Rotel 1066 vs. Sherbourn 7000 (1 Viewer)

Nick V · Mar 26, 2003

Ok, I talked to the GF, and we (she) decided that I shouldn't (can't) spend more than $2.5-3K CDN on a pre-pro, and I decided that I'm gonna go with a new unit (not used). The Rotel and the Sherbourn are the only two that fit into my budjet, so I'm going to get one of them.

I've listened to both of the units quite extensively, and have decided that both would be worthy of contolling my home theater. I'm not tremendously interested in subjective "sound characteristic" opinions, but I would love to see some objective information on these two units.

If anyone has this info, it would be greatly appreciated because if one of them has significantly better #'s than the other, I won't have such a hard time making up my mind.

BTW, I know about all of the problems/bugs of both of the units, and have unfortunately conceeded that they are acceptable at this price range.

Dave Moritz · Mar 26, 2003

Have you heard about or listened to the new Adcom GTP-860 pre pro? If not you may want to give it a listen.

Adcom’s proprietary 7.1m2 algorithm, Pure class a bifet analog circuitry, Dolby prologic ii decoding, Component video switching, Built-in rds am/fm tuner, Multi-zone source specific outputs, Head phone input with front panel a/v connections, Full set of direct access ir control functionality for custom installation.

http://www.adcom.com/newproducts/gtp860.htm

I beleive you can get it for around $1500 and on this site there is a link where you can get a deal on it. I was at the CES show in Las Vegas and I was impressed with the new Adcom gear. Adcom is making a fresh commitment to making good gear. They are also shipping there gear in wood crates instead of cardboard boxes, kinda cool.

If not I would go for the Rotel, almost forgot have you considered the Sunfire Grand Theater 3 pre pro? That is another great peice.

dpippel · Mar 27, 2003

Be aware that the Sherbourn is just a rebadged Outlaw 950 with a few minor modifications. The Outlaw is only $899.

Charles Gurganus · Mar 27, 2003

I've been told the Sherbourn has more than "a few minor modifications". The dealer told me about 50% of the internals were different/upgraded. You can get the Sherbourn discounted as well if you look around.

Philip Hamm · Mar 27, 2003

I've been told the Sherbourn has more than "a few minor modifications". The dealer told me about 50% of the internals were different/upgraded. You can get the Sherbourn discounted as well if you look around.

I think your dealer is stretching the truth. DO some reading about the clones at the forums on www.outlawaudio.com before believing your dealer. Also, there's a good article about the clones at SMR I think (there's a link from one of the Outlaw forum threads).

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Nick V · Mar 27, 2003

My dealer told me that the capacitors are upgraded, the op amps are upgraded, and one other thing that I can't remember (maybe video board?).

The thing is, I HATE the look of the Outlaw, but the Sherbourn is improved enough that I wouldn't mind having it in my rack. With the exchange rate + shipping costs, the Outlaw would only be a few hundred less than the Sherbourn, and my Sherbourn dealer has an upgrade plan if I should decide that I want an Anthem AVM-20 or Bryston SP-1.7 down the road. I'm hoping I can sneak an upgrade in without the GF finding out (does that make me a bad person?) lol!!

Charles Gurganus · Mar 27, 2003

Nick, that sounds about what my dealer told me about the Sherbourn. I think you are right about improved video board as well.

Phillip I really don't have a horse in this race but I did read some of the propaganda over on the Outlaw board. I liken Outlaw as the point man for the 950. They sure took all the heat and AT and Sherbourn took their design (I am sure they paid for it) and tweaked it somewhat. To what degree I think would take someone (preferably someone neutral) with both boxes and open them up. My dealer said he did that. He had no reason to mislead me as I was not interested in buying either. I DID ask him how the Sherbourn compared to the Sony TA-E9000es (which I have and he also sells) and he said they were pretty close except of course for the newer technology. That doesn't sound like a guy trying to stretch anything.

Greg Conti · Mar 27, 2003

The thing is, I HATE the look of the Outlaw, but the Sherbourn is improved enough that I wouldn't mind having it in my rack. With the exchange rate + shipping costs, the Outlaw would only be a few hundred less than the Sherbourn, and my Sherbourn dealer has an upgrade plan if I should decide that I want an Anthem AVM-20 or Bryston SP-1.7 down the road.

The Sherbourn sounds like the better option to me. I would be willing to spend a extra few hundred dollars just for the better looking faceplate. The fact that you can get local dealer support, an upgrade plan, and some better internals is icing. Sorry but the Outlaw is U G L Y !!!

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Philip Hamm · Mar 27, 2003

Phillip I really don't have a horse in this race but I did read some of the propaganda over on the Outlaw board. I liken Outlaw as the point man for the 950. They sure took all the heat and AT and Sherbourn took their design (I am sure they paid for it) and tweaked it somewhat. To what degree I think would take someone (preferably someone neutral) with both boxes and open them up. My dealer said he did that. He had no reason to mislead me as I was not interested in buying either.

What exactly makes the postings over there "propaganda"? They're just postings by owners and people interested in the products. I guess good customer support is "propaganda" now. If you believe that Sherbourne and AT "tweaked" the original Eastech/Outlaw design to the tune of $400 that's fine, there's plenty of information both in support and to the contrary out there to be had with a simple search. You may want to start with this article right here. It could be that the other units are worth the premium, but I seriously doubt it. The cosmetics are definitely prettier, if that's important, then it may be worth spending the extra money for some people. And local dealer may be important for some people, too. That's a nice thing to have.

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BrentPollard · Mar 27, 2003

Nick V: What is the total price on the Sherbourne? I ask because I got my 1066 for $1899.00CDN.

Nick V · Mar 27, 2003

Retail is ~$2700.00CDN, but I can get it for ~$2250.00CDN give or take a bit.

I'm leaning towards the Rotel, but the double-bass issue on the 5.1 inputs has me a little puzzled and a little pissed off. If not for that, I would have already made the purchase. I know that the bass on the Outlaw/Sherbourn/AT units on the 5.1 inputs is out of phase, but I was planning on using it as an analog bypass.

I mean, there's got to be a way to take the f-ed up filter out of the signal path. Anyone contact Rotel to see if they can ship their unit back to Rotel to have it removed??

Bob Saylor · Mar 27, 2003

I heard that Rotel has a fix for the double bass now. I wish I could remember where I read it but it was just a couple of days ago.

Camp · Mar 27, 2003

If anyone knows it's these guys:

http://www.htguide.com/CFBoards/inde...forum=25&CFB=1

David S · Mar 27, 2003

Off topic-Greg Conti, where are you at in Chino Hills? I also live their.

Greg Conti · Mar 27, 2003

David S. Still broadbandless here at Chino Hills Parkway and Eucalyptus

David S · Mar 28, 2003

Greg we must be neighbors, I'm up the hill at Calle Lomita/Hidden Canyon development. Yea, the internet connection sucks.

Rich Wenzel · Mar 28, 2003

Since no one answered your original question, i'll throw out these objective facts:

1) the rotel is upgradeable, and rotel has done a lot of updates, the sherbourn/outlaw/atlantic tech are not

2) the rotel has rs-232 port, the outlaw and clones do not

3) the outlaw has 6 digital ins (4 opt 2 coax) the rotel only has 5 (3 coax 2 opt)

4) imo the rotel has a better remote, at the very least, everyone would agree that the rotel remote learns codes better than the outlaw and clone remotes

5) older rotel 1066's will have problems switching hd video (not enough bandwidth), i am not sure on the outlaw...newer versions of the rotel have this updated

6) the outlaw and clones have proprietary surround modes that the rotel does not, i do not think the rotel has any surround modes the outlaw doesn't

7) of the companies that are doing the clones and outlaw themselves have not been around as long as rotel, probably don't have as good of a dealer network, and i believe in each of their cases, it is their first HT pre/pro, while this is not the case for rotel

also in one of the magazines, i read an article about the sherbourn, the reviewer said that the "better parts" of the sherbourn had better lab results, he did not say if they were real world or not.

btw, I would not rule at the adcom, but thats not the question you asked

good luck

DarrylM · Mar 29, 2003

1. Yes, but has Rotel actually upgraded the 1066 with any meaningful features that the Outlaw and its clones don't provide already? Does Rotel plan to?

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8. The Outlaw and its clones have an optional low-pass (80 Hz) cut-off for the analog inputs.

9. The Outlaw and its clones have a tuner. (The matching Rotel tuner costs $500.)

10. The Outlaw and its clones have a triple crossover, which allows for greater flexibility with different speaker configurations.

11. To the best of my knowledge, Outlaw has resolved all of its issues. Rotel still has popping noises, double bass problems, etcetera.

12. In my opinion, the Outlaw and its clones have a more logical rear layout than the Rotel (e.g., the video inputs are on the other side of the unit from their corresponding audio inputs on the Rotel).

13. Most of the functions on the Outlaw and its clones are accessible via the front panel. The Rotel requires the use of the remote and on-screen display for many functions.

14. The Rotel unit is considerably more attractive than the Outlaw and its clones.

15. I have heard nothing but praise for Outlaw's customer service. (Haven't heard anything about AT's or Sherbourn's.)

Andrew Pratt · Mar 29, 2003

I was going to write a reponse about the Rotel vs Outlaws but honestly that won't do much good here with the huge number of Outlaw fans so my advice is just listen to both and pick the one you're most happy with. If you want more info on the Rotel visit the link to Club Rotel posted above and we'll set you straight.

Chriss M · Mar 29, 2003

I was going to write a reponse about the Rotel vs Outlaws but honestly that won't do much good here with the huge number of Outlaw fans ...

oddly enough, over on the Outlaw forum a few days ago there was a discussion that mentioned the large number of predominantly anti-outlaw members here at HTF

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