Here's my short review on the Yamaha RX-V659 and Rotel RB-985 combo w/Monitor Audio B6 as fronts,Monitor Audio Bronze Center as center channel,old Bose bookshelf as surround and an Old Onkyo subs from my HTIB.
SACD/DVD-A/CD player - Pioneer 588A(also recommended
)
DVD -Oppo upconverting dvd player-(good upconverter if you have an HDTV,will sell this when HD-DVD drive for the 360 comes out
)
Test CDs and DVDs
Norah Jones(SACD)without the amp - a little harsh at around -34Db,my old Onkyo did a better job at high volumes.
With the Rotel RB-985 amp - totally different story.I am a believer now that you can actually feel that the singer is infront of you.no harshness at -30Db,it's like the singer is reaching out.No bull****.Then i said to myself,sulit ang binayad ko sa amp.2 channel stereo mode and multi channel were both amazing.Sound was very clean and clear.Galing!
Narada Smooth Jazz-almost the same with or without the amp.
Marta Gomez - CANTOS DE AGUA DULCE - seperation was more defined.played with volume at
-24Db,medyo mahina for me around -30Db but with the amplifier,playing at higher volumes was not a problem.
Eagles-hell freezes over DTS-
,hotel california was the best with acoustic guitars.
Godsmack-The Other Side(Hybrid SACD)-only 7 songs but worth it.vocal and instrument separation was way better.2 channel and multi channel sounded excellent.
MOVIES
Saving Private Ryan,beach landing-only at -34Db,bass was more powerful and buong buo.
Moulin Rouge-great movie,liked it because of nicole kidman,hehehe.Without the amp i had to raise the volume to -20Db but the yammy was able to take it.good receiver,best with external amp.
I'm really impressed with the Rotel RB-985's power and the Yamaha RX-V659's processing capabilities.For me,this is a perfect match.Power and grace,parang BMW,hehehe.Anyway,i'm very happy with my setup right now.Just wanted to share with you guys my experience with these gears.
Two thumbs up for both music and HT.