Rotel RCD-1072

[Lowell_M]

My 2-channel rig

Rotel RCD-1072
Signal Cable IC's
Nakamichi Ca-5 Pre
Signal Cable IC's
Adcom GFA-555
Canare Star Quad's terminated 2 into 1
Polk LSi15's

I've got my floor installed and finally got some good listening in on the new Rotel RCD-1072. I'm going to need some more time with this setup but thought I would post a little anyway. I need more time because I'm not sure what I think yet of my new listening area since we went from all carpet to a large open area that is hard wood. It seems like I'm getting some reflections that are screwing with my midrange.

Anyway, the Rotel... So, um... this thing rocks. It is every bit as good as everyone else has said. I've already heard dkg999's in my system so mostly new what to expect, but this evening have gotten through a cross section of Dire Straights, Nora Jones, Sarah M., James Taylor and a little Jazz at the Pawnshop.

I'm moving up from a JVC DVD player used as a transport and an entech Numbercruncher DAC. The Rotel solidifies the left and right into a fluid, smooth sound that recreates natural vocals and great imaging. I'm listening to JT's Fire and Rain right now and the 3 dimensional nature of the image is addictive. I'm not sure how to describe the sound. This separation makes the presentation so much more natural and "live" feeling.

I've noticed fantastic detail, expecially in the Dire Straights and James Taylor. It's not an analytical detail like I've heard from Cambridge Soundworks players, but a nice, smooth detail that adds to the realism.

alright... I'm really starting to feel like I'm full of crap... just not sure how to convey how fantasic my 2-channel sounds now. This is the first time that every part of the chain in my system is mid-fi quality and I don't feel like I'm sacrificing anywhere. The only way this rig could be better IMHO (within my price range) would be if Daboyz wouldn't have snagged Ricardos Marsh A200s and I got it!!!!

....damn... I'm sitting a little outside of my 'old' sweetspot and the soundstage is still wider than my speakers and seamless. Freaking great!!:D:D

[daboyz]

Wooohooooo.Enjoy it dude!!!!! You knew that Rotel would pay some dividends and I bet it sounds great with those LSi's. We're just taking different ways to our Nirvana.

[Lowell_M]

Wooohooooo.Enjoy it dude!!!!! You knew that Rotel would pay some dividends and I bet it sounds great with those LSi's. We're just taking different ways to our Nirvana.

Yea.. I'm pretty pleased where I'm at in audioland. I really can't believe how far my system('s) have come in the last 2 years. Our Rockford get togethers as well as the Chicagoland Polkfest that we had have been very important to me finding the synergies and my likes and dislikes of all of the gear we have demo'd. You will never hear my say that I've found the perfect system...there will always be some tweak, but for now I think I'd be hard pressed to find an improvement inside any reasonable upgrade cost for me. (well....other than finding a minty Marsh)

[daboyz]

You're about right. As far as our experiences have taken us the Marsh is about all that you'll need(yeah right) to get you there. I'm in SACD heaven right now, I've gotta go to the basement for the SDA's which will probably happen soon.

[Ern Dog]

Thanks for the mini-review of the 1072. I've wondered how it performs and considered buying one at one point.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Glad you like it, never had any Rotel through these doors yet.

[Norm Apter]

Could you let us (me) know which Cambridge Soundworks model you had previously and a bit more on how it compares with this Rotel-1072? Do you prefer one over the other?

Also, I don't know anything about Rotel CD players. Where does this sit on the pecking order of what they sell? (I just went to Agon for fun and found that there are several models especially in teh 900 series).


I keep seeing Rotel, Cambridge and Rega Planet mentioned and I'd like to know how they compare.

Thanks.

[cfrizz]

The RCD 1072 is their top of the line single player and the only one out of their line that garnered the same praise that their RCD 855 got when it was released in 1990.

I had the 855 & now I have the 1072. I will most likely always have a Rotel player in my setup.

[Lowell_M]

Could you let us (me) know which Cambridge Soundworks model you had previously and a bit more on how it compares with this Rotel-1072? Do you prefer one over the other?

Also, I don't know anything about Rotel CD players. Where does this sit on the pecking order of what they sell? (I just went to Agon for fun and found that there are several models especially in teh 900 series).


I keep seeing Rotel, Cambridge and Rega Planet mentioned and I'd like to know how they compare.

Thanks.


DKG999, You out there? What was that Cambridge CDP of your that we demoed?

[Lowell_M]

I'm listening to Larry Carlton - Saphire Blue today. (supposed to be a track day, but too much rain for me to race in...so got some more time to play with tunes!)

I'm noticing an increased dynamic range as well as the other improvements I've mentioned.

My biggest problem of the day so far is this.. I apparently left the remote in the box when I put the box in the attic. So, of course, I have to listen to every song even if I don't like it because... how else am I supposed to switch to the next song?

...I should probably get to putting the molding back up, but can't get myself out of the sweet spot...

[Lowell_M]

Ok...I'll stop posting about the new CDP soon, but holy sh$t! The sense of dimension that this Rotel added to my sound is amazing! I'm feeling like I get a sense of the bands location on the stage in 3 dimensions. Very cool

.. I want to skip ahead to "Take Me Down", but of course... no remote.

[Lowell_M]

Ok...I'll stop posting about the new CDP soon, but holy sh$t! The sense of dimension that this Rotel added to my sound is amazing! I'm feeling like I get a sense of the bands location on the stage in 3 dimensions. Very cool

.. I want to skip ahead to "Take Me Down", but of course... no remote.

Finally got to "Take Me Down" (Saphire Blue CD).... I don't need no stinking SDA's!

I'm hearing stuff I didn't even know what in the music.

alright, enough from me. I'm pretty psyched about this upgrade though. The Entech DAC was sweet, but this is unbelievable. Anybody have any questions, let me know.

[Lowell_M]

Can't you edit posts anymore? I was going to add this to my last one... I promise I'm done now...
I normally listen kinda loud anyway (95db'ish), but thought I'd make sure the neighbors are awake and try DS "Money For Nothin" at rediculous volume levels. So, I turned my amp up to 11, braced myself, and man does it sound good. The bass along with Knopfler's guitar in this song are a ton of fun. That ADCOM hits HARD! ...gonna turn it down now.

[steveinaz]

The 1072 is one of those giant-killer products.

[Lowell_M]

Could you let us (me) know which Cambridge Soundworks model you had previously and a bit more on how it compares with this Rotel-1072? Do you prefer one over the other?

Also, I don't know anything about Rotel CD players. Where does this sit on the pecking order of what they sell? (I just went to Agon for fun and found that there are several models especially in teh 900 series).


I keep seeing Rotel, Cambridge and Rega Planet mentioned and I'd like to know how they compare.

Thanks.

Norm, I looked back through some old posts and the Cambridge player we did a comparison with was the 640(??). I remember is being very grainy and analytical sounding. Didn't care for it at all. I preferred the DAC's in my H/K AVR over the Cambridge player. In fact.. I disliked it so much I'll probably stay away from Cambridge equipment, period, unless somebody convinces me otherwise.

[SKsolutions]

Congrats on the Rotel. Grab a small carpet 5x7' or so. If you put it down between the speakers and the listening area, it will eat up most of the first reflection from the floor. That should clean up your mids, and sound -as a whole- much better than carpet all over.

[Norm Apter]

Wow! Thats interesting to know. Some other folks on this forum have sung the praises of the Cambridge Audio 640C, though they acknowledge that it is very demanding -- to get it to do its thing properly you need top-notch recordings.

Well, I'm just wondering from you (or any others) when the term "analytical" is used to describe sound, is that always (or even usually) a negative attribute? I've seen it used a lot but I'm still not quite sure what exactly constitutes an "analytical" sound.

It sounds like (from you and others) that the Rotel is, no doubt, an excellent player; I just want to be sure I understand what these terms mean or at least how they are being used.

[Norm Apter]

The 1072 is one of those giant-killer products.

Sorry for my ignorance, once again. I've seen this term "giant-killer" before as well but again I'm not quite sure what it means. Could you briefly describe? Does it just mean top-of-the-line for its class/ reference????

[Lowell_M]

Wow! Thats interesting to know. Some other folks on this forum have sung the praises of the Cambridge Audio 640C, though they acknowledge that it is very demanding -- to get it to do its thing properly you need top-notch recordings.

Well, I'm just wondering from you (or any others) when the term "analytical" is used to describe sound, is that always (or even usually) a negative attribute? I've seen it used a lot but I'm still not quite sure what exactly constitutes an "analytical" sound.

It sounds like (from you and others) that the Rotel is, no doubt, an excellent player; I just want to be sure I understand what these terms mean or at least how they are being used.

The thing about this hobby is that there is no single correct answer. People preferr different sounds and not all components sound the same when mated with others.

It is hard for me, as well, to describe what I mean about a sound. Analytical wraps up the following description for me... The player sounded like it was trying to create music from a digital signal and managed a very technical reproduction. Nothing to me sounded natural. The sound was very harsh and thin as well. There just wasn't any depth to the music.

Hope that helps. I'm not too articulate when it comes to describing these things. Maybe someone else will chime in.

The best way to discover these things is to try to get together with a fellow polkie and swap some gear around.

[Norm Apter]

Analytical wraps up the following description for me... The player sounded like it was trying to create music from a digital signal and managed a very technical reproduction. Nothing to me sounded natural. The sound was very harsh and thin as well. There just wasn't any depth to the music.

Yeah, that definately helps. Thanks.

[miner]

I have one (RCD-1072) in a box waiting to be inserted into my secondary system. Patience, I guess is the keyword of the day.

[MikeC78]

I'm happy for you Aaron(sp), congrats!

Now, I just need to make a trip up when you guys have another get together.

Mike

[Lowell_M]

I'm happy for you Aaron(sp), congrats!

Now, I just need to make a trip up when you guys have another get together.

Mike

Definately. You're welcome anytime.

[Lowell_M]

Congrats on the Rotel. Grab a small carpet 5x7' or so. If you put it down between the speakers and the listening area, it will eat up most of the first reflection from the floor. That should clean up your mids, and sound -as a whole- much better than carpet all over.

That is good news! We are planning on putting an area rug that is slightly larger that 5x7 in the middle of the floor. Thanks!

[cfrizz]

Basically it means that the Rotel can hold it's own against many of the big bucks "name" cd players & sound just as good if not better. Or in other words the 1072 will get you 95% of what the others get. Paying through the nose to get that remaining 5%, whether or not it's worth it to you to do so only you can answer.



Sorry for my ignorance, once again. I've seen this term "giant-killer" before as well but again I'm not quite sure what it means. Could you briefly describe? Does it just mean top-of-the-line for its class/ reference????

[MikeC78]

Just curious...

Have you tried using the HD-A1 as a CD player yet, and how did it sound? Just wondering, I'm sure it's nothing compared to the Rotel.

Mike

[Lowell_M]

Just curious...

Have you tried using the HD-A1 as a CD player yet, and how did it sound? Just wondering, I'm sure it's nothing compared to the Rotel.

Mike

I did some comparison with and without the Entech before the Rotel arrived and it was pretty comparable with the Entech. The Entech pulled the image together just a bit better, but otherwise it was similar.

[dkg999]

Aaron - glad you like the 1072! It's always gotten rave reviews, and I love mine. It was the Cambridge Audio 640v1 CDP that we listened to. It uses the Wolfson DAC's which are very detailed and analytical, and just didn't work when I switched from my SDA's to the Magnepan's. The day we had the get together at your house, the Rotel 1072 did really open up your system. That was a very enjoyable listening day! I did buy a new audio toy this weekend, but that's for a separate post!

[schwarcw]

Russman did a review and write up a couple of years ago with very good results. Look Here (http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36450&highlight=Rotel+1072)

[schwarcw]

I'll bet that if you coupled this baby with the MF x10V3 tube buffer, it would be a wonderful combination of depth, detail and smooth mids and highs.

Carl

[dkg999]

I'll bet that if you coupled this baby with the MF x10V3 tube buffer, it would be a wonderful combination of depth, detail and smooth mids and highs.

Carl

Carl - be verwwy quiet. He doesn't know that he needs tubes in his system yet. Let's keep that on the down low until I can lead him down the path of tube redemption :)