Just bought 5.1 speakers (RBH). Need electronics to match. (1 Viewer)

[Don Ike]

I finally did it, after months and months of listening and deliberation. We just ordered our 5.1 speaker system:

Left/Center/Right: RBH 661-LSE
Surrounds: RBH 44SE
Sub: RBH 1010SEP (350 Watt)

BTW total cost was about $5400 + shipping. We are new to high-end, but my intention is that we'll have these until we get carried out of our home feet first. They should arrive in about a month, but I've been assured that my Onkyo TS575x receiver will not adequately drive these speakers. If anyone is familiar with these speakers, do you have any suggestions on what electronics I should look at?

I'd like to keep it simple, so the wife (and kids as they get a little older) can use the system. So far, I've kind of been attracted to the Rotel RMB-1075 5-channel amp, which I thought I might mate to a mid-level receiver used in this case as a pre-amp/processor/tuner. (My Onkyo has no pre-outs). Does this sound like a good strategy?

I will try to get some home auditions of the electronics once the speakers arrive, so we can evaluate properly. But I'd like to have a short list developed beforehand so I don't drive the retailer crazy.

Any suggestions are welcome and greatly appreciated.

 

[Dan Driscoll]

Rotel amps should mate nicely with the RBH speakers, but the RBH 661SE's are 4 ohms and might be a little too much for the RMB-1075. I would recommend stepping up to the RMB-1095 if you want to stay with Rotel. A few other 5 channel amps worth serious consideration in the sub $2K range are the Sherbourn 5/5210 and Parasound HCA-2205.

The new Yamaha receivers are getting some excellent reviews, particularly the RX-V1400 and RX-V2400. I use a Yamaha receiver with a Sherbourn amp to drive Paradigm Monitor speakers and it is a very nice combo. I think a similar set-up could sound very good with your RBH speakers.

 

[Don Ike]

Thanks for the suggestions, and the confirmation that this type of setup (i.e. amp w/receiver) should work well.

I took a look at the amps you mentioned, and it seems of all of them (Rotel included), only the Sherbourn is really a "5 monoblock" design. That would seem to give it a leg up on the others, or is this not really critical?

Thanks again for the suggestions, I'm new at this as I said but I'm into learning about it and I'm having a lot of fun as well.

 

[Dan Driscoll]

I'm biased, I demoed all 3 of those amps in my system and went with the Sherbourn 5/1500A (the previous model), partly because of the mono block design. However, I also felt the Sherbourn was the most neutral in my system and had the best bass control and response. However, if I hadn't heard the Sherbourn I would have been pretty happy with either the Parasound or the Rotel. All 3 sounded very good and it really was a matter of personal preference.

I recommend demoing all 3 (and any others you are interested in) in your own home and system, if at all possible. If it is a toss-up between the Sherbourn and another amp, then I would recommend the Sherbourn for the power supply. Otherwise, go with what sounds best in your system.

BTW, I racked my memory and recalled that the RBH speaks I heard were the 1266SE's. They were being driven by an Arcam integrated amp, but I don't recall what model. I do recall they sounded pretty damn good.