tom

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $300.00 from ebay

Summary:
I know there have been few reviews lately for this reciever. I can't help but to reiterate the great marks this reciever has earned. I just bought a Sumo Polaris amp and the tubelike tonal characteristic of this amp is a perfect match with the Rotel and my speakers. I recently came across some Snell CV's and needed to really open these babys up. The 50 Rotel watts was enough since these speakers are quite efficient, but now with 100 plus watts I can hear or feel that 24 hz even better. I also tried an NAD 3150 and that drove them well too, but not the same. The Rotel smokes the NAD in almost all regards. The biggest difference to me is that low bass floor the Rotel can project. The problem is without speakers like these you wouldn't even notice how that last octave is being handled. I have a Parasound 1500 preamp coming. If it works I can't wait to hear if there is any improvement. I'm not sure there can be much but it is hard for me to believe a reciever can sound this good both on it's own and as a preamp. I haven't climbed too far up the hi-fi ladder yet, but on my budget I am lucky to have found this piece and the Snells are amazing too.

Strengths:
imaging
musicality
bass weight

Weaknesses:
Remote died

Similar Products Used:
NAD 3150
Onkyo 501
Other Rotels

Price Paid:  $300.00 from ebay

Summary:
I know there have been few reviews lately for this reciever. I can't help but to reiterate the great marks this reciever has earned. I just bought a Sumo Polaris amp and the tubelike tonal characteristic of this amp is a perfect match with the Rotel and my speakers. I recently came across some Snell CV's and needed to really open these babys up. The 50 Rotel watts was enough since these speakers are quite efficient, but now with 100 plus watts I can hear or feel that 24 hz even better. I also tried an NAD 3150 and that drove them well too, but not the same. The Rotel smokes the NAD in almost all regards. The biggest difference to me is that low bass floor the Rotel can project. The problem is without speakers like these you wouldn't even notice how that last octave is being handled. I have a Parasound 1500 preamp coming. If it works I can't wait to hear if there is any improvement. I'm not sure there can be much but it is hard for me to believe a reciever can sound this good both on it's own and as a preamp. I haven't climbed too far up the hi-fi ladder yet, but on my budget I am lucky to have found this piece and the Snells are amazing too.

Strengths:
imaging
musicality
bass weight

Weaknesses:
Remote died

Similar Products Used:
NAD 3150
Onkyo 501
Other Rotels

Summary:
Associated equipment:

Rotel RCD-950 cd player
Systemdek IIX turntable
NHT SuperOne speakers on Target stands
NHT SWP2SI powered subwoofer
Magnum Dynalab FM antenna

Compared with a Rotel integrated that was close to the same price and found virutally no difference. Enjoy listening to some of the public radio and classical/jazz stations in the area. VERY good tuner section when coupled with a good antenna. We live near an apartment building and the combination of the Rotel and Magnum Dynalab antenna does a great job at reducing multipath interference.

Still listen to vinyl so having the phono pre-amp section was a real plus. Again, very quiet and musical.

Until I got the powered sub to take some of the load off, must admit the Rotel had trouble driving the SuperOnes, which are a fairly insenstive compact speaker. With the powered sub, this baby rocks! Feed it some Miles Davis, Massive Attack or Blue Rodeo, whatever your tastes may be, and you will be impressed. If you don't want to spend the money on separates, this is a very acceptable alternative. Problem is, I've cannibalized the NHTs for my home theater setup and need some new speakers. Anybody have suggestions, feel free to e-mail me. Need a sensitive speaker that is less than $1,000/pair. Currently using an old pair of Paradigm 7SEs. Great speaker in its time but I can afford a bit better now.

Strengths:
very musical, solid build quality, good value, great tuner and phono pre-amps

Weaknesses:
bit underpowered if driving low sensitivity speakers

Summary:
I purchased the RX-950 used and have been *very* happy with it's performance. It replaced a 100wx2 Yamaha reciever. I will never go back to Yamaha/Sony/etc for music (maybe for HT). I 'borrowed' a 75x2 rotel integrated amp from a local store and couldn't tell much difference (I was very impressed). Very highly recommended.

Summary:
I have to agree with all the reviews below me. This receiver sounds better than any YAMAHA/SONY/HARMAM KARDON that I ever heard, regardeless of price. Smooth, laid back and detailed. It has only 50 Watts per channel but dont let that fool ya. I can turn the volue control up to the 2 oclock position without strain or distortion. Its a 2 channel only receiver though. I am currently looking for a good surround receiver or processor. Until I find one, this baby makes me happy enough. Two caveats: not enough inputs and I can hear a slight amount of midrange grain. Still, it performs better or at least as good as receivers costing well over one thousand dollars(believe me, I heard them)