Rotel RSX-1065 - Worth upgrading?

[strube]

So, I was thinking about HDMI and the wonderful world of uncompressed audio, and wondering about upgrading my receiver. I am currently using a Rotel RSX-1065, which sounds amazing, but as far as integrating a few devices with HDMI and a projector without buying a scaler, it can't really happen. I currently have the antique HD DVD player connected to the analog 5.1 external inputs, which will do for the one device, but I want to add a HTPC, Blu-ray, and connect the Xbox 360 with HDMI because I like HDMI. I also have no HDMI switching because the projector cable is hard-wired and can't really afford a good scaler to take care of that. Due to budget considerations, I would probably have to be in the Denon AVR-1909 range of products. What do you guys think?

How much (ballpark) would the Rotel be worth (it is in great condition, cosmetically and otherwise)?

Is it worth trying to sell the Rotel for a "budget" class receiver?

Is it worth giving up the Rotel just to have DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding for 3 components (HTPC, Blu-ray, and HD DVD) and HDMI A/V switching?

 

[jostenmeat]

Is it worth trying to sell the Rotel for a "budget" class receiver?

Is it worth giving up the Rotel just to have DTS-HD and Dolby TrueHD decoding for 3 components (HTPC, Blu-ray, and HD DVD) and HDMI A/V switching?

Oh boy, tough questions. In all honesty, I've been a bit underwhelmed with movie tracks. Oh, I think they can be cool and all, and I do like to crank it time to time, make things shake... have 7.1, might try bipolar surrounds, might even try dedicated side surrounds one day for my two rows...

but I think in the end the resolution wasn't as great as I hoping for. I'd also like to point out that the improvement in bitrate even for ol' DD and DTS improve simply from being on BD instead of DVD. No, I didn't do level-matched double blind testing. Do I think the new tracks sound better. Yes, maybe a tad, depending on the track. Sometimes I don't hear any difference. If I remember, something like DD = 448 to 640 kbs, and DTS (core) from 768 to 1.5mbs. So, really... how much are you really losing?

What I'd investigate.... maybe... is buying a cheap receiver with preouts and the minimum features you desire. Then use the preouts to use your Rotel as an amp.

Or, buy the receiver first where its still easy to return. Try all combinations to be sure for yourself. Maybe you can run certain sources directly to Rotel, such as 2-ch analog, and use the receiver as an HT pre only. I don't even know if this is possible, but just brainstorming on your behalf.

I guess when it comes down to it.. Im thinking if this is 100% HT, get the receiver as long as amp is good enough, and 100% music just keep the Rotel (although I know it can't be 100%).

Toughie.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I agree with Josten.

Overall, I don't think it's worth the upgrade.

Even the latest double-blinded DD/DTS vs TrueHD/DTS-MA publication shows that there isn't much of a difference (if any).

If you have plenty of cash laying around, then sure, why not buy the latest toys?

But I don't think you will hear much of a difference at all (if any) when the sound levels are all matched.

 

[strube]

Thank you for the advice. I probably won't upgrade until I really can upgrade (this stupid master's degree can't come soon enough) to something like mid-range Anthem separates. I will probably get a Blu-ray player that can do all of the internal decoding if I really am concerned with it (I haven't decided if I am yet) and run the HD-DVD and X-Box 360 with component video and optical audio.