Need help deciding; Rotel RB-1070, Anthem pva-2 NA

[sonofjack]

Good day all my fellow audio enthusiast/nuts, This is my first time posting on this forum even though I am here at least twice to 3 times a week or more reading all of your opinions and views on various equipment. I am trying to make a decision as to which 2 channel amp I should purchase for my system. The purpose will be primarily to drive my front 2 channels strictly for music listening; home theater is secondary. I am currently using a Harman Kardon AVR-635 to drive all channels; however, I will be replacing the main front channels with the new Amp, I will continue to drive the center and rears with the HK. My main speakers are a pair of Wharfedale Opus 1s which can be considered laid back and a bit dark, they will be the recipients of the new power amp. I have auditioned an NAD-C272 and A Rotel RB 1070 and like the sound of both. Although I haven't been able to audition the Anthem pva-2 or the Parasound New Classic 2125, I have read favorable reviews about both. With your opinion, my decision will be cemented. Your opinions and advice will be much appreciated. Responses can also be sent to my e-mail address at jaxn9463@netzero.net

Dennis

 

[mtrycrafts]

Good day all my fellow audio enthusiast/nuts, This is my first time posting on this forum even though I am here at least twice to 3 times a week or more reading all of your opinions and views on various equipment. I am trying to make a decision as to which 2 channel amp I should purchase for my system. The purpose will be primarily to drive my front 2 channels strictly for music listening; home theater is secondary. I am currently using a Harman Kardon AVR-635 to drive all channels; however, I will be replacing the main front channels with the new Amp, I will continue to drive the center and rears with the HK. My main speakers are a pair of Wharfedale Opus 1s which can be considered laid back and a bit dark, they will be the recipients of the new power amp. I have auditioned an NAD-C272 and A Rotel RB 1070 and like the sound of both. Although I haven't been able to audition the Anthem pva-2 or the Parasound New Classic 2125, I have read favorable reviews about both. With your opinion, my decision will be cemented. Your opinions and advice will be much appreciated. Responses can also be sent to my e-mail address at jaxn9463@netzero.net

Dennis

What is the impedance on those speakers? Its sensitivity?
Maybe your perceptions are misleading?
Have you considered the Behringer A500? $180. 120watts in stereo mode. Over 300 watts bridged into 8 ohm load for $360. Hard to beat.

 

[mike c]

the anthem pva's are 100-105wpc ... the rotel 1070 is 130wpc
If it were up to me, i'd go for the Rotel.

 

[sonofjack]

What is the impedance on those speakers? Its sensitivity?
Maybe your perceptions are misleading?
Have you considered the Behringer A500? $180. 120watts in stereo mode. Over 300 watts bridged into 8 ohm load for $360. Hard to beat.

The Wharfedales are 6 ohms nominal and no, I haven't considered the Behringer, This is my first time even hearing about this brand. I will do a bit of internet research but I don't think these will even be in the lineup.

 

[sonofjack]

the anthem pva's are 100-105wpc ... the rotel 1070 is 130wpc
If it were up to me, i'd go for the Rotel.

Mike, the Rotel is a frontrunner; do you think the sound quality is equal to the other frontrunner,? the Anthem?

 

[mike c]

I have not heard the anthem, only the Rotel.
but you have to consider that there are a lot of opinions with regards to amps:
1) those who think ALL amps (when designed/built properly) sound the same
2) those who think that amps have different sound quality from each other
3) those who prefer to let specs and aesthetics decide (since I can't demo the items)

I belong in the third camp:
PVA=aesthetics winner for me (but my brother thinks it looks like a refrigerator), auto signal sense ON

Rotel=bigger wpc (conservative), higher damping factor, 1070 can be bridged, and last but not the least ... it rocked for me, "why change a good thing".


the anthem dealer actually told me that the Rotels are actually low end in comparison to anthem. the problem is, it is the anthems that are cheaper than the Rotels.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The Wharfedales are 6 ohms nominal and no, I haven't considered the Behringer, This is my first time even hearing about this brand. I will do a bit of internet research but I don't think these will even be in the lineup.

That A500 is also been discussed here. Try a search on it. It will handle it unbridged, normal stereo mode, no sweat. Hard to beat the price and performance.

 

[beppe61]

That A500 is also been discussed here.
Try a search on it. It will handle it unbridged, normal stereo mode, no sweat. Hard to beat the price and performance.

Dear Sir,
did you try it? With which speakers ?
At present I have a Samson Servo 260 power amp, rated 120W/4 ohm.
I wonder if the more power of the A500 (about 200W/4 ohm) could give me a more powerful low end that I find too weak with the Samson.
I saw the interiors of the A500 and I liked extremely its clean lay-out.

Thank you very much indeed.
Kind regards,

beppe

 

[mike c]

beppe,
assuming you don't get the 60hz hum I've seen people complain about ... you can use 2 a500's to give you all the power you need (bi-amped, not bridged - the a500 cant handle 4ohms bridged)

 

[beppe61]

beppe,
assuming you don't get the 60hz hum I've seen people complain about ... you can use 2 a500's to give you all the power you need (bi-amped, not bridged - the a500 cant handle 4ohms bridged)

Thank you very much Sir for your very kind and valuable reply.
I have had problem of hum with my current Samson 260.
I solved it disconnecting the ground from the amp.
I was somewhat worried about this solution until I noticed that also the mentioned Rotel RB-1070 comes without the ground pin on the rear IEC receptacle.
Following your advice I could try one A500 first and if it is not enough add just another one and bridged them.

Thank you very much indeed.
Kind regards,

beppe

 

[sonofjack]

I have not heard the anthem, only the Rotel.
but you have to consider that there are a lot of opinions with regards to amps:
1) those who think ALL amps (when designed/built properly) sound the same
2) those who think that amps have different sound quality from each other
3) those who prefer to let specs and aesthetics decide (since I can't demo the items)

I belong in the third camp:
PVA=aesthetics winner for me (but my brother thinks it looks like a refrigerator), auto signal sense ON

Rotel=bigger wpc (conservative), higher damping factor, 1070 can be bridged, and last but not the least ... it rocked for me, "why change a good thing".


the anthem dealer actually told me that the Rotels are actually low end in comparison to anthem. the problem is, it is the anthems that are cheaper than the Rotels.

Well Mike C, the tilt towards the Rotel is now a bit steeper. Although the Anthem dealer is in walking distance of where I live, that Amp is also $50.00 more than the Rotel. More power for less money =s a definate advantage. As mentioned before, I have heard the Rotel and liked what I heard. I havent heard the harshness some have said existed which was one of my concerns. There was also some talk of transformer hum also which I didnt hear. So I have to drive 28 miles for the Rotel, I think it is worth the expenditure in gas for more power and less cash! My decision, although not final, will be in about a week.

 

[sonofjack]

I have not heard the anthem, only the Rotel.
but you have to consider that there are a lot of opinions with regards to amps:
1) those who think ALL amps (when designed/built properly) sound the same
2) those who think that amps have different sound quality from each other
3) those who prefer to let specs and aesthetics decide (since I can't demo the items)

I belong in the third camp:
PVA=aesthetics winner for me (but my brother thinks it looks like a refrigerator), auto signal sense ON

Rotel=bigger wpc (conservative), higher damping factor, 1070 can be bridged, and last but not the least ... it rocked for me, "why change a good thing".


the anthem dealer actually told me that the Rotels are actually low end in comparison to anthem. the problem is, it is the anthems that are cheaper than the Rotels.

Actually, the Anthem PVA-2 has had a price increase in February, it was increased from $649 to $750 so they are higher priced than Rotel.