Rotel
I have been a Rotel fan for many years now. My first Rotel was RA840 BX4. I bought it in 1988 and have used it for almost 10 years.
But when I started working, I got a bit more funds to get a real nice system.First I built Remo's big transmission linesystem. The speakers were a bit too big for the Rotel 840BX4 amp, thus that meant that the 840 had to go.
I ended up with this system :
The rc972 was the heart of the system. The pre-outs of the front channels ofthe 3801 were connected to the video in of the rc-972. So I had optimumstereo performance, but also used the power of the Rotel power amp with dvd's.The Denon 3801's stereo perfomance was no match is for the rc-972/RB-981 power amp combination.However using the 5.1 analogue input made a huge difference. This system was sonically very good, but onfortunately it took a lot of rackspace. And it was not very easy to operate. So in 2005 I sold the Denon 3801 and got the brand new Rotel RSP-1068.
The end result in 2006 is:
Just a small tip for Rotel owners, there is an excellent forum here:
In the forum there is a lot of talk about the new equipment for 2004.Needless to say that I am saving up for the rsp-1068, that will be the successor of the rsp-1066.I was saving for the 1066, but I will wait for the 1068.
*** update ***
I sold my Denon AVR-3801 and replaced it by the Rotel RSP-1068.
The new features of the RSP-1068/RSX-1056/RSX-1067 line will include :
Around 2005 I found a used RB-991 amplifier for a decent price. I always had the intention to replace the RB-981 for a RB-991, but waited for a proper deal on a used one. I really would have like to find a Michi RHB-10. but unfortunately they are very rare and also very expensive. The RB-991 looks match te current 10-series looks of the RSP-1068 and even the RB-985MKII. The major difference is the upgraded power of the amp, witch makes it sound more at ease. It has great control of my JMlab Elextra 906 and really make this wonderful monitor reaveal it's true quality. I also placed the new amp in between the speakers, so it now has equal lenght in interconnects and speakercable. I use VdHul D102MKIII as interconnects and vdHul CS-122 speaker interconnects.
In 2008 I was very lucky that my Rotel dealer had a 1 year old RSP-1098 as a trade in. The customer had bought it a year ago and his family was unable to get used to its operation. The asking price was unbelievably low and I managed to sell my RSP-1068 and get the 1098 at only 600 Euro difference.
The 1098 is a fantastic pre-processor. It has more video connections than the 1068, the build quality is superb and the sonic performance is amazing. Also the big LCD screen looks really cool. In stereo and multi channel (SACD) perfomance it is more neutral and more quiet that the 1068. In DD/DTS mode it has a bit more control, tighter bass and better steering. The only problem again is, is it worth the extra 2000 Euro ?
If I would have bought one new, I would certainly have hasitated. But if you manage to find a second hand for a good price, go and get it. If sonic performance is what matters, forget the modern 8.1/HDMI 1.3a competition. They depreciate faster and are no where near the sonic capabilities of the 1098.
The end result in 2010 is:
I bought this Pro-ject 1.2 Second hand. It had to be restored to its original state, because the original owner was not use to a precision intstrument like this. Some of the screws were for the arm hight ajustement were all damaged, so I had to be very careful. It took me almost half an hour to adjust the height of the tone arm. The former owner had used the wrong screwdriver. I had to completely removed the arm before any adjusting could be done.
The Ortofon X1-MC is a High output MC element. This means that the 2V outputis sufficient to be played on a normal MM input.
| Output voltage at 1000 Hz, | 2 mV |
| Channel balance at 1 kHz | < 2 dB |
| Channel separation at 1 kHz | > 22 dB |
| Channel separation at 15 kHz | > 15 dB |
| Frequency range at - 3dB | 20-25.000 Hz |
| Frequency response | 20-20.000 Hz + 4 / - 1,5 dB |
| FIM distortion at recommended | < 1% |
| Tracking ability at 315Hz at | > 60 µm |
| Compliance, dynamic, lateral | 13 µm/mN |
| Stylus type | Elliptical |
| Stylus tip radius | r/R 8/18 µm |
| Equivalent stylus tip mass | 0,75 mg |
| Tracking force range | 1,25-1,50 g (12,5-15,0 mN) |
| Tracking force, recommended | 1,25 g (12,5 mN) |
| Tracking angle | 20° |
| Internal impedance, DC resistance | 80 Ohm |
| Recommended load impedance | 47 kOhm / < 500 pF |
| Cartridge body material | Noryl |
| Cartridge colour | Blue |
| Cartridge weight | 6 g |
I got this 2.5 mm shielded power cable via Internet. Normally this is a pre-build cable. However a company in the UK sold it off the real.
So for only 120 Euro's I got two meters of cable, 5 pieces of Supra Blue matching IEC connectors and some Kopp power plugs.
Now I was able to make some short cables and a power strip. This all fits neatly behind the audio rack, attached to the wall.
