In May, I got rid of some twenty year old gear and bought a Rotel rc/rb 1590 preamp/amp combo and rcd 1572 CD player thinking I was done. Sadly, I read Nonoise’s Kinki review and wondered....
Several months later, with and without a switch between the amps, using all the Rotel gear, a Nuprime dac10, a nuprime cdt 8 pro, and KEF R 900 speakers, my subjective conclusions are:
1. The Kinki just sounds better or smoother, though not greatly so, and I can listen to the Kinki for hours without fatigue, since the Rotel gear seems to have a slightly sharp edge;
2. The little Schitt Loki (with the Kinki) works wonders for problematic source or room conditions;
3. Both brands have wonderful, wide soundstage but the Rotel combo has somewhat superior 3d placement; and,
4. The Kinki’s detail, under identical conditions, with identical sources, is much more noticeable.
So, I’ve made my decision. The Kinki will be my primary system, and Rotel secondary.
Some will be surprised at my very subjective conclusions in that I merely “prefer” the Kinki, but these things are hard to quantify. I thought the matter in equipoise until I realized the Kinki is pleasing for hours on end.
Sum: thanks a lot, Nonoise, as you cost She Who Must Be Obeyed a nicer Christmas. 🙀
Several months later, with and without a switch between the amps, using all the Rotel gear, a Nuprime dac10, a nuprime cdt 8 pro, and KEF R 900 speakers, my subjective conclusions are:
1. The Kinki just sounds better or smoother, though not greatly so, and I can listen to the Kinki for hours without fatigue, since the Rotel gear seems to have a slightly sharp edge;
2. The little Schitt Loki (with the Kinki) works wonders for problematic source or room conditions;
3. Both brands have wonderful, wide soundstage but the Rotel combo has somewhat superior 3d placement; and,
4. The Kinki’s detail, under identical conditions, with identical sources, is much more noticeable.
So, I’ve made my decision. The Kinki will be my primary system, and Rotel secondary.
Some will be surprised at my very subjective conclusions in that I merely “prefer” the Kinki, but these things are hard to quantify. I thought the matter in equipoise until I realized the Kinki is pleasing for hours on end.
Sum: thanks a lot, Nonoise, as you cost She Who Must Be Obeyed a nicer Christmas. 🙀