TerryHub
Stunt Coordinator
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 62
I posted a few days ago that I wanted to upgrade my receiver/amp/DVD player to Rotel. Some suggestions from forum members were to just upgrade the amp to Rotel and keep my current setup.
Current setup:
Sony STR-DA2ES Receiver
Sony DVP-NC685V CD/SACD/DVD Player
B&W 602s3 Mains, LCR600s3 Center, Speakercraft In-wall Surrounds
I got my hands on a Rotel RB970BX 2-channel amp 60Watts/ch. I ran several comparisons between the Sony amp and the Rotel using a wide range of music that I'm very familiar with: Sade, Fourplay, Jean-Luc Ponty, Norah Jones, Outkast, Prince, Alice in Chains, Prince, and Talking Heads. I listened to each amp for about an hour, then I began switching back and forth after a couple of select tracks.
My opinion disapointed me a little. I very much preferred the sound of the Sony amp over the Rotel. The Rotel seemed to lack detail in low mid-base range and high frequency. When listening to piano I found the Rotel to feel distant and hollow. The Sony is very detailed and the piano sounds like it's in the room with you. Many of the tracks I listened to had soft detail in the music that seemed to disappear with the Rotel. Both "sound" good, but whenn you switch back and forth, the Sony reveals details that I don't want to miss. I don't know if this is the difference between "warm" sounding amp and one that is not. I absolutely do not consider the Sony to be bright or harsh in any way. It was not only in upper frequencies that I heard the lack of detail. Sade's voice seemed to howel with the Rotel while the Sony made her voice sultry (as it really is).
I listend to both amps in 2-ch moded and with my SVS sub. Sound stage on both seemed equal to me. I'm very picky about sound stage, my speakers create a very wide and tall sound stage with great depth. If you close your eyes with any quality recording you would have a very hard time determining where the speakers are located.
I realize that everyone's tastes are very subjective. My dream of upgrading to Rotel electronics is fading fast between my findings with this amp and the hiss issues.
Does this make any sense to anyone, or do you think my findings are inconclusive for any reason. Based upon my opinion, should I look into another manufacturer's products when and if I decide to upgrade in the future?
I'm curious as to what you think...
Current setup:
Sony STR-DA2ES Receiver
Sony DVP-NC685V CD/SACD/DVD Player
B&W 602s3 Mains, LCR600s3 Center, Speakercraft In-wall Surrounds
I got my hands on a Rotel RB970BX 2-channel amp 60Watts/ch. I ran several comparisons between the Sony amp and the Rotel using a wide range of music that I'm very familiar with: Sade, Fourplay, Jean-Luc Ponty, Norah Jones, Outkast, Prince, Alice in Chains, Prince, and Talking Heads. I listened to each amp for about an hour, then I began switching back and forth after a couple of select tracks.
My opinion disapointed me a little. I very much preferred the sound of the Sony amp over the Rotel. The Rotel seemed to lack detail in low mid-base range and high frequency. When listening to piano I found the Rotel to feel distant and hollow. The Sony is very detailed and the piano sounds like it's in the room with you. Many of the tracks I listened to had soft detail in the music that seemed to disappear with the Rotel. Both "sound" good, but whenn you switch back and forth, the Sony reveals details that I don't want to miss. I don't know if this is the difference between "warm" sounding amp and one that is not. I absolutely do not consider the Sony to be bright or harsh in any way. It was not only in upper frequencies that I heard the lack of detail. Sade's voice seemed to howel with the Rotel while the Sony made her voice sultry (as it really is).
I listend to both amps in 2-ch moded and with my SVS sub. Sound stage on both seemed equal to me. I'm very picky about sound stage, my speakers create a very wide and tall sound stage with great depth. If you close your eyes with any quality recording you would have a very hard time determining where the speakers are located.
I realize that everyone's tastes are very subjective. My dream of upgrading to Rotel electronics is fading fast between my findings with this amp and the hiss issues.
Does this make any sense to anyone, or do you think my findings are inconclusive for any reason. Based upon my opinion, should I look into another manufacturer's products when and if I decide to upgrade in the future?
I'm curious as to what you think...