Upgrading Rotel RC971 pre amp

[gwynne61]

I've recently upgraded my cd player from arcam alpha 7se to cd192 and was considering a pre amp upgrade from rotel's rc971 to the rotel rc06. The system is run with rb971 power amps biamped and proac tablette 2000 speakers. The system sounds good but I feel there could be more detail and that the pre amp is the limiting factor.

Has anyone any experience with the rc06 or suggest possible alternatives, the power amps are fine, but I remember an old whf review stating the pre amp (971) was the limiting factor.

thanks

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="gwynne61"]
I've recently upgraded my cd player from arcam alpha 7se to cd192 and was considering a pre amp upgrade from rotel's rc971 to the rotel rc06. The system is run with rb971 power amps biamped and proac tablette 2000 speakers. The system sounds good but I feel there could be more detail and that the pre amp is the limiting factor.

Has anyone any experience with the rc06 or suggest possible alternatives, the power amps are fine, but I remember an old whf review stating the pre amp (971) was the limiting factor.

thanks

[/quote]
IMO you should be looking to higher quality preamps than the RC06 or 03. By doing this you will have an upgrade path for power amp(s) and will also retrieve more detail. As to which preamp, no idea. I guess I'd be considering Cyrus, perhaps the now-being-phased-out Arcam range where deals are to be had, Quad, the list goes on...

 

[gwynne61]

Thanks, good to have a 2nd opinion. Budget, could be a problem as maxing out around £400. Can't see any arcam pre amps, quad a little out of my price band. Any other suggestions welcom have also looked at Rotel1070 and audiolab 8000q at a push. any new views welcome

Thanks

 

[gwynne61]

Any thoughts on the above Audiolab or Rotel?

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

I'd go for the RC-1070 and bridge your power amps, surely you haven't tried this yet because the benefits it brought to my old system (same power amps) were amazing. You have to take of the case, then use long nose pliers to move three connectors. Download the owners manual at rotel.com if you don't have these. It's far better than biamping

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="The specialist"]I'd go for the RC-1070 and bridge your power amps, surely you haven't tried this yet because the benefits it brought to my old system (same power amps) were amazing. You have to take of the case, then use long nose pliers to move three connectors. Download the owners manual at rotel.com if you don't have these. It's far better than biamping[/quote]

I'd get a hifi shop to do it for you if at all possible. Aside from warranty issues there's the danger of electrocution.

 

[gwynne61]

Thanks for the help. Finally went with the Audiolab 8000q which I was lucky to get in pristine condition off ebay for only £155, the increase in detail is staggering. What benefits are there in bridging the power amps as opposed to running as at present biamping as stereo pairs? I was advised by my local dealer that it was detrimental to sound quality to bridge, so I'm a

bit confused.

Also is it possible to biwire dual mono amps? I prefer to biwire, but that's not up for debate as life is too short!