Help my Rotel RCD 1072 make music


6 months ago I purchased used Rotel RCD 1072 to pair with my Rotel RA-1062 and B&W 683s. Since the 1072 has been in place, the sound I'm getting is very detailed but flat, sterile, dry. Which is surprising because I was using a cheaper Sony CE595 for 7 years which sounds smoother and warmer in comparison. The 1072 is very attractive and well built but the sound it produces is cold and unemotional. Has anyone else felt similar disappointment with Rotel cd players and what did you do to improve the performance? Cables AQ King Cobra and Bedrock. THanks.
dustsailor
The problem isn't the CD player. Its a combination of your amp and speakers. Of the 2, I would replace the Rotel integrated first. Its an entry level amp. You need find something a high quality preamp. I had my 1072 paired with a Creek 5350SE.If you can find a good used one, that would be ideal. The aluminum tweeter in your speakers isn't helping either.
1st try the CD player in a friend's system

did the Sony CE595 sound better in the same system?  same room with nothing added (like, say, a rug)?
Yes, the Sony was used for a long time in the same room/system. The sound wasn’t steely and edgy like it is now once the Rotel player was added.

dustsailor-


Rotel/B&W combo would benefit from using Transparent cabling instead of Audioquest.


Happy Listening!