I have experience with the two brands. I know you asked specifically about each company’s CD players but I’ll also give my experience on their amplification as well.
In terms of source components, Sony walks all over the Rotel. My old Sony CE595 SACD 5-disc changer is much smoother and natural sounding than the RCD-1072 which is a bit too forward and bloated in the bass. The Rotel sound is much more digital and analytical. I’ve also heard some of the other ES CD players at local dealers over the years. While I don’t remember the specific model numbers, I recall them as being slanted towards the warm side of neutral.
I had an old DA-50ES receiver from the 90s handed over to me by my father. Never really cared for the sound of that one TBH. So I quite like Sony’s source components. I think the Rotel amplification (RA-1062) is quite good while their CD players are lackluster.
Just my .02 cents.
In terms of source components, Sony walks all over the Rotel. My old Sony CE595 SACD 5-disc changer is much smoother and natural sounding than the RCD-1072 which is a bit too forward and bloated in the bass. The Rotel sound is much more digital and analytical. I’ve also heard some of the other ES CD players at local dealers over the years. While I don’t remember the specific model numbers, I recall them as being slanted towards the warm side of neutral.
I had an old DA-50ES receiver from the 90s handed over to me by my father. Never really cared for the sound of that one TBH. So I quite like Sony’s source components. I think the Rotel amplification (RA-1062) is quite good while their CD players are lackluster.
Just my .02 cents.