Rotel vs NAD vs CA - fast decision needed!

[admin_exported]

Hi experts!

Just auditioned hifi set (RA-04 + RCD-06 + Wharfedale CR-10) and the sound was superb!!Has anyone has this set-up?. However, I saw a few more better budget option out there such as NAD C315BEE + NAD C515BEE or CA Azur 340A + CA Azur 340C. I need advice from you guys on the brand. On speaker, do u think I can get better sound if I go for Diamond 9.1? pls advice me on this and make sure that it is going to be the same brand matching for both CD player and amp. I try not to use different brand but I'm open for the speakers. TQ

 

[vinod_david]

CA 340A + 340C + Diamond 9.1/9.2 or Tannoy F1 custom -> Great sound + VFM.

 

[Anonymous]

The Rotel RA04 is a better amp than the CA, with a smoother, weightier and more natural presentation. It' worth the price.

 

[Anonymous]

kweq:
Hi experts!

Just auditioned hifi set (RA-04 + RCD-06 + Wharfedale CR-10) and the sound was superb!!Has anyone has this set-up?. However, I saw a few more better budget option out there such as NAD C315BEE + NAD C515BEE or CA Azur 340A + CA Azur 340C. I need advice from you guys on the brand. On speaker, do u think I can get better sound if I go for Diamond 9.1? pls advice me on this and make sure that it is going to be the same brand matching for both CD player and amp. I try not to use different brand but I'm open for the speakers. TQ

Why not audition the others you mention? Also, the Rotel equipment is very good, and, if you liked the sound of them with the CR10 so much, why not just buy the system?ÿÿThe CA and NAD will sound a bit different, but not necessarily better and may be less to your taste.

 

[Anonymous]

Thansk for the reply. The reason i do not audition the rest is because they don't have them at that time. Actually I will only play jazz and country music...will never play rock. I may go for rotel then although no remote for the amp and just 3 stars for the cd player..huh?

 

[Anonymous]

For me, I'd go for the Rotel RA04 (I love it) with the with either the Cambridge or Nad CD player. Speakers wise I'd audition Monitor BR2's or Lektor 1 or 2's if your budget allows.

 

[Anonymous]

kweq:Thansk for the reply. The reason i do not audition the rest is because they don't have them at that time. Actually I will only play jazz and country music...will never play rock. I may go for rotel then although no remote for the amp and just 3 stars for the cd player..huh?

They'll be fine. Don't worry about the review.ÿThe only item I have that has been reviewed at all is my DAC, which got 4 stars. WHFÿmakes a point of suggesting you listen for yourself, and there's not a world of difference between CD players.

 

[matthewpiano]

All the kit you mention is good and, if you enjoyed the Rotel go for it.

I think you could do better on the speakers. It would be worth stretching to one of the following:

Mordaunt-Short MS902i Avant
Wharfedale Diamond 9.1
Dali Lektor 1
Dali Lektor 2

If you really want to try a completely alternative set-up, NAD and Dali pair up very well. C515BEE, C315BEE and Lektor 1s would make a superb system.

 

[Anonymous]

kweq:just 3 stars for the cd player..huh?
...it's actually a good CDP and I wouldn't worry about the three stars.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the advice guys....As for so far, I've never heard anything bad about the Rotel combination! Actually to be honest i was actually influenced by the 5 stars rated for the other brand I mentioned earlier although my heart is with the Rotel!

 

[matthewpiano]

If your heart is with the Rotel after listening to it, that is all that matters. They make excellent hi-fi.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeeep...my heart is with Rotel. The main reason I was asking is just to get opinion since I have never audition the rest. Just to be fair and just to make sure that at least some people out there also happy with Rotel.

 

[Anonymous]

Six months in with my RA-04 and Monitor Audio BR2 combination I really love it.

One nice thing about the RA-04 is that you can add a RB-03 or RB-06 power amp for bi-amping when money allows.

Others have said that this improves what is already a great amp for the money.

The power amps are 300 new or 1-200 on ebay

 

[Anonymous]

kweq:Yeeep...my heart is with Rotel. The main reason I was asking is just to get opinion since I have never audition the rest. Just to be fair and just to make sure that at least some people out there also happy with Rotel.

I wouldn't dismiss the other kit w/o audition. I'm not sure how much you can stretch your budget, but currently Richer Sounds (they have branches nationwide) offer 50% off the Dali Lektor 2 when you buy the new NAD amp (C326BEE) and CD player (C545BEE). One last word of advice: take your time and don't rush your buying decision!

 

[the record spot]

Rotel, great kit, longstanding respected brand, the RA04 is a fine amp to which you can add a power amp later I believe. The speakers could be improved on, so see if you can shake a deal out the shop.

Incidentally, the NAD amp, according to the WHF review is fine for what it is, but no great shakes when it comes to upgrading the rest of your kit. Sounds like a limitation worth pointing out. No such issues with the RA04 which will withstand a few upgrades to your other gear well enough.

 

[stephennic]

Hi,

I recommend the rotel or nad amp with either a CA 340 cd player if you want a brighter more exciting maybe slightly clinical sound or nad 515 cd for slighly warmer relaxing sound maybe a touch less detailed but more natural presentation. I havent heard the rotel cd player on my sytem but I would imagine it would be between the nad and CA for sound. Often matching brand units bring the house sound of the brand.

The nads warm and natural, CA brighter faster detailed, Rotel mixed but generally wellbalanced (middle). I have nad and rotel power amps and have owned nad and CA cd players. I have listened to Rotel cd in shop quite beefy in the bass, mids balanced, a little rolled off at the top a little like the NAD cd player.

Hope that helps.

Steve.

 

[Anonymous]

Can you explain a little bit more on future upgrade on Rotel ( sorry - am new to this). Are you saying that other brand mentioned earlier are not possible for ugrade? Only RA-04 withstand upgrades? Uprade like what? example?

 

[the record spot]

The NAD 326 amp apparently - according to the WHF review recently - will do well with similarly priced kit, so it's kind of at the limit of its powers.

The RA04 is very well rated, good reviews, etc., and for the money is a bit of a steal at £250. You have the option to add a power amp and it will stand an upgrade to a better quality CD player and speakers too. The NAD (and arguably the Cambridge) will be good for what they are, outstanding in their price bracket even, but may not have the talent to handle better partners. Others might disagree however!

 

[matthewpiano]

The Record Spot has made a valid point I feel, and its the one drawback of the cheaper NAD amps. I know because I am very familiar with the C325BEE, which is the (pretty similar) forerunner of the C326BEE.

In that respect I would be more inclined to look at the Rotel if you have upgrade plans in mind over time.

And on that note, I'm signing off from the equipment side of the forums for a couple of weeks. I'll carry on contributing to the 'This week I have mostly been listening to...' bit, so see you all there.

 

[link]

can't you add power amp to 325/326bee?