950 vs. Rotel 1066

These are the two processors that I'm seriously looking at. Is there any reason I'd get the Rotel over the 950? (Other than cosmetics? Damn the Outlaw is ugly!)

And what would your suggestions be for amping? I've got my eye on the Outlaw 7 channels and the Anthem PVA 7. What makes one amp better than another? (sorry...newbie to separates here)

Thanks!

The Outlaw 950 has more flexible bass management options, which is why I purchased it.

I would go for the Outlaw amps - they are at least as good as the Anthem, and with the 950 as a package deal, a whole lot less money.

With the money you save, you can buy a bunch of brown paper bags to put over the "ugly" 950


[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited April 04, 2003).]

OK...next question.

7100 or 770?

From what I've heard, 100x7 will easily drive just about any possible speaker. Why would someone need 200x7?

I'm seriously asking...I have no idea!

The difference between 100 and 200 watts is only 3db, or a just noticable difference in loudness capability. The need for the higher power is if you have inefficient speakers (85db/watt or so), speakers that are particularly hard to drive (they may have impedance that dips down under 4 ohms) or just like to listen at really loud levels. If your speakers are what would be considered "small", 100 watts is probably enough since they would not normally receive low frequencies below about 80Hz, and this is where the high power demands are. You subwoofer's amplifier would handle the band below 80Hz.

VERY cool...thank you. That's the best, most straight forward answer I've gotten yet to that question. Which means, that I do in fact NOT need 200x7.

Amp power *also* depends on your room size (bigger needs more power), *and* the volume at which you typically listen to music/movies. Some of us believe that you can *never* have too much power. If you do get the 7100: use the 30 day warranty. That way, if you find it isn't enough, you could always send it back and get the 770. And another option that you might want to think about if you listen to a lot of 2 channel music: 2 200 M-blocks, and the 755. Or even 2 200's and the 7100. The 100W/channel for 7 channels would be roughly equivalent to 140W/ch if you only used 5 channels, because of the single transformer feeding all the channels. Not to make things more complicated than they have to be or anything...

I agree with SH, the largest differentiator between the 950 and the 1066, is the more flexible BM with the 950.


[This message has been edited by Kevin C Brown (edited April 05, 2003).]

I asked Outlaw the same question, and here is the reply that I received:

"When comparing the Model 770 and the Model 7100 at modest listening levels with moderate source material the units would sound almost identical, sonically. However, if you were to move to a scenario where you were listening at higher volume levels or listening to material that includes more dynamic passages the difference between the two units would stand out more profoundly. The increased power when moving from 100/165 (4 or 8ohms) watts per channel to 200/300 (4 or 8ohms) watts per channel is much
more evident when you're forced to draw on the amplifier's storage or simply require more power. The increased power will provide a great deal more accuracy and detail in dynamic passages and louder listening levels."

The main speakers that I own and plan to use with the outlaw 950/amp combo are somewhat large and only moderately efficient (Mirage M3si, 86db), so I'm choosing the 755 over the 7100 just to be safe.