Full, detailed sound. Plenty of inputs.

Minor quality-control problem.

This receiver has a very rich, full sound and plenty of power. I use it only for music, paired with Snell Acoustics K-5 speakers, which are fairly inefficient. The only complaint I have is that the CD input is defective; the sound comes and goes, and sometimes there's a hum. There is no Rotel warranty service center in New York, but Rotel, via e-mail, appears to be on-the-ball and very accomodating. I plan to have the problem fixed, or the unit replaced. Meanwhile, I'm using one of the many a/v inputs in the rear for the cd. Overall, I would highly recommend this unit.

Similar Products Used:

Harman Kardon, NAD.

Very easy to use, great remote, lots of connections, solid build quality, great sound, display easy to read.

No digital inputs? But if I never go for surround sound (and I'm not a believer) then that's not really a weakness

I purchased this baby on the advice of my sales guy when I bought my Martin Logans and have been pleased with the results. As I've upgraded cabling and my CD player (DVP 9000ES which plays SACDs) the sound has gotten even better. It has a good deep bass and better soundstage than I've heard from some separates at some shops. I may go for separates someday, but for the money this thing rocks, literally. Great on funk and rock and roll, even with my MLs which are allegedly a tad polite in that area. My SACDs sound wonderful played through it. The remote is very good and the unit is solidly built and looks nice. Lots of connections on the back too.

It will be a while before I upgrade to separates, if I ever do. I'm sure I could get more audiophile sound but would have to spend a lot more to do it. This is a great entry/mid level unit.

Similar Products Used:

None recently

detail, clarity, warmth (almost tube-like)

none at this price

The best two channel receiver out there. I have been auditioning more expensive separates for months and thought that was the way to go. Wrong. Why would somebody want a preamp or integrtaed with no tone controls, headphone jack or phono board? Look no further and save hundreds or even thousands. And you say you're an audiophile?...huh.

Similar Products Used:

arcam, krell, b&k, etc.

Simple design features,very easy to use, superior performance,simplicity of design

None

Sound quality for playing CDs is excellent. Simple controls without overdoing unecessary adjustments which are seen on other receivers.Perhaps a bit bigger(deeper) than usual housing for a receiver.....had to cut out the back of my stereo cabinet.Listening to CDs has now become a joy with this receiver hooked up to my NAD C540 CD player and Definitive Technology DR 7 monitors.

Similar Products Used:

Yamaha, NAD

Rotel quality at a price that competes with "ordinary" brands

Dealers don't stock/display it so I couldn't listen before purchase.

It took 10 days to order. The first 20 hours it sounds harsh and non-dynamic, but suddenly it bloomed into a solid performer. I did hear a 60 hz hum from it for a few minutes just once about a month ago. Have used it with very high quality speakers (anyone remember Fried Model C5's?) and it didn't show any real weaknesses. Limitations that you can live with, but no glaring problems.

I use it for listening to movies and broadcast television, but except for occasional DVD use, the only serious listening I do is to music. I couldn't find a good sounding 5.1 speaker system in my price range ($1,500) and I didn't want to have my living room look like an audio shop with 6 larger speakers. Like most folks, I don't normally sit in the middle of the room so balancing the system to sound good to everyone would have been impossible. Therefore IMHO consider 5.1 as impractical for most audio enthusiasts. Besides you'd have to spend $2,000 to get the same quality in a typical 5.1 channel A/V receiver as I got with this Rotel.

The only limitations I have now is speakers and poor recordings. IMHO unless you listen exclusively to high quality recordings you don't need anymore than this unit.