2. amps-preamps
  3. 1052134505

Options for Integrated amp?

I have heard that I should be able to use my integrated Rotel RA 972 as a preamp and maybe as a power amp. Now my question is if I would gain anything in sound quality by hooking up a power/pre amp to it and in that case what would I gain?

The following is what it says in the instructions:
"The RA-972 has a set of preamp outputs. The signal from the source selected with the Listening Selector is always available from these outputs. Typically these outputs are used to provide a signal to another integrated amplifier or a power amplifier, which is used to drive remote speakers."

As explained before I have B&W 601 S3, Arcam CD72.
cfmartind362
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,578 posts
 
Is the Rotel lacking in some area that you are looking to improve? The Rotel is actually a good choice with B&W speakers, in general (check out the Rotel reviews in any of the British Magazines, like What Hi-Fi) and the Arcam CD72 is a nice unit as well. Your equipment is well matched for its price/performance ratio level. My guess is that if you look to seriously upgrade your amplifier, you will wind up having to upgrade your speakers, as well.

Regards, Rich
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I agree with Rar1, including that Rotel and the B&W 600 series are a good match. The preout on the Rotel could also be used in a bi-amp configuration with the separate RB971 power amp. This is probably a more likely scenario than just using the RA972 as a preamp.

If you are still using cheap cables, then I would start there before thinking of new gear.
foreverhifi
229 posts
 
I have sold Rotel for years. You would gain TREMENDOUSLY in sound quality by upgrading the Rotel to say one of the affordable, yet sonically supperior Jolida Integrated tube amps! And the sound is at least 100% better(if not more) than the sonics you are getting from the otherwise adequate sounding Rotel piece you're currently using! For $375-700(USD)used, you could have more audiophile refined sound with either the 202, 302, 502 Jolida's. My fav with your B&W's is the SJ502 with your speakers, as it has more bass pop and snap! If you are interested in dealing with tubes, it's WAAYYYYY WORTH IT! If it were my gear, and my money, I'd do the switch in a heart beat, and the Rotel would be HIIIISTTTTTTTORY! Sonical, the Rotel is similar to a lot of other solid state integrateds for the money...nothing special really
cfmartind362 OP
4 posts
 
Rar1,

What I feel I lack is a little bass. It's a very bright system I have (the Arcam CD72 is not that bright though) and I lack a tight bass. But I guess that has more to do with the speakers than anything else.

Thank a lot everyone for your answers although I still don't know if I would gain in anything by buying a power amp... And that's what I'm interested in knowing!
cfmartind362 OP
4 posts
 
foreverhifi2000@yahoo.com,

Are Rotel happy with you as a reseller?
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