| Audio Emporium
Newsletter Rotel’s
RB-1582, $1500, 200 w/ch AB Power Amp One
of the better values in a powerhouse amp since about 2002 has been Rotel’s RB-1080.
The RB-1080 at 200x2 was invariably compared to mucho expensive Brystons, Krells and other
high end competition. RB-1080 is really something of a classic, similar to the Adcoms of
the early 80s (did you know Rotel built those for Adcom?!). Rotel’s
goal is to perform in the same neighborhood as the esoteric names, without the high
pricing. RB-1080 has finally been replaced. RB-1582 steps up to the plate. The cosmetics
are cool- with the new slot vented 15 Series design. It weighs over 40 pounds and carries
the kind of muscle you would expect. We have fired up some heavy duty speakers with it,
including B&W 803s and Paradigm S-100s. Both really smiled with RB-1582 in line.
RB-1582 has a big lower end push and the middle is more forward and detailed than its
predecessor. Long live the RB-1582! If
you’re looking for a high powered amp south of Bryston’s 4B-SST ($4250),
consider the new Rotel RB-1582! Marantz
SA-8003 SACD/CD Player, $1000 After
being backordered for months, at long last the Marantz SA-8003 CD player is back in. The
SA-8003 plays stereo SACD and Red Book CDs. You don’t need many SACDs to know they’re
the best. It’s too bad the industry is embracing MP-3 instead of going north. But for
those of you who want a few SACDs in your collection. SA-8003 is a high quality,
affordable way to get there. Lower end SACD players that have DVD drives with multiple
channels don’t sound as good! Has USB input on face. Brahms Symphonies Brahms wrote 4 wonderful symphonies. Unlike a lot of composers, Brahms didn’t address the symphonic form until he was in his 40s. While he didn’t write a lot of them, what he wrote was beautiful and you should get all four. Buy the Harnoncourt led Berlin Phil. It’s a 3 CD box on Teldec for $47. It’s an excellent value with top flight sound! True Music Lover When President Grant entered office people were concerned about his commitment to the arts. When asked what kind of music he liked, Grant reportedly said, “I only know two songs. One of them is Yankee Doodle and the other one ain’t.” |