Rotel RA-1520 amp / EB Acoustics EB1 speakers - advice please.

[admin_exported]

Hi,

I am about to purchase a new hi fi amp and speakers. I have been reading reviews on various components and have virtually settled on buying the Rotel RA-1520 amp, which received a great review. It has all of the features I require - seems perfect.

My query is with regards to speakers that will match well with this amp.

I really like the things I read in the review about the EB Acoustics EB1 speakers. You give them a great writeup. Would these speakers be a good match with the Rotel RA-1520 amp? If I am to spend £700 on an amp, should I be thinking about spending more than £470 on a pair of speakers and looking at something else maybe? I'm a bit new to all of this and having waited many years for a decent setup am keen not to make a mistake...if possible!

Incidentally, the room I will be placing them in, is about 12' by 20', if that helps.

Any help and advice from the experts would be very grateful.

Many thanks,

Henry Tee

 

[d_a_n1979]

Hello and welcome to the forums

It would be handy to know what music you generally listen to and also what your source will be (i.e. CD Player, iPod via a DAC etc...)?

IMO it appears to be a very good amp but my suggestion is always to demon before you buy; more so at that price as you may find that when you get the items; the sound and synergy may not be right for you.

The Rotel would gel very well with similar speakers such as the B&W 685's, Monitor Audio RX2's and also a few floorstanders as well such as the Monitor Audio RX6's, B&W 684's etc...

Have you also budgeted for speaker stands and cables?

If it's possible I'd get yourself to a demo as soon as you can and listen to other amps with various speakers. Amps like the NAD C326BEE, C355BEE integrated; the Arcam FMJ A18 integrated, Naim Nait 5i integrated and the Roksan Kandy K2 should also be considered.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Many thanks for your reply.

I listen to a wide range of music: pop, rock, jazz, blues, classical, etc.

My source of music is at the moment mainly from cd player (a Rotel RCD 950) but I sometimes plug my iPod in too. I also play vinyl occasionally.

Thank you for the advice to go and have a demo before I buy. Of course with the speakers I mentioned, (EB 1), this isn't possible as they can, I believe, only be purchased directly from the supplier. So therefore no chance to listen to them prior to purchase.

Other speakers I had considered were B&W 685, (which you mentioned), Epos M12i and Dynaudio DM2/6. However, of these I have only listened to the Epos M12i speakers and that was with a Naim Nait 5 and a Naim Nait XS. Both setups sounded great to me, but to be honest the Naim Nait XS is out of my price range and I am also aware that neither amps have tone controls. I do sometimes feel it necessary to introduce bass and/or treble to music, depending on the quality of the recordings being played.

And yes, I have budgeted for speaker stands and cables.

I shall try and check out all of your suggestions. Many thanks for your help - much appreciated.

Henry Tee