So, this week is the week I finally order my 950. My last decision to make is what amp to pair with it. I'm a 5 channel guy right now, and I don't see another pair of speaker showing up in my HT room any time soon. The room is small, 13 x 13 or so. My current setup is 125W/ch, so I'm a little nervous about going down to 100W/ch of the 7100 (not that it's a HUGE difference, probably more mental than anything else). The other option is the 755. The size of the room would lead me to think that 200W/channel is overkill, but would last me through probably any new HT room I may move to or build someday.

In a side by side between the two, does either sound better with the 950?

Any opinions??

Thx,

...Jim

Sometime can depend on where you got that 125w from before, receiver?

The 1050 (at 60/65w?) is know for many owners posting it ran their speakers more effortlessly than prior models owned rated at higher watts. Outlaw power seems to DO what its says.

Depends on several factors, I can pretty much guarantee either sound fine with the 950. 
But the other things can get cha! What’s your speaker sensitivity? How big a room might you upgrade to, what dB do you normally listen at?

If I was stuck (Depending on your speaker sensitivity) I’d start by answering the question, which would I likely do first? Enlarge the HT space, or add two speakers? And if I decided its just a comfort zone for me to go with the 200w will I be bothered by space considerations adding monoblocks or 2-ch amp later, if I expand to 7.1?

The 125W were coming from monoblock amps, pretty decent, but too many cords/cables to deal with. Looking to simplify the rack.

Thanks for the advice, believe it or not, I'm more likely to get a new HT room, than just add 2 more speakers to my existing room. And if I do, adding another set of amps to go with 7 really wouldn't bother me, I think.

I think I'm going to go with the 950/755, just to be safe...

I've never complained about having too much power...

...Jim

Sounds like a good choice to me, plutnicki. The 755 will give you more flexibility later (if you wind up in a larger room, or with less efficient speakers, or whatever). And if you decide to add more speakers, a pair of 200's or a single two-channel amp of some sort shouldn't take up much room.

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gonk -- Saloon Links | Pre/Pro Comparison Chart | 950 Review

I've never complained about having too much power

Ditto, I did not mention ..I have the 750 (earlier model of the 755) and the 770. Love em.

Thanks for the advice.

I ordered my 950/755 plus some cables today, they should be here tomorrow... Probably won't get to install them until the weekend, unless a freak sickness swoops in rendering me unable to work...

*cough*

Thanks!

...Jim

950 is here, 755 hopefully today. I think the 950 is a nice looking piece of gear. Seems well built and pretty solid. Can't wait to see what the 755 is like...

Maybe tomorrow is a sick day!



...Jim

plutnicki,
I'm interested in what your overall opinion is of the 950/755 combo now that you have undoubtedly listened with a critical ear for a couple of weeks.
I am more concerned about the 2-channel sound than the surround modes (from what I've read, the theater end seems like a slam dunk), and will be taking a Rotel 1065 receiver home on Friday to demo. I have the Musical Fidelity 3.2 integrated on loan for a couple of days, and definitely like what I hear out of that unit. Definitely a smoother/cleaner sound than my BK component pro-10mc pre proton d-1200 amp driving KEF 103.2 speakers. However, my goal is to build a single system for both music and theater, more musical than my current setup.
I'll keep the KEFs and M&K MX125 sub, and pick up a suitable center and surrounds.
Will someone out there please make up my mind for me

pmos (get it? ), not harm in at least *thinking* about doing the 30 day thing with the 950... Think: "extended" demo...

$92 for return shipping isn't a no-cost trial, although if I end up going with the Rotel 1065 ($1999), the cost including the $92 will still be less than if I stay with the 950/755 and cables. Hey, a *free* trial after all!
Isn't it great how we can always generate a senario in our minds that is logical (sometimes can even convince ourselves that we are *saving* money.
Listened to the 1065 for hours last night. It certainly has a beautiful sound. I really hope the 950/755 is as equally enjoyable to listen to. I need to dig a little deeper to fully understand the 1065s bass management and other features. Don't know if they are on par with the 950, or if they are like the 1066 (which I understand is not as good as the 950 in some respects). Anyone with direct experience or knowledge of the 1065 out there? Thanks.

pmos- Think "extended" demo with a small rental fee...

There are problems with the BM on the 1066, but honestly, I don't know if the receivers have the same issues or not.

patmos,

I wish I could give you an opinion on the 2 channel stuff, but honestly, I don't listen to that much music on my stereo. I only play CDs with the DVD player... The rest is just the radio.

I have been HUGELY pleased with the 950s performance tho'. My most major complaint is that I wish I could rename the inputs and I wish I could program the input buttons into my Marantz remote (i.e. the video 1, 2, DVD, etc direct buttons on the remote).

I've listened to the DD, DTS, from my DVD, the DD from my Xbox, the DPL-IIC from my Gamecube... All have been outstanding. Even the wife thinks it sounds cleaner and smoother than what I replaced...

Sorry I'm not of much help in your case.

...Jim