your weakest link is probably your pre-amp.
i had have been very fond of rotel over the years. it was my first upgrade into entry level separates. recently had to seek out new equipment as my rotel pre petered out. she was very good to me and to be honest - it was difficult to find anything that the rotel line had to offer that was nearly as musical as my original $550 8-9 yr. old pre.
i auditioned all of the newer rotel pre-amps with all my familiar gear.... with disheartening results. the only one that even began to sound as musical was their highest end model @ $1500. my ear tells me that their new amps are still decent - but their pre-amps are not nearly what they once were.
this got me thinking - if i am going to spend 3x the bones just to get back where i was - then why not consider how far this same $ could go toward used higher end.
my go-to high-end sales associate here in san diego was very patient thru my rotel dependancy withdraw process. when i couldnt hear the music i was listening for with rotel he finally encouraged me listen to a 10 year old audio research LS3 pre-amp. let me tell you the difference was night and day. i ended up spending $800 on something that was light-years beyond my current paradigm.
get out and start doing some critical listening of all kinds of gear. find a good hi-end store that shares your love for music. take your system in for side by side comparassons. have them set up a sound stages close to what you have at home and let your senses be your guide.
p.s. dont underestimate the benefits of cleaning up the electricity with a power conditioner... improved my systems sound by 60%
i had have been very fond of rotel over the years. it was my first upgrade into entry level separates. recently had to seek out new equipment as my rotel pre petered out. she was very good to me and to be honest - it was difficult to find anything that the rotel line had to offer that was nearly as musical as my original $550 8-9 yr. old pre.
i auditioned all of the newer rotel pre-amps with all my familiar gear.... with disheartening results. the only one that even began to sound as musical was their highest end model @ $1500. my ear tells me that their new amps are still decent - but their pre-amps are not nearly what they once were.
this got me thinking - if i am going to spend 3x the bones just to get back where i was - then why not consider how far this same $ could go toward used higher end.
my go-to high-end sales associate here in san diego was very patient thru my rotel dependancy withdraw process. when i couldnt hear the music i was listening for with rotel he finally encouraged me listen to a 10 year old audio research LS3 pre-amp. let me tell you the difference was night and day. i ended up spending $800 on something that was light-years beyond my current paradigm.
get out and start doing some critical listening of all kinds of gear. find a good hi-end store that shares your love for music. take your system in for side by side comparassons. have them set up a sound stages close to what you have at home and let your senses be your guide.
p.s. dont underestimate the benefits of cleaning up the electricity with a power conditioner... improved my systems sound by 60%
