrated amp? Doesn't it partner well with the B&W?

I actually have a pair of B&W 602 s2s I had them as my fronts driven by the Denon AVR3801. I bought the Brston to improve the sound for 2channel audio and it made a world of difference and was a good match. Infact many have successfully mated B&Ws and brystons.

I got tired of the B&W's overly bright sound, so they are now my surround speakers. The reason I was looking as a better amp.

The orginal poster asked about Rotel and B&W and I answered accrodingly. Incase you haven't figured it out yet, my mission is not to push Bryston. Unlike a few people on this forum I like to let people make thier own opinions.

[Beitrag von oarnura am 11. Jun 2005, 21:50 bearbeitet]

oarnura
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#26 erstellt: 11. Jun 2005, 21:59

beehive schrieb:

corect me if im wrong...
B&W never ebdorses these bands...its just a majority
preference mybe because thats what being fed in most forums.
follow your ears and listen well...

You are wrong. Having talked to many B&W and ex-B&W dealers, I have learned that B&W strongly recommends (puts pressure) thier dealers to stock classe and rotel gear.

Here is a photo report visit to B&W's manufacturing center.

http://www.cinenow.com/us/reportage.php/rid,27/

Here is the showroom pictures:

http://www.cinenow.com/us/reportage.php/sid,382/

Look at the equipement racks.... voila Behold rotel and classe gear. I think the same holding company owns B&W and rotel.

ojoi
Ist häufiger hier

#27 erstellt: 15. Jun 2005, 13:22

SSSSSSSSSSSSccccccccccccccccrrrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeccccccccccccchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... DID I HEAR ROTEL.
whitese my one liner.
just go and buy rotel, and you will remember me for the right choice i made for you...

...no comparision to rotel amps.
they are the best out there with a resonable price. infact you get more then you pay for, and you will realize that in time.
1080... i am jealous.
i have a 1070 pre power