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Opinions with upgradeitis (1 Viewer)

Geoff H

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Aug 29, 2002
Messages
65
I currently have a Yamaha RX-V 1300. It was recommended to me by a dealer that I would benefit in a two-channel amp -- Rotel RB1070; 130watts x 2 -- for the mains.

Another dealer said that the five-channel amp -- Rotel RMB-1075; 120 watts x 5 -- would be better, saying that he couldn't tell a difference in sound between the 2-channel and the 5 and that I'd be getting additional sonic improvement from the center & surrounds, and it's only about $200 more.

Any thoughts???

TIA,

Jeff
 

Yogi

Screenwriter
Joined
Jul 25, 2002
Messages
1,741
If you are looking more for an improvement in your HT experience then go with the 5 channel one and if you are only looking for an improvement in your two channel performance then just get the 2 channel amp and buy some CDs with the $200 saved.
 

Kevin C Brown

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2000
Messages
5,723
If you can afford the 5 channel amp, I say go for that. The stupid simple (upgradeitis! :)) reason why is that, I bet after a year with the 1300, you'll be ready to move to a pre/pro...
Been there done that. (Had an RX-V793 for a little while, then the Sony TA-E9000ES pre/pro for 4 years, and now the Outlaw 950 for about 3 months.)
Or, hee hee, get both, and then you're ready for 7.1 with a pre/pro...
(That's what I just did with Acurus.)
 

Chu Gai

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
7,270
My take on this is a bit different than others. To begin with, it starts with the qualifying phrase...it depends. It depends upon whether your current receiver is either capable or incapable of being operated within its design limits while still providing you with the sound levels that you enjoy. If you're finding that in attempts to play some movie or whatever that the sound you're hearing is harsh or distorted or that perhaps you've blown a center channel or perhaps fuses in your receiver or that your receiver (i'm not familiar with your particular one) goes into protection mode and shuts down for periods of time, then the answer is an unqualified yes. Yes you will benefit. Amplification with greater power will enable you to reach higher levels without distortion. If transients on your present system sound distorted, greater power will alleviate that.
However, if none of the above is true, then your benefit will largely be imaginary. Also the perceived benefit will be quite transitory and fleeting. Yes, perhaps you'll put that Rotel on, and now really crank things up and say to yourself and your friends, "I could never do that before". Quite true. But if that means that you're now in violation of perhaps a rental agreement or that you're pissing off your neighbors, then perhaps "You better not do that again"!I quite recognize that having more power than less is a good thing...or at the least, not a bad thing. I also recognize that there have been individuals, some who post here, that perhaps a year or so were out there buying 200+ watt solid state amps talking about how they needed that reserve of power and are now here talking about how they just bought a 15 watt/channel tube amp and are surprised at how little power they actually need. Were they right initially...did they incorrectly assess what their real wants and needs were? Who knows, but it's food for a little thought.
Upgradeitis is an insidious little bastard. If thought out properly and methodically, it certainly will result in a long lasting benefit. If not thought out properly, you'll be back here again...looking to do something else. Maybe now you'll buy some other amp. Yes, you'll possibly sell your existing one...get 'some' of your money back...then you'll be back again. Rather than truly moving forward, you're skating side to side.
If you decide to check the Rotel out, or for that matter any other brand, make sure you've got a consumer favorable return policy. You don't like it, then the dealer gives you ALL your money back, no questions asked. None of that store credit crap. If you're not sure, I recommend starting something like a separate bank account for Upgradeitis. Drop 10 or 20 or whatever every pay period. Build it up to something substantial. If you're planning on moving in the near future, I definitely recommend holding off. Maybe what you're really going to need is new speakers...won't know until it happens, right? In these economically challenged times I urge good clear thinking. In the end I'm sure you'll do whatever it is that's right by you. Best of luck to you and happy holidays.
 

Guy Usher

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 20, 2002
Messages
780
I find Viagra works for upgradeitis. Take 1 pill before you go looking that way everytime you go into the audio store you get a hard on and have to leave.
The Rotel 1070 is the 981 with a trigger and heatsink front. I would find a 981 for 300 bucks, they are great amps however I second Chu's advice, good stuff.
Why is it that women dont suffer from "Upgradeitis"? I dont care if it is cars, boats, bikes, a/v, guns. . . maybe there will be a vaccine (sp) shortly as this viagra gets embarassing because this disease is so incedious that I go into these shops woody and all, no stopping a person who suffers from this.
 

Chu Gai

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
7,270
always pays to keep a stiff upper lip :D
hey even objectivists can get a kick out things and no doubt that some of that stuff out there is damned attractive. hard to deny the 'manliness' of something that you need a health spa membership to lift! myself, if you've got something even half way decent, stick with it for a while and perhaps work on things like your room and maybe look towards optimizing the setup a bit. run a few frequency response curves. work towards understanding what you've got a bit more. remarkable things sometimes happen with a little bit of room treatments and better positioning of equipment. then save save save and go out after a while and find the speakers you really like then choose something appropriate to drive them. but if that fails, make sure that the money will always be in your pocket rather than in someone elses.
 

Yogi

Screenwriter
Joined
Jul 25, 2002
Messages
1,741
Upgradeitis is an insidious little bastard. If thought out properly and methodically, it certainly will result in a long lasting benefit. If not thought out properly, you'll be back here again...looking to do something else. Maybe now you'll buy some other amp. Yes, you'll possibly sell your existing one...get 'some' of your money back...then you'll be back again. Rather than truly moving forward, you're skating side to side.
I think upgraditis will hit you no matter how well thought out the upgrade is. It might last longer than a not so well thought out one but it sure will come back. No matter what you upgrade, speakers, amps, prepros etc you will come back looking for more. If you upgrade speakers you will end up looking for a better more powerful amp and then you'll get a killer amp and to realise its true potential you will get other electronics to go with it and then your speakers will be holding you back so back you go in the vicious cycle. At some point you will have to say to yourself that you are going to be satisfied with your current system and cancel your membership to this forum and stop visiting all audio stores (or maybe try the viagra trick). Thats the only true end to this disease. True satisfaction has to come from within and not without. Having said that I am still in search of a tube preamp to go with my Proceed amp. Any suggestions please.
 

Angelo.M

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2002
Messages
4,007
I wholeheartedly second Chu's sentiments; excellent post.

Geoff, you say the dealer recommended the upgrade. Was that in response to an expression of dissatisfaction on your part? If not, then I think you ought to stay put, enjoy your system, and upgrade on your own terms at a time of your choosing.

Happy holidays...

--AM
 

Chu Gai

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
7,270
Truly the retelling of Faust in terms of upgradeitis, huh Yogi? BTW, have you gone out and auditioned any tubes? Thoughts about making one?
 

Yogi

Screenwriter
Joined
Jul 25, 2002
Messages
1,741
Truly the retelling of Faust in terms of upgradeitis, huh Yogi? BTW, have you gone out and auditioned any tubes? Thoughts about making one?
Faust? I dont know what Faust said but I was just reiterating what many eastern saints and Yogi's (like me:D) have said over the ages. And yes I have auditioned many tube preamps but sadly they are out of my price range:frowning: and I haven't thought about making one. I am not that much of a DIY guy and the most I can build is cables:) although I did build a plasma CVD reactor to deposit diamond films and a scanning acoustic microscope, in grad school. I guess I am just plain old lazy.
 

Chu Gai

Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2001
Messages
7,270
Faust was at the crux of a bet between the devil and god. The devil said, i'll betcha Faust's soul that I can truly satisfy him...give him everything he wants or desires and a day will come when Faust will say "i am satisfied". God took that bet...and won. No thoughts to tube based interfaces that'd sit between your pre and amp huh?
 

Guy Usher

Supporting Actor
Joined
Oct 20, 2002
Messages
780
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man follow him.
He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool avoid him.
 

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