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Rotel RC-06/RB-06 combo vs Audiophonics class D

Go class D

  • Yay

    Votes: 4 80.0%

  • Nay

    Votes: 1 20.0%
  • Total voters
    5
P

pieterv1

Active Member
Joined
May 6, 2021
Messages
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Currently I have the Rotel combo mentioned above, but I'm considering buying a WiiM Ultra and use it as a full-on digital preamp, making my RC-06 preamp obsolete.

I'm wondering if I should just keep the RB-06 poweramp (confirmed to be working with a 12v trigger from my old WiiM Pro) or sell the complete Rotel combo and buy the nice and compact Audiophonics MPA-S250NC class D poweramp instead.

I've completely recapped the Rotel stack 3 years ago and upgraded opamps in the preamp, amongst a few other things. My current speakers are the Wharfedale Linton Heritage 85.

Thoughts?
 
Before selling the Rotel gear, you should audition the replacements in your own system.

By the way, your vote is not clear (to me at least).
 
If the RB-06 does not clip when playing as loud as you wish then keep it. Chances are very low a different power amp would be audibly better.
 
What do you think you can get from selling the Rotel pre+power?

Probably not enough to buy the new Audiohonics. I'd keep the power amplifier and sell the pre.
 
audio_tony said:
Before selling the Rotel gear, you should audition the replacements in your own system.

By the way, your vote is not clear (to me at least).
Click to expand...
Oh the Rotel RB-06 is a 2006 class AB design
So the vote is about class AB vs class D :)
 
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Old_School_Brad said:
What do you think you can get from selling the Rotel pre+power?

Probably not enough to buy the new Audiohonics. I'd keep the power amplifier and sell the pre.
Click to expand...
I could buy the Audiophonics excl VAT for €399.

I definitely wouldn't sell the entire Rotel stack for less! I bought the two components separately (first used the preamp with a Quad 405-2). The poweramp turned out a little harder to come by. Both components + upgrades cost me around €600 in total I think.
 
LTig said:
If the RB-06 does not clip when playing as loud as you wish then keep it. Chances are very low a different power amp would be audibly better.
Click to expand...
No it has plenty of power! Even if the Audiophonics would sound just about the same, the smaller size, cooler operating temp and energy efficiency are welcome improvements.
 
pieterv1 said:
No it has plenty of power! Even if the Audiophonics would sound just about the same, the smaller size, cooler operating temp and energy efficiency are welcome improvements.
Click to expand...
I used to own an RB-06 - I don't remember it getting very warm at all with normal listening.

As for energy efficiency - there will be little to no difference (certainly nothing worth investing extra money for).

Here in the UK, the Rotel power amps sell for around £200 - the preamps about £150 on average.

My personal opinion is stick with what you have. I would even keep the preamp as well.

EDIT: Corrected various typos in my post!!!
 
Last edited:
Okay I'll go step by step and first get myself the Ultra and maybe keep the Rotel preamp stored away. I feel a bit sentimental about selling it separately since both got the same treatment not too long ago :D
 
Sokel said:
If decide for new scheme make sure that you'll include some fail-safe between them.
Click to expand...
Not sure I'm following..

I'd go WiiM Ultra -> poweramp (either Rotel or Audiophonics, with 12v trigger)

I have not yet seen reports of the Ultra jumping to max volume and on the WiiM forums, people seem to be recommending against putting passive attenuators in place because they could color the sound in weird ways.

There's an option to set the maximum output level though. I believe it goes from 250mv to 2v. I'll probably adjust that to be safe.
 
Last edited:
pieterv1 said:
Not sure I'm following..

I'd go WiiM Ultra -> poweramp (either Rotel or Audiophonics, with 12v trigger)

I have not yet seen reports of the Ultra jumping to max volume and on the WiiM forums, people seem to be recommending against putting passive attenuators in place because they could color the sound in weird ways.

There's an option to set the maximum output level though. I believe it goes from 250mv to 2v. I'll probably adjust that to be safe.
Click to expand...
it's rare that you'll see reports about it,not only at Wiim but everywhere.
Specially if someone considers to sell,you can imagine that such an event could invalid not only DACs or other devices but speakers too as these are the ones that take the blast (ears too,but we don't sell those )

(that's one of the reasons I don't buy second hand,specially speakers)

Only the brave ones reports such stuff.
 
Sokel said:
If decide for new scheme make sure that you'll include some fail-safe between them.
Click to expand...
A thought
What you do you want from the WiiM Ultra (features, aesthetics)?
If you don't plan to use the HDMI input, the teeny screen or the subwoofer management then you could just go with a WiiM Pro Plus (very good DAC, PEQ, room correction) and keep your Rotel preamp in the chain for that fail-safe peace of mind.
 
JeremyFife said:
A thought
What you do you want from the WiiM Ultra (features, aesthetics)?
If you don't plan to use the HDMI input, the teeny screen or the subwoofer management then you could just go with a WiiM Pro Plus (very good DAC, PEQ, room correction) and keep your Rotel preamp in the chain for that fail-safe peace of mind.
Click to expand...
I totally get your point. I was already running a WiiM Pro in combination with a SMSL SU-6. I sold it this summer a few weeks before the Ultra came out, but held off from upgrading until now - partly because of the whole Airplay debacle, partly to see what peoples experiences were running it as a full-on preamp.

It's mainly about simplification, automation and streamlining for me and HDMI is a big part of that ;)
 
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Sokel said:
Only the brave ones reports such stuff.
Click to expand...
The WiiM forums are very alive actually and people complain about the smallest annoyances (mostly software stuff and absurd feature requests). If sudden volume jumps were an issue with the Ultra, I'm confident I would've known by now. It was never an issue with the previous models either.
 
pieterv1 said:
The WiiM forums are very alive actually and people complain about the smallest annoyances (mostly software stuff and absurd feature requests). If sudden volume jumps were an issue with the Ultra, I'm confident I would've known by now. It was never an issue with the previous models either.
Click to expand...
I really hope so,those reports are of great service to community.
 
Received my WiiM Ultra last weekend and so far it's been smooth sailing.

The combo with my RB-06 amp works nicely with the 12v trigger. Volume control so far has worked consistently without issues or sudden jumps - making it perfect as a digital preamp. And I very much appreciate the screen. It's a nice touch and album art is clearly visible from my listening position. Automatic input sensing doesn't work 100% of the times so it's nice having the touchscreen to quickly change inputs without having to reach for my phone.

The phono input sounds good enough for me (no complaints actually) so I'm pretty confident I can live without my analog RC-06 preamp. Still considering the upgrade/switch to Audiophonics - mainly to gain some space and hopefully a bit of cash.
 
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