Which Amp is the best for my speakers?

So you just bought that speaker you always wanted, but now, it is set up in your living room, it does not sound like what it sounded at the showroom?

It must be sales trickery! Right?

Most people abandon the fact that the amplifier you use is one of the most important things you need when driving a speaker.

I am going to use an example:

I had a client coming in on a Sunday, eager to buy a Monitor Audio Bronze floorstander, but after hearing the Monitor Audio RX8, he committed to the superior Silver range from Monitor Audio. The demo was done on a Rotel Pre/Power 200watts combination, which blew him away. Upon asking what electronics he has, he assured me that his Yamaha will do the trick, as the speaker's rated 150watts is way below his Yamaha's "rated" 180 watts per channel. 

a Few days later, I got a call, the client says the speakers does not nearly sound as good as it did during the demonstration, can I help? So I jumped into the van, armed with the same Rotel Pre/Power combo, Audioquest Interconnects, Audioquest custom made speaker cables with banana plugs. Arriving at the client, I quickly added the Power Amp to the existing Yamaha's pre-outs. Magic happened, the client was ecstatic. I proceded by then using the Rotel Pre-amplifier and cabling, where the sound just opened up so much more. Needless to say, the client upgraded to the better, newer and more powerful system, and was happy.

SO, WHAT THE WATTS IS GOING ON?

So I am not going to bore you with the technical explanations, it is time-consuming, it is debatable, it is always being challenged, so here I will follow with the easiest way to explain it.

You have a Hyundai rated at 140kw, and a Mercedes rated at 140kw. Who will win the race? Same power right? But do we take into account weight, efficiencies, using more low-cost manufacturing components vs newer technology? Mercedes will always win, it just does it better, with the same rated power. You might add, the Mercedes has more torque...which makes for the next paragraph.

You never walk into an audio shop and asks for the most powerful Wattifier. You ask for an Amplifier, which produces amps, which is the actual electrical current driving the motors in your speakers, which produces watts.

Why the watts then?

Mostly marketing really! Thank you Sony PMPO.

So how do I choose?

There is no better way to choose the right amp for the right speakers, then going for an auditioning at your local showroom. Contact your local importer of the speaker brand you have, and ask them what they would recommend.

Example, KEF would most of the times recommend you look into Primare, which powers their speakers exceptionally well. Primare also powers most British speakers very well, including B&W and Monitor Audio.

Another example will be Yamaha driving Bowers and Wilkins very well, but not KEF as much, as KEF tends to be very sharp on the higher frequencies when coupled with a Yamaha, which is naturally a sharper sounding amplifier, which is once again neutralized by the B&W's warm sound.

You would find a Focal Speaker will not work at all with Primare or Class D amplifiers, yet, enjoys Class A and AB amplifiers from McIntosh and Marantz/Denon.

Go and audition, don't just read about it, it is much more fun!

New Rotel RSP-1572 Processor

ROTEL RSP-1572

 

The RSP-1572 is Rotel’s latest 7.1 surround sound preamplifier. Its advanced design builds upon a progression of outstanding home theater processors that have received critical acclaim around the globe. The RSP-1572 features important new technologies such as HDMI 1.4 with 3D capability. It offers six HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs with one HDMI output having ARC capability (Audio Return Channel). The ARC in HDMI 1.4 enables a TV via a single HDMI cable, to send audio data “upstream” to an A/V receiver or surround audio controller, increasing user flexibility and eliminating the need for any separate S/PDIF audio connection.

Dual 32 Bit DSP’s and 24Bit/192K audio DACs ensure highest quality playback performance.

A USB front input for iPod/iPhone/iPad or other MP3 player use is included. The USB input provides a digital connection so that the RSP-1572’s internal 24 bit/192kHz DACs can do the crucial decoding for best sound quality.

The desire to have a central AV system with audio and video available in additional rooms is a highly requested feature by today’s consumers. The RSP-1572 provides three additional zone outputs for composite video and analog audio. Zone control includes source selection, volume and on/off. The RSP-1572 front panel display shows current source, volume and DSP mode. The OSD (On Screen Display) is available for customer setup using the HDMI, Component, or Composite main video outputs. Remote control zone operation can be utilized by purchasing optional RS-232 touchpads by companies such as Crestron and RTI, or most IR based keypad systems.

The Rotel RSP-1572 will be available in Mid November from Sound and Image Menlyn Park, contact me for more info or pre-orders.

Rotel Home Theatre Receivers

Intro

Welcome to the world of Rotel...

Exceptional Sound. No Exceptions! 

They are a forty-eight year old high performance audio / video manufacturer of receivers, preamplifiers, surround sound processors, power amplifiers, DVD players, CD players, tuners and multi-zone electronics for hi fi and home theater.

RSX-1560

Rotel’s RSX-1560 receiver delivers top-of-the-line performance and all of the features you have come to expect from our premium brand. At 7 x 100 watts into 8 ohms, or 7 x 200 watts into 4 ohms, this advanced surround receiver can fill your family or media room with dynamic, pulse-pounding, cinematic sound effects. 

Yet, it is just as adept at revealing all of the nuances in your favorite music recordings. The RSX-1560 surround receiver features an audiophile quality Class D amplifier design, along with HDMI 1.3 connections and the ability to decode Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, dts-HD Master Audio and dts HD Hi-Resolution audio codecs. The RSX-1060 is a true theater command center and can also provide a multiroom audio solution with up to three additional audio zones throughout the home. All 15 series components are available in brushed silver or black finishes. 

*Note – all Rotel 15 series components may be rack mounted and remotely controlled via RS-232, IR, or 12 volt (depending on model) for complete stealth operation.

Specifications

• 100 watts x 7 channels 
• 200 watts x 7 channels 4 ohms
• Audiophile-quality Class D amplifier design
• Expanded HDMI v1.3a ports x 4 with Deep Color and xvYCC 
• Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and dts-HD™ Master Audio, dts HD Hi-Resolution 
• Faroudja video processing 
• 1080P 24Hertz compliant
• Assignable channels for bi-amping main speakers or second zone
• Rear Panel RS-232C and multiple IR
• Assignable 12 volt triggers
• Second, third and fourth zone capable 
• Detachable A.C. cord 
• 4U cabinet

RSX-1550

The RSX-1550 provides virtually all of the same features found on the RSX-1560 but with a 5 x 100 watt per channel output design. If your needs grow, its on-board seven channel processing enables you to add an RB-1562 (2 x 100 watt per channel) power amplifier for full 7.1 operation. 


No obsolescent designs here! The RSX-1550 is a Class AB design built on over 40 years manufacturing experience. It includes HDMI 1.3 connections and the same ability to handle the new audio codecs by Dolby and dts as the RSX-1560 and also includes the same multizone audio and custom installation features. 
If you are considering a five-channel theater now but may want to grow into a larger system later on, this is the surround receiver for you. 


*Note – The RSX-1550 is not a standard U height product but it can be rack mounted and remotely controlled via RS-232, IR, or 12 volt (depending on model) for complete stealth operation.



Specification

• 100 watts x 5 channels high performance amplification
• 7.1CH surround sound processing. Power amplifier assign feature integrates additional amplifier for 7 channel operation.
•  Expanded HDMI v1.3a ports x 4 with Deep Color and xvYCC 
• Dolby® TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and dts-HD™ Master Audio, dts HD Hi-Resolution 
• Faroudja video processing 
• 1080P 24Hertz compliant
• Second, third and fourth zone capable 
• +12 volt 150mA assignable trigger output 
• RS-232C system control and multiple IR 
• IR Serial I/O control ports 
• Detachable A.C. cord 
• 150mm cabinet (not U height)

RSP-1572

HOME THEATRE PROCESSOR

The RSP-1572 is Rotel’s latest 7.1 surround sound preamplifi er. Its advanced design builds upon a progression of outstanding home theater processors that have received critical acclaim around the globe. The RSP-1572 features important new technologies such as HDMI 1.4 with 3 D capability. It offers six HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs with one HDMI output having ARC capability (Audio Return Channel). 

The ARC in HDMI 1.4 enables a TV via a single HDMI cable, to send audio data “upstream” to an A/V receiver or surround audio controller, increasing user flexibility and eliminating the need for any separate S/PDIF audio connection.

Specifications

• Dual DSP Supports Dolby HD & DTS 7.1 +XS, +PLIIx, +PLIIz
• Faroudja video scalar
• ARC and CEC Enabled
• 3-D Pass-Through Compatible
• Analog to HDMI 1080p Scalar
• 12V Trigger Out (6)
• Rear IR Zone Pass through

POWER AMPLIFIERS

RMB - 1565

The RMB-1565 is designed around the same superb Class D design as the RMB-1575 but with a slightly smaller output of 5 x 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms. It is the perfect choice for medium to large home theater rooms.

 Plus, just like its bigger brother, it will double its output with more difficult lower impedance loads, thereby providing 5 x 200 watts into 4 ohms. It also includes all of the custom installation features such as 12 volt triggers, and “U height” dimensions that are demanded of today’s modern power amplifiers. 

Specification

• 100 watts x 5 channels high performance audio amplifier
• 200 watts x 5 channels 4 ohms
• Class D energy efficient design
• 12 volt trigger
• Five way binding posts
• 2U cabinet

Rotel RMB - 1575

Larger listening environments require prodigious amounts of power to deliver room filling sound. That’s exactly what you get with Rotel’s 5 x 250 watt power amplifier. It is important to note that this specification is provided with “all channels driven at 8 ohms” unlike some other manufacturers who stretch the ratings by listing them at 6 ohms or with only one or two channels being driven. 

Rotel’s RMB-1575 is a true high current audiophile design and can double its output to 5 x 500 watts at 4 ohms with all channels driven. Pure muscle alone, however, does not make a superb amplifier. The RMB-1575 excels at extracting all of the smallest audio details from both music and movie soundtracks alike. 

Best of all, even with its high power capability the RMB-1075 runs relatively cool, extending the components lifespan thanks to its innovative Class D design.

Specification

• 250 watts x 5 channels high performance audio amplifier
• 500 watts x 5 channels 4 ohms
• Class D energy efficient design
• 12 volt trigger
• Five way binding posts
• 3U cabinet

GALLERY

B&W CM7 Speakers With Rotel Processor and Power Amplifier