Pablo-

The Rotel RSP1069 is a preamp/process so you'd have to add an amplifier for it to run the Paradigm Studio 100's. A Rotel preamp/processor and amp combination would outperform the Marantz receiver.

The Marantz MM8303 receiver and Rotel RSB1069 pre/pro are multichannel units and you would only need a two-channel unit for your speakers. The Rotel RB1080 is a two-channel power amp so you would need a preamp like the Rotel RC1082 to go with it.

Have you considered Emotiva? The replacement for the RSP-2 preamp combined with a XPA-2 power amp would make those Paradigms sing.

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Thanks a lot for the quick reply! I did looked at the emotiva, but probably had the wrong assumption that because is almost a third of the price of the Rotel RB1080 or the Marantz MM8003 would not be as good.

A common but unreliable presumption.

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So a quick begginers question that could not find the answer yet, does it matter if you have a receiver from a different brand than the amplifier?

No.

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Do you get a better sound by sticking to the same brand for both components?

Not necessarily. One presumes (that word again) that components from source will be compatible but there's no assurance that the match is optimum for your application.

Kal

Pablo-

From your posts it seems like the differences between what the Marantz does and what the Rotel does aren't clear to you. They aren't equivalent to each other. The Marantz is a Receiver. The Rotel is a preamp/processor. Here are some definitions to make it a bit clearer.

Preamp/processor switches between the various sources (DVD, VHS, Satellite/cable, etc) and adjusts volume up or down. The processor takes in an audio signal and decides which sounds should go to which channels (left, center, right, left rear, right rear, sub, etc.)

2. Amplifier-Runs the speakers that's it.

3. Receiver-Builds a preamp/processor section and an amplifier section into one box for simplicity, cost, and space reasons.

In general systems based on separate preamp/processor and amps will outperform systems based on receivers. I've worked extensively with both Rotel products and Marantz products. While Marants makes nice receivers (some of the best in fact) they will NOT measure up to what a Rotel preamp/processor and amp combination can deliver. In addition to the extra performance of a system based on preamp/processors and separate amplifiers they are also more flexible because they can be upgraded in stages. For example if surround formats change, and they do quite often there is no need to change the amps. If you get bigger speakers that need more power there is no need to change the preamp.

Also worth noting The Rotel RB1080 is only two channels so you would need another amp IN ADDITION to use with the RSP 1069 Preamp/processor if you wanted to do surround. That or buy one of Rotel's multichannel amps, they make a number of nice 5 channel amps. If you are doing a 7 channel system the RB1080 and an RMB1075 or RMB1095.