The often debated: Pre-pro/MC Amp or AVR/MC Amp or Just AVR

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by linger63

The Rotel RMB 1095 would stick out like dogs b..ls.

Not if I get the all "Black" model!

[linger63]

Originally Posted by ldgibson76

Not if I get the all "Black" model!

But the thing is HUGE and has FINS

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by linger63

But the thing is HUGE and has FINS

I knoooooow!
Ain't it Cool!

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by kingofgrills

My only suggestion would be to audition brands beyond just Klipsch when you go for the speaker upgrade. I would lean toward upgrading the pre-pro to the 6003, and make speakers your next priority. As you and others have acknowledged, upgrading speakers will bring the biggest improvement to your system.

Originally Posted by ^Lestat^

I apologize for the late reply. When i say they lack soul i just feel that they are too clinical. Should do fine with rock metal trash when i listened to them for music. I could not remember the site but there was this graph on items best bang for your buck and with the reference line would be the RF-82. At the price point of the RF63 i think it would be best to try and audition speakers above the 1k price point.

Niq

Hello kingofgrills and Lestat.

You both are correct in your observation regarding what will give me the biggest change/improvement on sound. Changing out my speakers would make the biggest impact on my system and that will happen in due time. but right now, getting my system to a higher technology standard is my priority. Simplistic HDMI switching and Hi-rez audio codec processing along with the ability to accommodating upcoming technology is paramount. I say that understanding that change is infinte in this hobby so replacing my legacy AVR/pre-pro allows for me to experience the technology efficiencies that are currently available.

Thanks again for your suggestions and input. No doubt, replacing the Klipsch speaker pkg is common sense, but in this case, desire for what's new prevails.

Regards.

[^Lestat^]

Are you really set on disposing the marantz power amp? If not another option would be going prepro stereo poweramp for the fronts and let the marantz handle the rest. You could get the av8003 and keep the power amp if it fits the budget and have a 5.1 setup for the meantime.

[ldgibson76]

To those who where kind enough to post an opinion is this thread, I think I've narrowed it down my decision for my system's upgrade.

The Rotel RMB-1095 is a lock! Granted, it won't give me that much of an improvement on overall performance over the current Marantz amp I have, but it looks impressive!
As far as the Pre pro option.... it's down to two choices. the Onkyo SC-885/6 (whichever presents the best value) and the Rotel RMB-1098 w/ the Zektor MAS7.1 HDMI/7.1 switcher!

Now, I know some of you are wondering, "Are you nuts?" No doubt, the inquiry is warranted. But understand, this is an internal battle between common sense and vanity And do not act like this has never happen to some of you before! Maybe not regarding A/V equipment, but in some other facet it has!
The Rotel offers some perks that the Onkyo doesn't and that's kind of important to me. The Onkyo will offer access to today's technology in an efficient, simplistic manner and will also most likely give me access to other technologies in the pipeline. It will offer the easiest integration of my components and most likely render better functionality. It's the common sense choice! Aesthetically, it's so-so.



But for me, vanity/aesthetics is important! The LCD screen is just cool! The Rotel RMB-1098 may not be the most advanced offering available, but it does excel in some other areas. 2-channel performance comes to mind. When it comes to analogue video switching, it performs that duty seamlessly. Then there's the multi-channel audio performance (SACD/DVD-A). Yes, I still enjoy those dead hi-rez audio formats. With the addition of the Zektor switcher, I will be able to employ the use of multi-channel audio from two different devices, my Pioneer BDP-51FD and the Denon DVD2910 Universal player. I know, I can get the same thing from the Onkyo, with less cables and less remote macro functions. I know, it should be a no brainer, but I just love the look of the Rotel! Not to mention, I will still be able to enjoy some of todays techologies. When I say some, I mean a small percentage. It surely lacks a lot of the available abbreviations and acronyms that are stamped on the fascia of today's newer Pre/pros and AVR's. (HDMI, HQV, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD/MA, Audyssey MultEQ, Dynamic Volume, etc,...)
Bottom line, I'll probably go with the Onkyo, but the Rotel has it's mojo on high!





And for those of you who looked down their noses at me because I was initially taking the "ask for forgiveness, rather then ask for permission" route, the wife is at DEFCON 3, closely monitoring the situation and preparing to institute the necessary counter-measures if I lose control.

Comments and suggestions, good, bad or indifferent are encouraged, please!

[ldgibson76]

Since the subject matter has abandoned the A/V Receiver concept, I guess the time has come to move this thread to the "Pre/Pro Systems and Separates" section of the forum. Only one thing, how am I supposed to do that. Can anyone help me with that maneuver? Thanks.

[JasonR]

I got it.

Looks like some nice upgrades!!!

[ldgibson76]

Good lookin' out JasonR!

Hopefully, some of the separates aficionados will offer up their expertise and knowledge regarding my choice of pre pros and amps.

Thanks again.

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by ^Lestat^

Are you really set on disposing the marantz power amp? If not another option would be going prepro stereo poweramp for the fronts and let the marantz handle the rest. You could get the av8003 and keep the power amp if it fits the budget and have a 5.1 setup for the meantime.

Hello Lestat.

I researched the AV8003. On paper, it's one impressive Pre/pro. It has a strong feature set. But, for the money, I think there are pre/pro's available that offer better value. I just do not have the confidence in the newer Marantz products I once had. I've read too many complaints and concerns about the quality control or lack thereof of recent Marantz products. Now, obviously the AV8003 is the Marantz's flagship Home theater product. So I have to believe that attention to detail and quality control is paramount with this $2600 pre amp.

That being said, if I could afford this unit, it would be considered. But I can't afford it. It's $1000.00 more than my max! Plus, my wife would kill my a$s if I spent 2600.00 on anything she can't wear on her finger!

[Intamin]

ldgibson76, I know where you're coming from when it comes to vanity. I also don't like the looks of the Onkyo. Not sure what you can get that Rotel for these days, but it's obviously within in the budget. Two other options of what I think are good looking processors are the Parasound Halo C1 or C2, which have been going for 1k or less, which is way off of what their msrp used to be. Just another option for you.

[ldgibson76]

Originally Posted by Intamin

ldgibson76, I know where you're coming from when it comes to vanity. I also don't like the looks of the Onkyo. Not sure what you can get that Rotel for these days, but it's obviously within in the budget. Two other options of what I think are good looking processors are the Parasound Halo C1 or C2, which have been going for 1k or less, which is way off of what their msrp used to be. Just another option for you.

Hello Intamin.

Nice to hear from you again and thank you for your suggestion. The Parasound (John Curl) Halo products are indeed excellent products and have a very rich look to them. I will definitely research and see what the C1 and C2 are going for. I found the Rotel RSP-1098 hovering around the $700.00 mark. As a matter of fact, I found a brand NIB model on Craig's List! The seller is asking $850.00 for it.

Under normal circumstances, I would be all over it, but the funds alloted for this frivilous and unnecessary (wife's opinion) upgrade has a ceiling of $1600.00. I still have the 1095 and the Zektor switcher to get and that's only if I go with the 1098. If I do in fact opt for the Onkyo or Integra then, the switcher is mute point.

The C1 and C2 are a definite possibility though. Thanks again and happy Holidays to you and your family.

[ldgibson76]

Well, the search continues for the Rotel RMB-1095 and possibly the RSP-1098 processor. Not sure if I want to go with the 1098 due to the lack of retrofitted HDMI inputs, but the amp is a definite! Currently the high bid is $700.00 with 6 days left. No doubt the bidding will exceed a grand before Saturday. Hopefully, the bids will not exceed my limit.

It looks like a clean and well cared for component. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Rotel RMG-1095
ROTEL RMB-1095 FIVE CHANNEL POWER AMPLIFIER THX UTLRA - eBay (item 150408406381 end time Jan-31-10 15:46:19 PST)

Rotel RSP-1098
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ht_1015wt_1165