I hear people constantly speak of Cambridge Audio, Arcam, and NAD, but hardly ever speak of Rotel.



Are their products good?

From what I could recall, Rotel products (mostly their amps and CD players) are pretty well reviewed on What's Hi-Fi and a number of other HI-Fi magazines. But I suspect that the brand has a smaller presence outside of the U.K. and Europe.

I have the Cambridge Audio amp. But that's partially because it is much easier to get the Cambridge Audio here than some other British brands, like Rotel. Would have certainly consider it if it was available in my area.

If you get the chance to audition a Rotel product, please do share!!!

Rotel's 855/865 and 955/965 were very well regarded in the early to mid 90's as excellend budget cd players. Stereophile gushed about them, and I still have a broken 855 which I am unable to throw away.

My sense, though not emperical in any way, is that Rotel is a tad bit more expensive than the stuff you mentioned. I will also mention that while shopping for a cd player last summer, I listened to the current Rotels and made the mistake of listening to a Cary immediatly after. While one might suggest that the Cary costs more than 3x the price, it seemed to me to sound more than 3x better, so take that as a review of sorts (though I am unable to comment on current NAD et al. in relation to Rotel.) Oh, also Rotel makes a big deal about not allowing their stuff to be sold online, so this might be an influence.

-d

Rotel have a VERY good reputation here in the UK, much higher regarded than Cambridge Audio for example, and for good reason, if you hear them side by side, then most people seem to prefer Rotel by a LONG way, at least in this country.

Their house sound is somewhat different to most of the other mainstream manufacturers though, which can lead to a love/hate thing. They are typically bright, fast, punchy and very lively components, regarded as a sort of "baby Naim" type sound, especially in the case of their most recent stuff, like the 02 series and the old 97x series.

On the other hand, another brand which seems very popular on this board, Cambridge Audio, is regarded as quite poor in the UK, being sold in a shop called Richer Sounds, well regarded as being for entry level hifi only. I used to own the A500 amp and found it flat, lifeless, muddled and lacking in detail, and is not in the same league as a Rotel for example.

Its definitely safe to say Rotel are more than likely to be on of the 3 most popular brands of hifi in the UK, at least speaking to people who work in shops seem to suggest that to be the case.

So there is no way to buy them online in the states?

I think they are distributed in the US -- for example, here is a well-regarded store that stocks Rotel equipment.

.

I agree, in caps too if needed:

ROTEL MAKES GREAT GEAR

Like this 380 watt x 2 @ 8 ohm < 0.03% ThD BEAST, the Rotel RB-1090

Rotels been popular since the early 80's when I first heard of them.

Consistent problem with Rotel is its constructed poorly. They all break at some time well before it should.

I know a few people with Rotel amps, pre and such and they ALL have had the gear break down.

Sonically, the Rotel is as good as any mid fi component mentioned in this thread.

My buddy has(had) the BIG Rotel and it suited him fine for a few years, till it broke. It sounded great but still does not compare to a HiFi unit like a CJ or Bryston.

Rotel doesnt sell online or through mail order. I know because I tried to hook someone here up with a local dealer. As someone mentioned earlier the sound is brighter than NAD and other mid fi components so careful system matching is important, which people just getting into hifi may not have the patience to do correctly. The other thing about Rotel is that most of their entry level stuff is close to double the price of the Cambridge stuff. Their big ass amp is an Absolute Sound recommended component.

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??? I've owned a Rotel RA-931 integrated for 6 years, and I can tell you that for the price it's built like a tank, and thus far hasn't givin' me so much as a hiccup.

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This is true, but shouldn't be a problem if you match with warmly voiced speakers such as PSB, Paradigm, or Tannoy.

........... That I have found that sells Rotel stuff

Take a look here and check it out.


D

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According to their site "ListenUp is an authorized Rotel Internet dealer. Products purchased on-line may be picked up in-store or delivered by ListenUp." I believe this means they don't ship Rotel.

According to Rotel's web site "Please note that in order to maintain the highest standards of customer service, Rotel dealers are prohibited from selling our products via mail order, or over the internet. In some circumstances, dealers may provide information and accept payment for product through these methods, but the completion of the sale requires the dealer to personally deliver the product, or the customer must visit the store to pick up their purchase and be fully informed of the products' operational features."

-d