Hello! I need advice rsp-1068 vs emotiva or something else?

[generalkorrd]

Hi I'm new to the forums, but not to audio, be it car or home. I am somewhat behind the times as far as home audio is concerned. Anyway, on to my question.

I have a pair of Soundcraftsmen pm 860 amps driving a 2.1 type setup. I am torn between the Rotel rsp-1068, and I just discoverd the Emotiva- both the surround and the 2.1 preamp. I am not going to be doing any more than the 2.1 in the foreseeable future, although I am running my cable box and ps3 into my stereo for my sound. My goal is the best sq for this setup, and I also need to have a subout from the preamp. That is why I am looking at the Rotel, it maximizes my budget. I tripped on the Emotiva pieces while finalizing my decision. Apperently the Emo stereo preamp is one of the only ones with a subout? Does it have digital ins? if not, then I am back to surround pre/pros. In that case, I can get the Emo and the Rotel for the same money, but which is better? Or is there a quality stereo preamp out there that takes digital ins and has a subout-new or used is fine. Any advice would be great

 

[pelennor]

The lack of crossover on your sub amp is going to make it trickier to integrate the two than if you could just pass it a full range signal. If you want to do it digitally, the UMC-1 is really the best option, particularly for the price. Someone on the Emotiva forums compared the UMC-1 and the Rotel you're looking at, and actually preferred the UMC-1 sound.

Otherwise, you're going to basically have to use an external crossover. For that configuration, I'd go for an Emotiva XDA-1 DAC (2 x optical and 2x coax inputs should be enough for your sources). Then, on each output channel connect an RCA splitter (eg http://emotiva.com/xrca1x2.shtm, or you can used balanced XLR connectors if your amps support them ). Run one set of left and right outputs into your amp for your mains, and then run the others via an external crossover to the sub. From what I've read people are using products like the Behringer DCX2496 or the MiniDSP to achieve this. You'll probably need to use some room equalisation software to measure and tune this kind of setup.

Of these two approaches, I'd guess you'll get slightly better sound quality from the second one, but it's going to require a bit more fiddling and setup to get it "just so". Plus if you think you have any chance whatsoever of moving to more than 2.1 in future, you're best just getting the UMC-1 and being done with it.

 

[generalkorrd]

I was just looking at going with the xda-1/ crossover path. I was actually looking at DBX either the 223 or 234, although it looks like the 234 is more than I need, I only need a 2 way. I was thinking to pass the whole signal to the xover, and branching from that. Are there any products like the xda-1 that has a subout? Other than the lack of that, the xda-1 would already be ordered! I have a budget of 500, which the Rotel, umc-1, and the xda-1/dbx will fall under. I appreciate your answer, and any other help!

 

[pelennor]

Yes, that would work. Connect all your sources to the XDA-1, connect the balanced XLR XDA-1 outputs to the dbx 223xs inputs, then the dbx outputs go to both your amps.

Note that if your amps don't have XLR inputs, you'll instead need to use the dbx223s version instead, and used balanced XLR to TLS cables as interconnects between the XDA-1 and DBX

 

[generalkorrd]

I think I may cheap out and go with the xda-1, and use passive xovers on my subs. Any opinions on using a rca splitter from the xda-1 to my 2 amps? The nice thing about this route is that if I feel the passives suck, I can always add the dbx 223 later. Opinions?

 

[generalkorrd]

Duhhh, my dumb self forgot- no tone controls on the xda-1. My inexperience with a standalone dac is showing! So, I'm back to the rsp-1068 vs umc-1. Decisions...........

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

option b) just use mid-range receiver - like refub Marantz 6004 here:
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARSR6004/Marantz-SR6004-110w-X-7ch-Home-Theater-Surround-Receiver/1.html

You'd get MUCH better bass management, better than umc-1 reliability, eq and tone controls you desire

you could easily connect your amps to pre-outs of 6004

 

[generalkorrd]

I appreciate the idea of using a reciever, but I have it in my mind to go with a pre/pro. I have always understood that the preamp stages in these units are far superior to the preamp stage in a reciever, and that is what Im after. I have been checking out the Emo and the Rotel, and both will work for me, it's a matter of the Rotel brand/quality vs Emo being new with all the newset tech, in case I do feel like building up later. As far as tone controls go, I hardly ever touch them after I have set them, but I feel that I will miss them if they aren't there.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I have always understood that the preamp stages in these units are far superior to the preamp stage in a receiver, .

I will not try to convince you what some better receivers (like Denon AVR-5308) doing actually are better than dedicated separates , but I highly doubt you'd hear the difference between them. If anything it would very very minor. However better bass integration - you will notice and will give you significantly better results in the lower end

 

[generalkorrd]

Well, I decide to pull the trigger on the umc-1. The 5 year warranty, the fact that it is not obsolete( yet!), the apparent factory support/customer service are the main reasons why I got this one. Lets hope that it is a good unit for me, and I may even buy Emo again!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Well, I decide to pull the trigger on the umc-1. The 5 year warranty, the fact that it is not obsolete( yet!), the apparent factory support/customer service are the main reasons why I got this one. Lets hope that it is a good unit for me, and I may even buy Emo again!

read this thread - start at the end
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62205&highlight=umc-1

 

[generalkorrd]

Ok. You're talking about firmware issues? I'm not worried about that, they have the capability to update the unit, and I can follow instructions as good as the next guy. Plus, I won't be using most of the modes/ features that cause these issues in the first place. For now, it will be a 2.1 preamp, and the only input to it will be digital coax from my tv--which has the ps3 and cablebox going into it.