Hi-End HiFi in Ireland
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Thanks HiFiFan, I was curious to see what someone thought of the AV8. I believe it is up-gradable to AV9 software. Do you know what changes the up-grade makes? I am going to handle all my video switching through a HDMI matrix, so I don't need any HDMI sockets on the processor at all anyway. I would like to get another RMB1095, but they're like hens teeth, any idea how an Arcam P1000 would compare to the Rotel? The only advantage of the P1000 is having an extra 2 channels, meaning I could bi-amp the fronts in a 5.1 system. Hmm, definitely food for thought!HiFiFan wrote:Hi, You can often pick up used AV8s (I am not sure about the P7) for as little as $1000 on Audiogon. I used to use an Arcam AV8 and Rotel RMB combo because while I thought the AV8 was worth the money at the time, I didn't think the P7 was and the Rotel was a better bang for the buck.
As for the AV9 as far as I know the AV9 becomes only a switching device for HDMI, and does not do any processing of either audio or video… it will only pass it through to your TV. Meaning that the new audio formats (True HD, Dolby-whoozie-whatsits, DTS HD…) will not be available via HDMI.
Thanks for that, have spoken to Alan in Cloneys now about the AV8, no response from the seller of the P1000 on Adverts. Pity they're not the same colour! I think they would make a good pairing & there may be someone else out there with the opposite black/silver pair that would do a swap sometime, should I be lucky enough to get this pair!F.galway wrote:Cloney have a AV8 for sale in there ex demo section for 499,http://www.cloneyaudio.com/pre-owned.shtml
and there is a P1000 on adverts for 700,http://www.adverts.ie/home-audio/arcam- ... mp/1529291
I would preferably like a 1095 but I'd definitely consider a 1075. Have you got one? All black or silver centre?mossym wrote:are you focused on a rotel 1095, or would you consider a 1075?
HiFiFan wrote:That is a good question on the 1075 vs. 1095. I think the two are very similar, if you don't need the extra power of the 1095 you'd probably be very happy with the RMB 1075. You might also want to consider a newer Rotel (or similar) Class D multi channel amp, not too expensive and would be very light on your electricy bill unlike the RMB 1095.
I'm afraid I don't know the main differences between the AV9 and AV8 apart from the addition of HDMI but if you are doing the hdmi switching outside of the AV unit (which you are) then the difference is probably very small. I don't think you could go wrong with the AV8 at the price quoted. I think I spent 10 times that when I bought it years ago and it compared as good or better than the FMJ 2 channel stuff.
Regarding the P1000, I don't know the unit. As I mentioned I auditioned the P7 but bought a Rotel instead, this was so long ago thought I don't remember the differences but I was not blown away by the P7.
Thanks for your insight into the P7 vs the RMB1095, they would be my top two choices for multi channel power amps at the minute (well I would love a Theta but they're pretty rare on the affordable s/h market).
I was more than happy with my RMB1095, would have been more than surprised if the p7 was better. I actually had got my fronts bi-amped from the 1095 and there was a difference, but that was to power hungry speakers ( Polk 1.2TL, ridiculous but good fun!). As a matter of interest, what speaker system are you using?
You mention bi-amping in your post. I don't know if you have done this before or not but I personally am not a believer in it. I experimented in the early days with bi-wiring and bi-amping and saw no significant improvements. Most of my speakers over the years don't even allow the option.
Wilson Sophias, not jealous much! ha. Nice, what have you got powering those? How did you rate the GR60's? A friend of mine has a pair of Studio 50'5, did you ever have the opportunity to listen to a pair?HiFiFan wrote:Hi - Just noticed your speaker question buried in the thread. My main speakers are Wilson Audio Sophia IIIs. I believe the ones I tried bi-wiring and bi-amping on (porbably about 10 years or more ago ) were Monitor Audio GR 60s.
Vorious wrote:
I would preferably like a 1095 but I'd definitely consider a 1075. Have you got one? All black or silver centre?