Halo or Rotel?

Telemundo
Telemundo Posts: 45
edited February 2004 in Electronics
Hi all, got one more question for all you experts out there. Have any of you heard either the Parasound Halo vs. Rotel pre/pro and amp combos? The speakers that i'll be using them with are the RTi10s, CSi5, RTi6, FXi5 and dont know which sub yet. The Halo setup i was eyeing is C2, A21(250x2), and A52(125x5). The Rotel setup is RSP1098, RB1080 (200x2), and RMB1075(120x5). The Halo setup retails for $7000 and the Rotel setup will retail about $5000. The Rotel preamp was a cool TFT screen on it, Halo makes one with a screen too, but cost too much ($6000). I'm leaning more towards the Rotel setup, cuz 1, i liked the design and appearance better, it's cheaper therefore better value, and i know both uses high quality components therefore the difference in performance isnt worth extra 2 grand. What's your guys opinion on this? Thanks in advance.
Post edited by Telemundo on
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Comments

  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited February 2004
    Doesn't sound like you listened to both of them.

    My advice is get your listening/demoing on and report back.

    On a side note I personally like Rotel over Parasound.I don't care for there sound quality.

    Dan
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2004
    I think both are great choices, but I am Parasound biased. The Parasound will match the Rotel in quality and performance in every respect, if not better on the component level. The Rotel is going to be a bit more flexible as far as connectivity is concerned...more options.

    The standard Parasound HCA line uses much better board components than most amplifiers in that bracket, the HALO is their flagship. You are also talking about two different styling approaches, one simple(Rotel) and one modern(Parasound), IMO. 2K extra doesn't come easily, so that is a tough call. I highly value a 10 year warranty, so it may be a lock for me. My biggest gripe with the HALO line, IS the look, I don't care for it.

    I really think these are two lines that just sound great, period.

    Choose what is best for your wallet, you won't be dissapointed in the Rotel in any way, its solid. You basically answered your own question, if you really like it, buy it.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited February 2004
    Doro - You don't like the looks of Halo??? Its the best looking equipment in the industry!!!

    This is just a heads up that there is an A21 on audiogon.com for $1400 if you are interested.

    As a side note, I own some decent parasound equipment, but i refuse to make or even imply any opinion of rotel vs. parasound because I have never heard the two together and I bothers me when there are advocates who base their opinion off of other people's opinions whom they do not know personally. As good as any product may be.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2004
    Cer - Just not a big silver gear fan...and that's basically the reason. I'm a silly man dude :D

    I agree, get some demo time with both manufacturers. I will bet money on the Parasound, but the Rotel will have the edge due to the wallet factor....and that's a very important factor.

    Parasound is a typically a missed name drop, because of people having zero experience with the products. It is a shame, because they make some solid gear. Cer has a monster example of a Parasound.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited February 2004
    doro- yeah I just got reprimanded for unleashing the monster past midnight, ahh the college life...

    I felt I wanted to elaborate on the topic objectively.

    One thing you should consider is how much you think you will use the features of your processor. The newer Rotel 1098 probably bests the C2 in terms of features, but will you really use them? How often to you plan on queuing one source while another is playing? (requiring two sources obviously) or setup without OSD. That TFT screen isnt cheap I am sure. Also, the 1098 has balanced outputs, which you wouldnt be using with the 1075 (you could use them with the 1080)


    another thing I would consider when shopping for processors is upgradability. When new formats start becoming more mainstream I wouldnt want to be left out in the cold.

    More things: Do you have a worthy source? As much as I love my panny, a Panasonic DVD player feeding $5k worth of equipment is kinda ridiculous. What may also be equally ridiculous is $5k of equipment feeding RTi's. My expensive parasound equip. is feeding RTi's at the moment, but I'm probably going to upgrade to something else in the near future (perhaps a DIY creation, that would be fun). I'm answering these questions in a general manner, but more personally, don't I remeber you posting about deciding between a low-level H/K receiver and something else? I would be wary to advise you to drop 5k on electronics if you haven't tried a decent, well-calibrated, receiver-based system, and been concomitantly dissatisfied. I use a mid-level h/k for my home theater and I really wouldnt think about upgrading, i'm quite satisfied with it. In retrospect, maybe this is a BS thread and you are trying to start a fight between loyalists in different camps? I wish I had thought of that
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited February 2004
    shoot....flip a coin, their both great amps. I think you'll get more power for your money from the Parasound though--Rotel is pretty pricey. Why not the "HCA" series? You'll save alot of $'s over the Halo.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2004
    What may be also be equally ridiculous is $5k of equipment feeding RTi's. My expensive parasound equip. is feeding RTi's at the moment, but I'm probably going to upgrade to something else ini the near future (perhaps a DIY creation, that would be fun).

    Cer,

    You are saying DIY is better than Polk RTi? IMO they may not be the top of the polk line but still mighty fine speakers that can handle the equipment being talked about.
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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited February 2004
    of course they can "Handle" it. But spending more on equipment than for all your speakers just seems like a bad way to go.

    When I say DIY I dont mean some crappy radioshack drivers in a PE box, I'm talking about a serious investment in drivers and crossovers (likely in a pre-designed kit) in a well made enclosure
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  • Telemundo
    Telemundo Posts: 45
    edited February 2004
    what's wrong with spending more and getting something of higher quality to feed the RTi speakers? I've heard the RTis setup that i want with a H/K630 and liked it. That's why i'm sure that the speakers itself is capable of doing fine job, but i just wanted to do even better by taking a huge load off a AVR. I'm sure there's alot of receivers out there that's capable, but why not taking it beyond that "capable" level. From the replies that i got from my earlier posts when i was asking about the mid-level H/K was that "if i cant go big with the AVR, then dont go at all". And now i'm getting replies that tells me a budget receiver will do just fine. Man, i'm going with the Rotel combos, forget you guys. Too many different opinions here.
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  • Telemundo
    Telemundo Posts: 45
    edited February 2004
    by the way....obviously i'm going to upgrade the DVD player as well....duh....just that i already know which dvd player i want as well as which tv to upgrade to....that's why i'm only askin bout the preamp and amp combos...nothing else..
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,755
    edited February 2004
    LOL...lots of folks here. Ask a question and you'll get lots of different answers, but a few guys gave you the best answer to your questions. Go out and get your listen on, it's the only way to really know. FWIW, I don't see a problem with getting $5K of power gear to feed your speakers. In fact, I think it's great that you want to upgrade and whatever you end with, let us know.....write a review, it may help someone else in the future.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited February 2004
    LOL--yes lots of different views here, that is part of the addiction of the gear and these electronic idols we build from it.

    The Rotel's are a fine choice, once you get them up an running post on them.

    I like reading the reviews from the forum members much more than those in the magazines.
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  • JDOGG
    JDOGG Posts: 433
    edited February 2004
    Halo package now only $5990.00. :)
    http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=PARHC2COMBO&product_name=C2,%20A52,%20A23%20Package%20Deal
    Panasonic VIERA 46" 1080p plasma
    Onkyo TX-SR805
    Klipsch RF-7(bi-amped)
    Klipsch RF-25
    Xbox 360 with HD DVD
    Playstation 3
    Cobalt Cable
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,755
    edited February 2004
    SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

    I love silver and blue......got no idea how it sounds, but hear good things.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Ceruleance
    Ceruleance Posts: 991
    edited February 2004
    He wants the A21 for his fronts, not the 23

    A21 that was on audiogon now on ebay for same price

    are you planning on listening before you buy or just going for it?
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  • Telemundo
    Telemundo Posts: 45
    edited February 2004
    thanks you guys for taking your time to reply. yes, i wanted to go out there and listen to them before I get them. The problem is, with the local dealers around here, Bay Area, California, no one has all the components together at the same time. Rotels are being carried in the higher end or specialty dealers and Polks are carried in lower end stores like Frys and Circuit City. That means the only way i get to listen to either the Halo and Polk/ Rotel and Polk setup is at home only. And I hate bringing anything i bought back for returns, especially when it's more expensive. That's why i'm askin you guys maybe one of you had personal experience with them. I'm still leaning more towards the Rotel components tho, they just easier on the eyes and wallet without all that flash. The TFT screen isnt that big of a deal to me so probably the RSP 1066 is a better choice. And yes, i did hear that there's new models coming out in the Rotel line soon, I think it's a RSP1068 that will replace the 1066 with a newer DAC. All and all, i got the answer that i wanted to hear is that either way, both are well made components that will sound great. I know i've said i will post pics once i get all the gear and i will. Just that this process is taking alot longer than I thought. One more product just leads me to more and more research, but I'm glad I did, cuz i know alot more about these AV stuff than I did less than 2 months ago. Thanks you guys, look out for my posts in the system showcase soon.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited February 2004
    Money is a driver in all things. Buy the Rotel....you can't lose, period.

    Let us know what works out, we all look forward to your decision.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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