Amps! Are balanced inputs essential?

[egreen1976]

I am considering the purchase of a Rotel 1075 Amplifier. I currently have another internet brand with balanced inputs. The Rotel doesn't have balanced inputs. The question is, How essential are balanced inputs? When are they necessary? Do they make a difference for short runs?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

No, you are fine with unbalanced on short runs.

 

[adk highlander]

No, you are fine with unbalanced on short runs.

But they look cool.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Good point, I think I will run and get some.

Glad to see you back on here.

But they look cool.

 

[Warpdrv]

Good point, I think I will run and get some.

Glad to see you back on here.

Yeah, me too....

I might have questions for ya about the Integra 9.9, gotta give it a try...

 

[adk highlander]

Yeah, me too....

I might have questions for ya about the Integra 9.9, gotta give it a try...

Glad to help any way I can. And I'm sure Dave will cover me with anything I forget or has changed on the new model.

 

[phlakvest]

Are you currently using the balanced inputs?

 

[egreen1976]

I am planning on buying the new Rotel or Emotiva pre-pro, so I will have the option for balance.


Actually, ParadigmDawg inspired this move. I am replacing my Emotiva XPA-5 with the Rotel RMB-1075. Definite power downgrade but after the last post I need to real world test for myself how good I feel Emotiva is before I start giving them large sums of my yearly AV budget. I have been A/Bing the XPA-5 vs. the Rotel all week.

 

[Warpdrv]

Are you currently using the balanced inputs?

I am not currently using balanced inputs, my new amp has true balanced inputs but I'm pretty sure that the Integra is not truly "balanced".
It has the XLR connections, but just not designed from top to bottom the way it should.

I am planning on buying the new Rotel or Emotiva pre-pro, so I will have the option for balance.


Actually, ParadigmDawg inspired this move. I am replacing my Emotiva XPA-5 with the Rotel RMB-1075. Definite power downgrade but after the last post I need to real world test for myself how good I feel Emotiva is before I start giving them large sums of my yearly AV budget. I have been A/Bing the XPA-5 vs. the Rotel all week.

I am curious about the real world tests of the Emotiva vs Rotel, what have you found so far...?

 

[egreen1976]

Test So Far

I am using Paradigm Studio 100s with matching paradigm center and surrounds. A denon 53XX receiver (as a pre pro). The four sources I am using are (1) Vinyl with my Pro-ject Perspex table w/ Pro-Ject tube box, 2 Panasonic Blu Ray, 3 SACD, and 4 Streaming MP3 and Apple Losless using Apple TV.


What I have found so far are the following.

Although amps are suppose to be as close to neutral as possible I have noticed difference. The Pure power of the Emotiva is impressive (200 per channel as opposed to the 125 on Rotel). I also have found slightly more clarity, detail and separation with the Rotel. It sounds a tad cleaner especially at louder volumes. The Rotel handles the SACD and Vinyl better. Less forgiving but the sound was cleaner and more dynamic.

and But these improvements were SLIGHT.The Emotiva seemed to be more forgiving. Overall Emotiva's seems to be absolutely a legitimate steal!
If your into raw power it seems Emotiva is the far in away best value on the planet. For me, I will sacrifice cash for slight sound improvement and the Rotel sounds cleaner. Also, I live in a NYC apartment so Power routinely doesn't get used.


This weekend i will be blind testing with 3 friends to make sure I am not being totally biased.

So far the Emotiva is better value and not at all second rate. The Rotel had a cleaner sound with more detail. Again I would like to stress that differences were slight.

 

[Warpdrv]

Thank you....

Its nice to hear a non-biased review of the comparison.
I have been wondering about the SQ of the Emotiva.

I will miss my Rotel, my first amp.... But the Wyred4Sound certainly offers a distinct advantage in power, we'll see how the SQ is, unfortunately I can no longer A/B the two. Mr Impatient DAWG couldn't wait any longer...

Then again, neither can I.... where is that Fed-Ex truck...

 

[3db]

No, you are fine with unbalanced on short runs.

short runs and a noise free environment. If it were a nosiy enironment, emi wise, then balanced would be necessary but most people's homes are relatively free of emi noise.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

My MPS1 had no issue powering my 100's to insane volumes. It was a very nice amp but I am mad at Emo and will never buy anything from them again plus I have always wanted a Rotel.

Where the heck is the UPS truck.......

 

[adk highlander]

Then again, neither can I.... where is that Fed-Ex truck...

Where the heck is the UPS truck.......

You guys are hilarious. To quote one of my favorite singers: "The waiting is the hardest part"

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Where is Adam? I have a feeling he is lurking at the side of my house waiting to steal my amp as soon as UPS drops it off.

 

[egreen1976]

Dawg

I would be interested in your thoughts when you hook up your 1095. I may spring for an upgrade.

Also, why are you mad at Emotiva?

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Long story. I had a few issues with the amp and recieved poor CS from Emo. Others on here have had great service from Emo so I guess I was the unlucky one. Either way, I hold grudges and I am just done with them.

Also, why are you mad at Emotiva?

 

[Tomorrow]

I am using Paradigm Studio 100s with matching paradigm center and surrounds. A denon 53XX receiver (as a pre pro). The four sources I am using are (1) Vinyl with my Pro-ject Perspex table w/ Pro-Ject tube box, 2 Panasonic Blu Ray, 3 SACD, and 4 Streaming MP3 and Apple Losless using Apple TV.


What I have found so far are the following.

Although amps are suppose to be as close to neutral as possible I have noticed difference. The Pure power of the Emotiva is impressive (200 per channel as opposed to the 125 on Rotel). I also have found slightly more clarity, detail and separation with the Rotel. It sounds a tad cleaner especially at louder volumes. The Rotel handles the SACD and Vinyl better. Less forgiving but the sound was cleaner and more dynamic.

and But these improvements were SLIGHT.The Emotiva seemed to be more forgiving. Overall Emotiva's seems to be absolutely a legitimate steal!
If your into raw power it seems Emotiva is the far in away best value on the planet. For me, I will sacrifice cash for slight sound improvement and the Rotel sounds cleaner. Also, I live in a NYC apartment so Power routinely doesn't get used.


This weekend i will be blind testing with 3 friends to make sure I am not being totally biased.

So far the Emotiva is better value and not at all second rate. The Rotel had a cleaner sound with more detail. Again I would like to stress that differences were slight.

Egreen, thanks for your report. How are you switching amps in the listening tests? Ideally, only a few seconds can go by before you've lost the auditory ability to distinguish minor differences. Also, did you set the amps to level match the (speaker) output?