I wasn't that keen on the RA06 and think that cheaper models will perform better. The 540 or 640a, The Marantz' that raypalmer mention, some of the budget NADs, Creek Evo would blast them all away. There are many options in that price range. When I auditioned the Rotel it was paired with it's equivalent CDP and it just didn't blow me away - at £450 I was expecting a lot more as well.