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Caratteristiche pre:
Descrizione:
Si tratta di un
prodotto molto interessante , infatti abbiamo un preamplificatore di
buona qualità audio , con telecomando e un processore dedicato per il
Dolby Digital
Dal Web:
Up for auction are two
awesome ROTEL home theater surround sound audio components. The ROTEL
RSP-980 SURROUND SOUND PROCESSOR along with the ROTEL RDA-980 ac3
DIGITAL SURROUND ADAPTER (outboard processor). True to Rotel's
reputation is the full, rich dynamic QUALITY sound this processor and
adapter produces. Approx. a year ago I upgraded my system and this unit
has been stored in a smoke-free, pet-free home since that time. This
unit performed flawlessly as the central processor for my 5.1 home
theater system. Also in great cosmetic condition. There are a few
minor superficial scratches on the top of the units, otherwise no
obvious scratches, scuffs or blemishes. The faces of the units look
brand new.
These two components
together retailed for $2300 when new!
One of the best things
about these units is the use of the DB-25 cable (included). This cable
eliminates having to use 5 coax cables, which makes a HUGE difference in
the ease of connecting everything together. Not-to-mention the lack of
that tangled wire mess!
This processor is packed
full of features some of which include:
-
Rotel’s
Balanced Design Concept which combined advanced circuit board layout,
comprehensive parts evaluation, and extensive listening tests for
superior sound and long term reliability
-
THX certification for
excellent performance and sound quality with a wide variety of
audio/video sources
-
5.1 channel input for
Dolby Digital (AC-3) surround processing
-
User-friendly
On-Screen Display
-
DSP music modes for
enhanced surround sound music listening.
-
Comprehensive input
switching with separate recording and listening controls
-
“Zone 2” output with
independent input selection and level adjustments for multi-zone
custom installations
-
Highly regulated power
supply
-
Comprehensive rear
panel input and output connection
Scheda fotografica:
Dal Web:
Rotel RSP-980 Surround Sound Processor;
Dolby Pro Logic; THX; Frequency response 5 Hz - 20 kHz ± 0.5 dB; S/N
Front/Surround 100 dB; Input impedance 47 kOhms; Output impedance 500
Ohms; THD 0.03% @ 1 kHz; Maximum output 6 V; Video input impedance 75
Ohms; Controls: Power on/off, Master volume (motorized), Listening (six
inputs), Recording (six), Surround mode - 2 ch, mono, Music 1,2,3 and 4,
Dolby Pro Logic, THX, Bass, Treble, Movie Filter, Tape Monitor, 5.1
Channel (for selecting the RDA-980 or other outboard processor);
On-screen display; Remote control; Inputs: Six sets of audio (RCA), Five
video (RCA), Five video (S-Video), one DB-25 female; Outputs: Three sets
of audio (RCA), one set 5.1 (RCA), one DB-25 male, one tape loop, one
pair in/out remote jacks, one zone 2 pair of audio; Size 5"H x 17 1/2"W
x 13"D; Weight 16.5 pounds; Black metal chassis; $1,300.
Rotel RDA-980 Digital (AC-3) Surround Sound Adapter (outboard
processor); Frequency response 5 Hz - 20 kHz ± 1.0 dB; S/N 90 dB @ 1
kHz; Input impedance 75 Ohms; THD 0.008% at 1 kHz; Output impedance 1
kOhm; Output 1.4 V; Inputs: one coax AC-3 RF, two digital coax; Outputs:
5.1 analog line level coax (RCA), one DB-25 male; Controls: Power
on/off, Center time alignment (delay) - Center - Rear, Test (volume in
each channel), Dynamic range, Input selector (3), Speaker configuration
- Front/Center/Surround - Large, Small, None (Center), Subwoofer - yes/no;
Size 3"H x 17 1/2"W x 10 1/2"D; Weight 10 pounds; Black metal chassis;
$1,000; Rotel of America, 54 Concord Street, North Reading,
Massachusetts 01864, Phone (508) 664-3820.
Home theater is just getting better and better. AC-3 (Dolby Digital, DD)
has been out for a year or so, DTS is here now, and DVD in April. I can't
wait to have it all. The problem is, so many cool new audio/video
sources are hitting us . . . boom, boom, boom, . . . it is difficult to
buy components that won't be obsolete before the VISA card is paid off.
That REALLY scares me, because I don't have the buckaroonies to keep
replacing things with the next technology.
The answer to this dilemma is to (1) buy separates (main processor,
outboard processor, amps), and (2) make sure that whatever you buy (all-in-one
receiver or separates) is forward compatible, namely, extra inputs for
future signal sources. There are some receivers out there that have AC-3
built-in, but no provision for DTS, and there are some separates that
don't have inputs for 5.1 (AC-3, DTS), so you have to be careful.
The Rotel package we reviewed here consists of a Rotel RSP-980
Preamplifier with Dolby Pro Logic built-in, and a set of 5.1 inputs (RCA
and DB-25) for outboard digital surround processors. The Rotel RDA-980
is the AC-3 processor designed to work with the RSP-980, but any 5.1
processor will work with it. One of the things I love about this pair of
components is the use of the DB-25 connector. It is a connector commonly
found on the back of computers, so cables are available at any computer
supply store (one cable comes with the RDA and we bought another one to
connect to the amplifier). The DB-25 eliminates having to use 5 coax
cables. This makes a huge difference in the ease of connecting the whole
thing together. Take a look at this photo of the back of the Rotel
package, showing the DB-25 cables plugged in [click
here]. Now compare that to a picture I
took over the top and looking down at the back of one of our receivers
that was being used for another 5.1 setup [click
here]. And that receiver
photo doesn't even show the mess of wires connected to the AC-3
processor. Look familiar? A double blind test would fail to show any
difference between that photo (the mess) and my system at home. Wow!
Gimme more DB-25 stuff. You know, I just thought of something. There are
a lot more conductors in the DB-25 cable than are necessary for 5.1.
Suppose they used the other conductors for two-way communication between
the components. Like having a signal that the power amp is overheating
sent from the power amp to the main processor, and a message flashes on
your TV, or on a digital readout. Or maybe the status of the outboard
processor could be displayed through the main processor to the TV or
digital readout. This has potential!
OK, I connected the Rotel RSP-980 and RDA-980 together with DB-25, then
the output of the RSP-980 to a Rotel RB-985 five channel power amp (100
w/ch) using another DB-25 cable, and to Velodyne F-1500 or M&K MX-5000
subwoofers. Input was from a Yamaha laserdisc player and Audio Alchemy
CD player.
The sound of the Rotels was great! The only problem I had was playing
CDs in surround modes. Unless the TV was on, I couldn't adjust the
levels of the various channels easily. The "Balance Check" button on the
remote control is used for this, but on-screen display is the only way
to see which channel is being adjusted. You can hear the pink noise
coming from the individual channels, but still, there should be an
indication on the processor. I consider this to be an oversite at the
design stage . . . definitely an inconvenience. But, the sound is really
what matters, because I can find fault with any component as far as user
friendliness is concerned. So could you. So could anyone. The
instruction manual states that the balance between channels is done by
using the balance check during the initial set up. For two-channel
stereo, this might work, but not for movies or CDs being played in
surround sound (Pro Logic and DTS). Time and again, I want to adjust the
volume of the center channel with respect to the front left/right or the
front with respect to the rear. The "Ctr Fcs" button (Center Focus) on
the remote control adjusts the center channel volume one notch, but
adjusting the rear is not so obvious. This has to be done with the
balance check control. Not all movie sound tracks are balanced the same,
and not all CDs either. Hey, just put 6 small LEDs on the front, and a
button to select channel volume, left and right arrows to move to the
channel you want, and adjust the volume. Or how about just buttons on
the remote for master volume, center volume and rear volume, with a left/right
balance. Simple. On the other hand, I did like the fact that I could
adjust the right rear volume independently from the left rear. Many
processors don't let you do that. Even the subwoofer volume could be
adjusted with a constant rumble coming from that channel when selected,
using the balance check. Cool. Also, the on-screen display works with
both standard coax (composite video) and the S-Video connections.
There was some hiss coming from the rear speakers with Pro Logic. The
RSP produced a little less than I have heard from other units, but it
was there nonetheless. That is typical of suround sound processors.
I was especially impressed with the AC-3 sound quality of the RDA into
the RSP. Some of the other units I have heard sound harsh. I used to
think it was just the relatively low bit rate of AC-3 that was
responsible. Not so. A good AC-3 processor like the RDA-980 makes a big
difference. It sounded very smooth . . . no listening fatigue. There are
various delay possibilities with both components. Pro Logic delay is 15
- 30 ms, Music has 15 - 90 ms depending on which music mode (Music,
Jazz, Concert, and Stadium), and the RDA-980 has its own set of delay
times for the center channel and rear, since it plugs into the 5.1 input
of the RSP and bypasses the RSP delay functions. Delay for the center is
available so that the sound from all three front channels will arrive at
the listener's position at the same time. I didn't find the music modes
very useful. I have not come across a stereo movie sound track or stereo
CD that doesn't have some surround info, so I like the Pro Logic mode
with THX when playing any stereo movies or music.
The THX mode adds some "decorrelation" to the rear speakers. Basically,
this means that the sound between the two rear speakers is slightly out
of phase rather than just simple mono. It makes the rear sound more
diffuse. I found the THX mode preferable to straight Pro Logic, and once
I heard it, I used it all the time. THX shuts off when 5.1 is selected (for
the RDA).
The subwoofer setup was a little tricky. I had to play around a bit with
the speaker size selectors on the back of the RDA to get significant
amounts of bass to go through to the sub. You can also set switches on
the back of the RSP to remove <80 Hz sound from the front (Front
Hi-Pass) or rear (Surround Hi-Pass), and speaker size selectors will
remove < 100 Hz info from the center and send it to the front left/right.
With the subwoofer in use, 100 Hz - 80 Hz will go to the front left/right
and <80 Hz goes to the sub. This is very flexible, but can be confusing.
It sure was to me. However, after a lot of fiddling, and some cussing, I
got the system just the way I wanted it, and everything was fine.
Compared to one of our all-in-one receivers, the Rotel was a lot harder
to use, but better sound. Guess it depends on what is more important to
the user. In the middle of all the cussing, I might have been persuaded
to take the easy route, but now that I have it all in check, sound
quality . . . definitely. The difference could be due to lot of things.
Better circuit parts, the RF demodulation in a separate chassis from the
main preamp/processor. Who knows? It was better, and that is what counts.
The two Rotel components weigh 26 pounds together. That's more than some
all-in-one receivers, with power amps. I would suspect the Rotel package
has more substantial (clean as well as strong) power supplies than the
average receiver.
All in all, I think the Rotel RSP and RDA components are cool. Not easy
to use, but hey, you know? . . . many separates are like that. As soon
as we have a DTS processor, it should plug right in, and we won't have
to throw anything away. That's really important to me.
vediamo dietro:
Il telecomando:
Il suo finale:
Finale
multicanale Rotel RB 976 MKII
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