Video Asylum

Posted by rhaynes on March 25, 2001 at 13:23:07

I am finally headed down the final stretch for a purchase of some home audio equipment. I am having a hard time determining between the B&K Ref 30 and 7250 combination and the Rotel 985 preamp and 1095 amp combination.

I have review at Audioreview.com numerous reviews and the summary is:

1. The Rotel preamp only has analog bypass with an additional cable while the B&K is more flexible.
2. Supposedly, the Rotel is not clear in the bottom and high ends.
3. The Rotel has 19 reviews all of a 5 rating
4. The B&K has 11 reviews with not all at 5 ratings.
5. The B&K reviews frequently reference Rotel with the final decison for B&K based on the soundstage and general sound quality.
6. The Rotel reviews do not reference B&K specifically.
7. The B&K review contain more superlatives.

I have also read review in the Perfect Vision:

1. Problems with B&K 7250 sound reproduction.
2. General good review for the Rotel 1095.

I would like to get opinions from others that has compared this product line who have more experience with the particular problem. I am not looking for I have one or the other and it sounds great. I am looking for people who had a chance to audition these or similar setups with the same controls (speaker cable, speakers) and have a firm base to make an assessment.