Always wanted one of these...
steveinaz
Posts: 19,545
I have always admired Rotel from afar, well, my 'ol CEC CD3300 finally bit the dust after 24 years of service. Ordered a Rotel CD14MkII CD Player for the shop rig, and I'm pretty excited about it.
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
Comments
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Congrats! Black or silver?SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|REL T/9X SE Sub
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Silver.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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Pics or didn't happen.
2ch rig: Speakers: Magnepan LRS w/Magna Riser stands Preamplifier: Parasound P5 Amplifier: Parasound A23 CDP: Pioneer DV-563A Cables: Wireworld Equinox 7 XLR ICs, Wireworld Ultraviolet 7 USB, AudioQuest Q2s, AudioQuest NRG X(preamp)
Standby: LSi9s with VR3's Fortress mods -
You know what?
I got an old Rotel RSP-960X Dolby Pro Logic pre-amp with an old Rotel stereo pro-logic amp (means it had 2 stereo channels, a center hybrid channel and a non-discrete rear surround)...both were new in like 1995 or something, gimmie a break!
But I used it as my bedroom rig for, like, 10 years. I still have it too and the only reason it's not currently in service is because it doesn't support all the connections the kids want with their games and stuff.
It's a favorite and honestly, Rotel is an underrated brand. Their sound is neutral but not dead is the best way to put it. The best analog I can come up with is New Audio Dimensions (NAD). It is unforgiving, though and will expose garbage gear or garbage recordings. That said, a set of Polk Audio R15's absolutely shined on that Rotel gear.
Just a shame they aren't independent still. Originally from Japan they are owned a Hong Kong conglomerate now and HQ'ed in China. From what I have read, they are still true to their roots for the most part but, I dunno for sure. I haven't heard anything new from them since around 2012 when the only local dealer went out of business. The closest dealer's an hour away now.
Anyway, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts when you get in-house.Expert Moron Extraordinaire
You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you! -
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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The best analog I can come up with is New Audio Dimensions (NAD).
NAD is another one I have never owned, but always had an interest in their components.
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
The Eagle has landed....
Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Source: Rotel CD14MkII CD Player - Speakers: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
Nice!!! Enjoy your new toy!! Rotel really makes some nice heat."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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Rotel is still a Japanese family business that does business under an incorporation as Grand Green Limited in Hong Kong and very nearby on mainland China in their own factory in the city of Zhuhai. Owning their own factory is for quality control. Building in China (really it's an economic zone dominated by Hong Kong and Macau) and controlling everything is to keep costs low. A decision was made to move out of Japan to lower-cost production areas. Anyway, interesting read from a few years ago on their factory and the company's long relationship with B&W that manufactures speakers in the same factory. I think they also still do some voicing work in the UK but not certain about that.
https://darko.audio/2015/03/rotel-electronics-a-zhuhai-factory-tour/
I knew this stuff a long time ago because I read through some "secret" dealer marketing material when I I was hanging around a store (when those still existed!) and bought a couple of Rotel amps and a processor. At the time they sought out brick and mortar dealers with the promise they wouldn't see their products being sold online so the dealers would be able to get a good profit and benefit from Rotel's lower production costs in Zhuhai compared to the big Japanese companies. Things change! -
GREAT Article.
I saw they had the B&W CM10's, like I just purchased, in front of them. That was cool to see.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
--Mark Twain.
“If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.” - Steven Wright -
I picked up a Rotel CD11 Tribute and I am rather pleased with it. While it may be slightly lacking impact, the sound stage is super.Stan
Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.
HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60
Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
