Rotel vs Outlaw VS B and K

[Home Theatre]

Sound quality
Price


Who do you think is better in your experience? I have heard really good things about Rotel.

[MikeC78]

Your ears.

[a_mattison]

I can only compare Outlaw to ADCOM and Parasound, but the Outlaw from a musical standpoint, doesn't bring the music alive any more than my H/K 635, which is a receiver with less than half of the rated power. There was a big difference in sound stage depth and clarity between the Outlaw and the ADCOM/Parasound amps. I was dissappointed in the Outlaws, although they are very popular here.

The outlaws seem pretty good for HT though. Lots of reserve.

Try to find a Polkie nearby that will let you do some side by side comparison. That is how I ended up jumping into external amplification.

[read-alot]

They are all good companies. I went with B&K and never looked back.

[janmike]

I think it depends on what other components are in the equation. If you can, listen for yourself as it will make the final selection one that you will be totally happy with. They are all good, but you are the one spending the $$$.

[Home Theatre]

So here is what I am thinking Rotel makes a 200X5 amp. I really have no interest in 7.1 for a while. Although I do plan on buying a 7.1 Pioneer Elite.
When 7.1 is more common, can I run all five speakers off the amp and
the extra two for 7.1 off the receiver. Would you recommand this or just buy a 7.1 amp? Would there be a big difference in sound? I have also thought of just getting a 500X2 Rotel amp to give enough power to the RTi 10's or 12's and running everything else off the receiver.

[ohskigod]

So here is what I am thinking Rotel makes a 200X5 amp. I really have no interest in 7.1 for a while. Although I do plan on buying a 7.1 Pioneer Elite.
When 7.1 is more common, can I run all five speakers off the amp and
the extra two for 7.1 off the receiver. Would you recommand this or just buy a 7.1 amp? Would there be a big difference in sound? I have also thought of just getting a 500X2 Rotel amp to give enough power to the RTi 10's or 12's and running everything else off the receiver.

really depends on your budget, and then getting the most out of it. with the RTi series, both your 5 channel amp with surrounds powerred by reciever and beefy 2 channel am with reciever powering surrounds are very plausible and doable. I would factor getting some seperate amplification for the center, its a very important component of home theater

[AndyGwis]

I like my B&K ST-202 very much, although I really can't give good comparisons to Adcom and Parasound. . . it bests my lil carver amps and HK 635, for whatever that's worth. . .

[reeltrouble1]

In general terms B&K gear is above the other two although each if them is a good choice. B&K, their HT receivers are outstanding.

RT1

[cfrizz]

Buy the 5 channel amp & be done with it! Quite a few people have gone up to 7 channels & then gone right back to having 5.

[McLoki]

sorry, are you comparing amps or pre/pro's?

michael

[Home Theatre]

sorry, are you comparing amps or pre/pro's?

michael


Amps

Do they make a pre-amp with DTS, Dolby digital, THX and hdmi?

[McLoki]

Sure but not in the brands you listed.

Outlaw - no THX
Rotel - No HDMI (nor thx I think)
B&K - no HDMI

To get both THX and hdmi you are looking in the $3,000 range and up. (retail price)

[Home Theatre]

Sure but not in the brands you listed.

Outlaw - no THX
Rotel - No HDMI (nor thx I think)
B&K - no HDMI

To get both THX and hdmi you are looking in the $3,000 range and up. (retail price)

I will just buy a receiver with HMDI,DTS, DD, and THX with pre-outs and connect to an amp(5-channel). Is THX even worth it? I know THX is on Pixar and Star Wars.

[MikeC78]

He could always use a newer model Pioneer Elite AVR as a pre-amp like I think he is talking about? They have all those features.

[Home Theatre]

He could always use a newer model Pioneer Elite AVR as a pre-amp like I think he is talking about? They have all those features.


That is exactly what I am going to do. Probably hook it up to a Rotel 500X2 or 200X5 amp.

[Home Theatre]

Is Thx worth it?

[Sami]

Is Thx worth it?
THX is a quality assurance (QA) system, not a format. I would say it's not worth the (possible) extra money, something without THX can be just as good or better. It doesn't hurt but all it means that THX Ltd. has certified it.

[okiepolkie]

Rotel will have HDMI shortly, or at least they are supposed to, as announced at CEDIA. B&K doesn't have any HDMI yet, although I do enjoy the AVR507 very much.

With the finalization of HDMI 1.3, companies like B&K might get in the game.

As far as comparisons go, I've listened to the Rotel and B&K amps, and like both of them.

[Home Theatre]

Rotel has Hdmi on their receivers.

[mantis]

Rotel has Hdmi on their receivers.

Only on one of them.

I like all the companies listed above. I think it's a matter of which one sound better with your speakers. I think B&K does things better then Rotel and Visa Versa.

Generally B&K is a bit better then Rotel and Outlaw. I have heard a few Outlaw amps go on a few different speakers and I have mixed feelings. Rotel does fairly well with everything I have heard on them as well as B&K. I have owned both B&K and Rotel.

Dan

[Refefer]

Every time I see a thread titled like this, the only thing I can think of is the beginning of a Mortal Combat match.

Rotel vs Outlaw vs B&K

...

FIGHT!

Guess I wasn't of the understanding that Amp purchasing is a competitive sport.

[reeltrouble1]

I would definetely get a 7 channel amp, way better than a 5 channel, very easy to biamp your fronts.

RT1

[cfrizz]

Hey Ted, I thought there wasn't much material to really utilize all seven channels.

So are you suggesting just getting a 7 channel just so that you can biamp? If not, how is it so much better?

[dmamsa]

I would recommend a 7 channel amp also. The price differential is minimal. Buy a GOOD amp and you are done for a while...upgrade the receivers/pre-pro as tech changes.