Moderators Youthman Posted April 10, 2015 Moderators Share Posted April 10, 2015 (edited) I've been very happy with the performance of the HK3490 connected to an Acurus A200 (200 x 2) amp but like many of you, I have decided to venture into a dedicated Preamp. After much advice from this thread, I decided that I would give the Rotel RC 1070 Preamp a try to see if there is any sonic benefit over my HK3490 2ch Receiver. The Rotel arrived late this evening so of course....in typical Youthman fashion, I unboxed it, setup my camera and took some photos of the Rotel and am now sharing them with you before ever even firing up the Rotel. Call me crazy but I enjoy photography and the fellowship from this community as much as I enjoy audio. Plus I realize since it's late, I won't be able to do any real A/B testing with my wife and kids asleep. That will take place in the morning. For now....I have a few photos I can share Edited April 10, 2015 by Youthman 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cradeldorf Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 She sure is pretty. I actually started hunting a good 2 channel amp today to replace my HK 3390. Not that I can afford one but kinda wanna see what else is out there with a little more power (150 watts) and higer end internals. Something tells my my $320 new HK isn't stuffed with top of the line quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 10, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 10, 2015 Thanks Cradeldorf. I actually started hunting a good 2 channel amp today to replace my HK 3390. Not that I can afford one but kinda wanna see what else is out there with a little more power (150 watts) and higer end internals. You'd be surprised at what you can find on your local Craigslist if you are patient and persistent in looking. The right deal will come along. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean5340 Posted April 10, 2015 Share Posted April 10, 2015 I'm very eager to hear your thoughts on this. My HK3490 used to run La Scalas and did a very impressive job. Imaging and soundstage were phenomenal. It is now in the garage running some JBL control monitors. Yeah it rocks the hell out of my garage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 tap tap tap of the finger, Youthman Well? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 12, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 12, 2015 I posted very briefly in another thread...crazy busy week...still busy all day today. More testing needed 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RT FAN Posted April 13, 2015 Share Posted April 13, 2015 I have been using a Rotel RA-12 Int amp as my Pre, paired with a McIntosh MC-2105 amp. I have found it to be very neutral sounding and think Rotel offers some of the best bang for the buck in entry level audiophile grade equipment. In this set up I also have 2 Rotel cdps, a single player & a 5 disc carousel that both got listened to yesterday. I am very happy with the Rotel equipment I have & hope you will be so as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 17, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2015 Sorry for the long delay in posting more thoughts. I have found it to be very neutral sounding After a few weeks of listening time switching back and forth between the HK and the Rotel, I think neutral is the best way to describe the Rotel. It sounds great but my ears prefer the brighter sound (not sure how best to describe it) of the HK. Interestingly.....with HT receivers, I started off with an Harman Kardon AVR55, went to Onkyo 703, then to Emotiva UMC-1, Yamaha RX-V1800 and each receiver, I always felt I lacked the sound my ears prefer that I had with the Harman Kardon AVR55 so I went back with the Harman Kardon AVR3600. Up until the AVR3600, I did not have a 2ch setup so I wanted a receiver that sounded great for both HT and for 2ch. Since I now have a 2ch setup in my living room, I moved to the Onkyo TX-NR5008 since it has more power, higher quality components and Audyssey XT32. So I guess now my focus has been trying to tweak my 2ch setup to see what more I can pull out of it but I'm thinking the Rotel doesn't have the sound I'm looking for. I hope to be able to do some more A/B this weekend and make a decision on which I want to keep. It doesn't look like HK has made many preamps but I'm wondering if the HK 2.0 Signature Preamp would be a good fit (even though it's a Pre/Pro for HT). Any thoughts? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 17, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2015 I would also think that the DeanG crossovers are contributing to me not preferring the Rotel as much. Reason being is the DeanG Crossovers did smoothe out the sound but it also reduced a tad from the top end. With the Rotel being neutral + the less bright sound from the DeanG, I think my ears actually prefer a brighter sound. Wish I had a pair of stock RF-7ii to do some direct A/B comparison with. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 17, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2015 Too funny....I was just looking at this Citation 2.0 and saw that it's local to me. Then I looked at the screenname and it's Celso Guim from the forum. Think I'll give Celso a call. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 With the Rotel being neutral + the less bright sound from the DeanG, I think my ears actually prefer a brighter sound. Wish I had a pair of stock RF-7ii to do some direct A/B comparison with. It is funny how much individual preferences differ. If you like "bright", run your HK3490 with an original, stock pair of RF-7's. EAR BLEEDING BRIGHT!!! Part of the fun of this hobby is finding that "just right" sound for our own ears. Good luck Youthman, sorry the Rotel was not to your preference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 17, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 17, 2015 I have the 7s in my son's room. . That might not be a bad idea 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdog Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 I had a Harmon Kardon Citation 21 pre amp for a while It is probably one of the best SS preamps HK ever built and worth looking into if you like HK, but it was not bright. I can't imagine wanting to pair Klipsch up with anything "bright" but to each his own and you like what you like. I would give the Rotel a chance you may find you like it once you get to know it better. I have never heard an AVR or pre/pro that sounded as good to me playing music as even lower end dedicated 2 channel preamps. They do sound different no matter what some may say, and you may just not be used to the sound the fully analog 2 channel pre puts out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyrc Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 (edited) Sorry for the long delay in posting more thoughts. I have found it to be very neutral sounding ... After a few weeks of listening time switching back and forth between the HK and the Rotel, I think neutral is the best way to describe the Rotel. It sounds great but my ears prefer the brighter sound (not sure how best to describe it) of the HK.... Does the Rotel have tone controlls? Edited April 17, 2015 by garyrc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Bingo! the RF 7 and 7 II' mod does knock a bit of the top. I find it less fatiguing in comparison. I think I have gotten use to a pretty flat frequency response with the Pioneer and like a more neutral sound. I have never tried a HK. I may be missing something, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthews Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 I ended up bi-amping my 7's. Ran a 250 wpc Yammy to the LF and a little 50 wpc Rotel to the horns. Was pure bliss till I found "Heritage". No looking back after that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 18, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 18, 2015 I can't imagine wanting to pair Klipsch up with anything "bright" but to each his own and you like what you like. Every since I was a teenager, I always found myself increasing the treble. Later in life, when I purchased my first pair of Klipsch speakers, I no longer had to increase the treble. After adding the DeanG upgraded crossover, I found myself bumping up the treble on the HK just a tad since it reduced the top end. Maybe if I went back to a stock crossover, the Rotel would sound more appealing to me. They do sound different no matter what some may say, and you may just not be used to the sound the fully analog 2 channel pre puts out. They definitely have a slightly different sound....but it's noticeable. Does the Rotel have tone controlls? Yes, the Rotel has 4 "Contour" settings. OFF: The tone contour circuits are bypassed to ensure the purest possible sound.L-1: moderate increase in bass frequencies (typically +3dB @ 100Hz).L-2: more increase in bass frequencies (typically +4dB @ 100Hz).H: moderate increase in high frequencies (+3dB @ 10kHz).LH: combination of L-2 bass and H high frequency increases Bingo! the RF 7 and 7 II' mod does knock a bit of the top. That is correct. After hearing Wakejunkie's original RF-7ii, I didn't find them too bright at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxr dad Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 Maybe try those RF 7's from your sons room. I am with Youth on the treble/brightness. I prefer mine with a little more treble as well. Its just trying to find that sweet spot that seems elusive at times. I find I like trying the different formats with a HT receiver in 2 channel mode. Even though its not "pure" or direct, some of those options add just the right sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cradeldorf Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 (edited) That's why I like my HK the infinite treble and bass controls. I would have a Marantz if it was for their detent controls. Just a ****** hair of adjustment makes or breaks the sound of my system. wow seriously the word Snatc# is not allowed.... Does the Rotel have tone controlls? Yes, the Rotel has 4 "Contour" settings. OFF: The tone contour circuits are bypassed to ensure the purest possible sound. L-1: moderate increase in bass frequencies (typically +3dB @ 100Hz). L-2: more increase in bass frequencies (typically +4dB @ 100Hz). H: moderate increase in high frequencies (+3dB @ 10kHz). LH: combination of L-2 bass and H high frequency increases Edited April 18, 2015 by cradeldorf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Youthman Posted April 18, 2015 Author Moderators Share Posted April 18, 2015 Maybe try those RF 7's from your sons room. I started to move them this morning before heading to work but realized I would have to move his entertainment center to be able to remove the right RF-7 due to the feet being tucked underneath the entertainment center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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