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Rotel 15 series kit


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Hi Guys,

Just looking for some advice. I am thinking about replacing my aging Yamaha RX-V1200 receiver with something new. I am driving some Focal 826V fronts, 800CC centre, 706 in ceiling rears, with the Yamaha and also Sonique Thunder Box sub. I am happy with the HT on this system, but reckon that the Yamaha is struggling to run the 826v’s for music.

So its time for upgrade. I am thinking about going down the path of some Rotel 15 series kit. In particular the RMB-1565 amp and a RSP-1570 or the RSP-1069 AV processor. So I was looking for some feedback on this configuration and equipment.

The other thought that I had was to buy a new Yamaha RX-V2065 or Denon AVR-3310/3810. Which does offer some advantages, like network music playback and ipod dock.

Thoughts, ideas, feeback would be great.

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Do you have pre-outs? If so then consider just adding a power amp. IMO most preamps are quite transparent, but it's the power amps that make the real difference. If you want the most SQ bang for buck, I'd go this way. If you want some new features on the receiver, that's a different matter. For me, pre-outs in a receiver are essential - the power amps always get the short end of the stick. Features sell receivers but for serious amplification, there's nothing like a specialist!

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Yes the existing receiver does have pre-outs. I also think that the DAC in the existing receiver may not be the best, hence the reason for thinking about replacing that too, are there some other advantages that I dont currently have, like HDMI switching.

I am also concerned about 100W per channel from the above amp not being enough for the 826v? would that be correct?

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You're asking the guy with 650w per channel! lol

(not that I use all of it)

By the time you rate the power correctly, 100w often quoted for receivers becomes a great deal less. Firstly, let's drive all channels at the same time and then let's talk about 20 - 20k (not just 1k). 100w becomes unlikely!

I'd rather drive hifi speakers with 200w available or more, ensuring the amp won't clip when pushed.

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Yeah, thats why I was thinking of a seperate power amp. They specs on that Rotel RMB-1565 says 5x100W, how true that is I am not sure. The next model up (RMB-1575) is 5x250W, but the price is well over double.

I did think about getting the smaller 5 channel and a larger 2 channel for the fronts. The RB-1572 is 2x250W and would just be used for the 826v. And that leaves me with 2 extra channels at 100W to drive some other outdoor speakers. What do you reckon?

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Well, it's a matter of personal preference with how you do it. One way to look at it is you don't need to up the power on all speakers. If you get the 2 channel for the mains, then the receiver amps may actually perform close to spec. I believe the power supply is often where corners get cut and this means they can be rated higher when not all channels are driven at the same time. Do you have a centre? That makes it slightly more complicated.

When it comes to hifi amps, Rotel are high on my list. I'd tend to trust their power ratings, and unlike many receivers they are 4 ohm stable. Amps that can't handle 4 ohms don't have an adequate power supply.

Other alternatives include the Alesis range of studio amps like RA500 with 250w into 4 ohms. This is a cheaper option at around $580 IIRC. And even cheaper Behringer A500 with similar specs for around $350.

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If it were me I would go down the path of a Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo or Sony for HT duties and couple it with a Rotel Stereo Power amp. I think that you will pay a premium for a Rotel receiver, gain little for two channel duties and find that is lagging behind in features compared to the competitors.

The 15 series from Rotel is reasonably new and reportedly has had a few firmware bugs. Rotel were slow to market with HDMI and were also lagging behind the competition implementing the new HD codecs. Some useful information can be found at Club Rotel:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=20

I think that you will notice a bigger difference with your Focals with a two channel power amp of 200wrms per channel or more than with the 5 channel 100wrms amp. It will take the load off your receiver of choice which may then perform perfectly adequately serving the remaining channels. You can always add a 5 channel amp later. The 15 series Class D amps are well reviewed and regarded.

Edited by Telecine
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Well, it's a matter of personal preference with how you do it. One way to look at it is you don't need to up the power on all speakers. If you get the 2 channel for the mains, then the receiver amps may actually perform close to spec. I believe the power supply is often where corners get cut and this means they can be rated higher when not all channels are driven at the same time. Do you have a centre? That makes it slightly more complicated.

When it comes to hifi amps, Rotel are high on my list. I'd tend to trust their power ratings, and unlike many receivers they are 4 ohm stable. Amps that can't handle 4 ohms don't have an adequate power supply.

Other alternatives include the Alesis range of studio amps like RA500 with 250w into 4 ohms. This is a cheaper option at around $580 IIRC. And even cheaper Behringer A500 with similar specs for around $350.

Yeah I have a center, its the matching 800CC for the 826v's. I believe that all the speakers a 8 ohms, and volume isnt really my main aim, its more about the SQ.

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If it were me I would go down the path of a Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo or Sony for HT duties and couple it with a Rotel Stereo Power amp. I think that you will pay a premium for a Rotel receiver, gain little for two channel duties and find that is lagging behind in features compared to the competitors.

The 15 series from Rotel is reasonably new and reportedly has had a few firmware bugs. Rotel were slow to market with HDMI and were also lagging behind the competition implementing the new HD codecs. Some useful information can be found at Club Rotel:

http://www.htguide.com/forum/forumdisplay.php4?f=20

I think that you will notice a bigger difference with your Focals with a two channel power amp of 200wrms per channel or more than with the 5 channel 100wrms amp. It will take the load off your receiver of choice which may then perform perfectly adequately serving the remaining channels. You can always add a 5 channel amp later. The 15 series Class D amps are well reviewed and regarded.

Yeah there is that option, just get the 2 channel Rotel now and the 5 channel later. The existing Yamaha has been very good, and I have never had an issue with it. Maybe I just use it for the time being and wait for a newer Rotel processor. Any ideas on how often they release new models?

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Yeah there is that option, just get the 2 channel Rotel now and the 5 channel later. The existing Yamaha has been very good, and I have never had an issue with it. Maybe I just use it for the time being and wait for a newer Rotel processor. Any ideas on how often they release new models?

The 15 series Rotel receivers are quite new and probably won't be refreshed again for a year or two. If you don't need HDMI switching, stick with what you have receiver wise. You can always let your source do the decoding of newer codecs.

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The 15 series Rotel receivers are quite new and probably won't be refreshed again for a year or two. If you don't need HDMI switching, stick with what you have receiver wise. You can always let your source do the decoding of newer codecs.

I do have a external HDMI switch for changing between my set top box and PS3, as my panel only has a single HDMI port. I also have a component cable for WII from the receiver to the panel, as the receiver cant convert video from analog to digital. So there is a fair wack of cables.

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I do have a external HDMI switch for changing between my set top box and PS3, as my panel only has a single HDMI port. I also have a component cable for WII from the receiver to the panel, as the receiver cant convert video from analog to digital. So there is a fair wack of cables.

Ok, a few other options for you to consider:

1. You could buy a two channel integrated amp with HT bypass; or

2. You could have a look at the Emotiva gear. Perhaps the newly released HT Pre and a power amp. See:

http://www.emotiva.com/

You would have to import the Emotiva but the price is attractive and they are said to be quite good at two channel duties.

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Ok, a few other options for you to consider:

1. You could buy a two channel integrated amp with HT bypass; or

2. You could have a look at the Emotiva gear. Perhaps the newly released HT Pre and a power amp. See:

http://www.emotiva.com/

You would have to import the Emotiva but the price is attractive and they are said to be quite good at two channel duties.

The Emotiva gear looks good, has anyone got any of it? if so whats it like?

Edited by Schnooper
remove noob questions, search is my friend. :P
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i went with option 1 from Telecine, i added an intergrated

i went to Challenge to check out the Rotel 15 Series, looks really good. But if i was buying i would buy the pre aswell and then it starts getting expensive

you have to remeber that if you add a power amp you should be just amplifying the sound from the Yamaha, so if you want a different sound you should plug everything into a different Pre

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i went with option 1 from Telecine, i added an intergrated

i went to Challenge to check out the Rotel 15 Series, looks really good. But if i was buying i would buy the pre aswell and then it starts getting expensive

you have to remeber that if you add a power amp you should be just amplifying the sound from the Yamaha, so if you want a different sound you should plug everything into a different Pre

Any ideas on whats going to be good and suit what I need?

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Guest soundandpictures

Some of the new Rotel 15-series is great; the AVR-1550, RSP-1570.

Some not so great, the Class D power amps and Class D AVR-1560 are mediocre performers.

It's all pretty bare-boned compared to more mainstream HT gear, catering more for the audio purist. And sometimes not quite as polished in operation.

But overall it would still be my first pick in affordable HT gear.

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