Power Amp Help - Rotel or NAD

[kingo102]

Hey guys,

My first post in this forum! Am currently in the stages of choosing a power-amp for my stereo setup. Have managed to get it down to two choices:

1. ~ $900AUD NAD C272 (2x150W 8ohms - is the power amp in the 372 integrated amp)
2. $750AUD Rotel RB-1070 (2x130 8ohms)

I have auditioned the NAD integrated and do like the sound and grunt it provides. Have not been able to listen to the rotel, due to lack of demo places here in Brissy. However from reviews etc I've heard it is good too. My only quibble is that the Rotel doesn't have an input level control - which I will probably need in the future. Can I buy these separately (any ideas where to look)??

Was just wondering if anyone had any pointers/opinions/experiences with these two babies to help me choose which way to go. At present they're powering some pretty beefy KEF Concertos.

Thanks for the help,
Dave

PS. What about the Rotel RB-1080??? I've heard it can be had for $1200 is it worth the extra dough. I'm just starting out on my system and maybe this would be a good investment??

[El Bastardo]

G'day,

kingo102 wrote:

> 1. ~ $900AUD NAD C272 (2x150W 8ohms - is the power amp in the 372
> integrated amp)

I do like NAD. I'd probably choose this over the RB-1070 (and I've got
the Rotel RMB-1095 5x200w amp).

> 2. $750AUD Rotel RB-1070 (2x130 8ohms)

Stereo Supplies down the Gold Coast currently have an RB-1070 for $649.
But I've found that you can get significant discounts on Rotel product
anyway. So give them a call and they might lower the price further (ask
for Peter).

For about $1100 you could get the Rotel RB-1080 2x200w. The 1080 is a
great little amp, and I'm hoping to pick one up soon. The damping
factor, if that's important to you, is 1000 on the 1080, and 500 for the
1070. But the 1070 can be bridged to 1x390w, although some people reckon
that bridging decgrades the sound quality.

[...]

> My only quibble is that the Rotel doesn't have an input
> level control - which I will probably need in the future.

Why do you need an input level control on an power amp? Do you intend to
plug a CD player directly into it?

-- Geoff

[kingo102]

Hey,

Thanks for the help Geoff. If I could find the 1080 for $1100 would prob go with that. DF of 1000??! This baby must have a huge peak current. You said to talk to Peter, is that Peter Bardon at Stereo Supplies Brisbane??

Cheers,
Dave

[bassett]

Also don't forget that Rotel under rate there power outputs, I have a 1070,
and can tell you , it will handle any Speaker combination you can throw at
it.
There Power supplies are better than units valued at twice the price

bassett

"El Bastardo" <ewww@dogwater.org> wrote in message
news:Xeajd.20820$K7.3605@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> G'day,
>
> kingo102 wrote:
>
> > 1. ~ $900AUD NAD C272 (2x150W 8ohms - is the power amp in the 372
> > integrated amp)
>
> I do like NAD. I'd probably choose this over the RB-1070 (and I've got
> the Rotel RMB-1095 5x200w amp).
>
> > 2. $750AUD Rotel RB-1070 (2x130 8ohms)
>
> Stereo Supplies down the Gold Coast currently have an RB-1070 for $649.
> But I've found that you can get significant discounts on Rotel product
> anyway. So give them a call and they might lower the price further (ask
> for Peter).
>
> For about $1100 you could get the Rotel RB-1080 2x200w. The 1080 is a
> great little amp, and I'm hoping to pick one up soon. The damping
> factor, if that's important to you, is 1000 on the 1080, and 500 for the
> 1070. But the 1070 can be bridged to 1x390w, although some people reckon
> that bridging decgrades the sound quality.
>
> [...]
>
> > My only quibble is that the Rotel doesn't have an input
> > level control - which I will probably need in the future.
>
> Why do you need an input level control on an power amp? Do you intend to
> plug a CD player directly into it?
>
> -- Geoff

[El Bastardo]

G'day,

bassett wrote:

> Also don't forget that Rotel under rate there power outputs,

True, but I think NAD also do the same.

> I have a 1070, and can tell you , it will handle any Speaker
> combination you can throw at it.

I had a Rotel RMB-1075 5x120w amp, and I tried using it to drive some
B&W 805 speakers. The sound was a bit anaemic. I heard the same speakers
through a Rotel RB-1080 2x200w amp and it was *much* better.

-- Geoff

[kingo102]

Geoff,

May be down for a 1080 too, that's if I can get it down to $1100.. Anyways, I've heard that a revised version of the 1080 has been released, with numerous small improvements (dual speaker terminals for bi-wiring is one) on a US forum. Will try and tack the post down if I can.

Have you heard anything about this??

Dave

EDIT:

Have just sent an email to rotel requesting more info on this

[El Bastardo]

G'day,

kingo102 wrote:
> Anyways, I've heard that a revised version of the 1080 has been
> released, with numerous small improvements (dual speaker terminals for
> bi-wiring is one) on a US forum.

Would that forum be Club Rotel?

Version 3 of 1080 has the dual binding posts, but I haven't checked the
back of any 1080 amps around the stores lately to see if these are
available in Australia.

It may be that the older versions would be cheaper than the newer version.

-- Geoff

[JDH]

I purchased my Rotel RB-1080 in silver with the dual set of binding posts
(latest version) it was a shop display version cost $1150 so $1100 would be
a pretty hot price. Also picked up the RB-1070 for $699. The RB-1080 does
sound better than the RB-1070 however I don't think the differnce would be
that great with efficeint speakers.

I think the person who asked the original question would be pretty happy
with either the Rotel or NAD at this price point.

"El Bastardo" <ewww@dogwater.org> wrote in message
news:I5wjd.24766$K7.10490@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
> G'day,
>
> kingo102 wrote:
>> Anyways, I've heard that a revised version of the 1080 has been
>> released, with numerous small improvements (dual speaker terminals for
>> bi-wiring is one) on a US forum.
>
> Would that forum be Club Rotel?
>
> Version 3 of 1080 has the dual binding posts, but I haven't checked the
> back of any 1080 amps around the stores lately to see if these are
> available in Australia.
>
> It may be that the older versions would be cheaper than the newer version.
>
> -- Geoff