Rotel RSX-1055, RSX-1065, or RSP-1066/Amp? (1 Viewer)

[Victor Chan]

Considering purchasing a Rotel front-end to power some Dynaudio Acoustics BM5s in a new 5.1 50%music/50% HT setup. I auditioned the speakers with a RSP-1066/RMB-1095 combo, and while the $3500 for the set (and not a small sum for the accompanying interconnects) might not be outlandishly high, I am looking for a more economic way to achieve roughly the same sound quality.

I have heard rumors that the RSX-1055 is more or less the RSP-1066 with an amp section attached. Given the price, I find that highly unlikely (the RSX-1055 is actually $200 less than the RSP-1066 alone).

Even if this is not the case, if the pre/pro section of the RSX-1055 is sufficiently close to that of the RSP-1066 (someone on the Club Rotel forum stated that given his setup, he couldn't tell the difference between the two when using the RSX-1055 purely as a pre/pro), that gives me the option of using the RSX-1055 to drive the speakers until I deem it necessary to upgrade to a RMB-1075 or 1095 amp and use the AVR as a pre/pro. One can't even argue that I payed for an amp section that I won't in the future use because the entire unit is less than the price of the RSP-1066.

A more difficult question is whether it is worthwhile to spring the extra $700 for the RSX-1065, given that if I do in the future upgrade with an external amp, I AM paying more for an unused amp section since the same pre/pro can be had for less in the RSX-1055. However, testimonials have stated that the RSX-1065 does sound noticeably more detailed than the RSX-1055... Decisions, decisions!

Also, in one of the previous threads on this forum, there was a rumor that the RSX-1065 may be replaced by a newer model in the near future... Any truth to these rumors?

Sorry for the length of this post. Thanks in advance for any advice or input you may have on this matter.

 

[NickSP]

Is there a Rotel dealer near you that can hook up the various combinations you desire? That way you will get a very good idea of what to get.

 

[Joe]

I can't comment on the 1066 but I listened to the 1055 and 1065 and, to me, the 1065 sounded better. Maybe that is due to the toroidal transformer in the 1065 (not in the 1055). With that said, I believe the 1065 & the 1066 w/RMB 1075 amp(toroidal transformer also) are comparable in cost so to me I would go with the more flexable option(1066 & 1075). Of course this is assuming that the 1066 sounds as good as the 1065. I believe the 1065 is older that the other two and it might have a few less options. (Dolby-EX anyone on the 1065???)

I'm considering the 1055 or 1066 myself. Since I already have a nice 2 channel Rotel amp, the 1055 may be enough for me.

That's my take on it.

 

[Gianni]

Victor,

I recently found myself pondering the very same questions. I spent considerable time looking for answers. Yes, the 1055 is very similar to the 1066. Noise is a little higher but that is to be expected with the on-board amp. Rotel maintains that the 1066 has better performance which would be more noticeable in higher end systems. They also say that the 1055 will perform well as a pre/pro. Frankly, I did not hear a big difference. If you eventually add an outboard amp to your 1055 I think it really narrows the gap between the 1055 and 1066/amp. I perceive the amp section to be the weakest link in the 1055 ( although it is good for a receiver ).

As for the 1065--Yes it has a better amp but still has some of the inherent disadvantages of a receiver. For the extra 700 dollars I'll take the 1055 with an out-board amp for the mains. This should out perform the 1065's amp section. And, if you shop around you can probably get a 5ch amp for close to the difference. If I were to step up to the 1065, I'd probably go the extra mile for the 1066/1075 combo--you are almost there.

What did I do? For my small room I went with the 1055. If I then desire more I will add the external amp which will hold its own against the amp section of the 1065. For me, this gives me the ultimate flexibility. For example, I can later add a 2ch pre for music to the ext. amp and still have the 1055 for HT in a separate room or use the ext amp for a 2nd zone. Also, the 1055 does have a couple of extra features over the 1065 and I like the newer 1066 style display.

By the way, I did audition the 1055 using 4 ohm speakers and also compared to other more powerful receivers. The amp section handled the 4 ohm speakers just fine.

 

[JohnSC]

I have the 1066 and 1075 combo and am very pleased with them. I know the 1075 is smaller in power ouput than the 1095 but I wouldn't under estimate its abilities.

 

[Victor Chan]

Thanks for all your comments. I will try to visit a local authorized dealer so that I may demo the RSX-1055 vs. the RSP-1066/amp combo. If the pre-pro/amp combo does sound superior, then I'll compare the RSX-1055/outboard amp combo wth the RSP-1066/amp combo.

Why? Unless I find the RSP-1066/1075 or 1095 amp combo far superior to the RSX-1055, I like the idea of being able to use the RSX-1055 for now and then, when I feel more comfortable investing more into the setup, upgrade by adding an outboard amp such as Rotel's RMB-1095 or even go more upscale with the like of Bryston's 9B-SST without making my initial investment into the RSX-1055 obsolete.

I think this gives me the most flexibility both equipment-wise and monetarywise. But, the final decider will of course be the sonic performance of the RSX-1055 unit when I get a chance to audition it.

Any word on the much talked about bass management issues with the RSP-1066 and the RSX-1055? Have the most recent firmware upgrades fixed this yet or is a patch still in the works?

Thanks again for all your help thus far.

 

[Joe]

Victor - Please post your observations after demoing the Rotels. I for one, would be very interested in your opinion and decision. Thanks.

 

[Andrew Pratt]

Wise choice.