Are Rotel amps and preamps any good?

Phasecorrect you could be right on some Rotel gear but like any other Mfgr, all given models manufactured at different times are not always equal in sonic performance. You shouldn't condem the whole Rotel line over one system you heard. The type of front end & speakers you have, will have a major impact on the final results. I built my system around my speakers as I think putting most of the money here is three quarters the battle.

I prefer NADs to Rotels. Like Phasecorrect said, I found Rotel's sound to be a little too thin and less musical. The NADs I have heard seemed a little more dynamic. NADS are cheaper. Additionally, I don't know if you need to spend 50% more to do better than Rotel. I went to a tube integrated that, for me, far outdid either a NAD or a Rotel setup. I've heard most of the NADs and Rotels because the shops where I live only carry these two products. Bummer!

PS. Don't get me wrong. Rotel products are great and if I didn't have what I have, I'd be happy to own a Rotel. I thought the RCD-1072 was a good fit with my tube integrated when I tried it (I know, this is the Amp forum). Who knows, maybe my speakers (axiom M60s) shape my opinions. I've only ever heard people describe Axioms as, at best, "neutral" and at worst, "bright".

My friend owns Northwest Audio Labs in Corvallis Oregon. He sold Rotel for many years. I owned Rotel power amps, pre amps, and CD players. He recently switched to NAD (many years back he switched from NAD to Rotel but that's another story) and I currently own an NAD C162 pre amp and C542 CD player. I have heard their integrated and power amps with many different speakers much as I have Rotel. They are both great products and great values. Rotel is built like a tank. Much heavier build quality than NAD. But whatever money is not going into heavy build quality for NAD must be going into sound. In my opinion the NAD pre amp sounds better than the Rotel, and I should know as I replaced my Rotel with my current NAD. Both are very musical and mate well with different equipment. The best way I can describe the difference is that I now enjoy all of my music regardless of the genre where before I was not satisfied with my Rotels ability to communicate every genre equally well. Another thing I noticed, and please don't laugh, is that the NAD had a different rhythm. My old funk cd's got my feets a movin'. So not only was my classical and jazz records making more sense so was my popular music given back the rhythm that made me like it to begin with. Anyway 'nuff said.

Were all correct. Try running a thread on whats the best amp & you will get a 100 different answers. I'm out of here!

I must add that I recently replaced my Denon AVR1801 with my first set of seperates; a Rotel RC-1070 preamp & Rotel RB-1070 amp. My reviewers have commented about the brightness of the preamp. I must say I have never heard the clarity of the bass response so clear as I have with the seperates. My powered towers (Polk RT20p) now have come to life - I actually have had to turn the amp/bass down on the towers. I am very happy with my purchase which came to $1236 with tax.