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Rotel or NAD??


no1boogie

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Help!! I am new to the forum and joined so I could ask a question. I bought a pair of RF 7's and want to upgrade my amp. I have an old (23 years approx) NAD and have enjoyed it. I am looking at either Rotel or Nad for my next amp. I would love to go Mcintosh but money is a decided issue thus the RF 7's and not Cornwalls. The Rotel I looked at is the RX-1052: 100 watts per channel and about $900.00. The NAD is 150 watts and about $800.00. (Can't remember the model). Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks

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Hi and welcome to the forum. Are you looking for an integrated amp or power amp? If you are looking for an integrated amp, I have had good luck with NAD. Their C-372 has good power, 150 watts x 2, and some very nice features like two pre-outs. Makes it easier to ad a power amp for bi-amping or, buy the companion C-272 amp and bridge them. The RF-7 likes power so the more quality watts you throw at them, the happier they and you will be. I have no experience with Rotel equipment but they are well respected by many.

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McIntosh 2105, same price, better sound, zero depreciation.

A Mac for 800?!

NAD puts out some very good power, and usually has lots of headroom. Although I have nver used or heard a Rotel (I am sure they are good), I would go with the NAD and higher wattage. I have a 20 year old NAD int amp that still works well.

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I have RF-7 speakers and have a collection of different amps and Klipsch speakers. I find myself listening to the RF-7 much of the time with the Rotel RB-1080 (200wpc) and Rotel RB-1090 (380wpc). It's a great combo, I've been very pleased with the results. I also like the Rotel RX-1052 and Rotel rates their power very conservatively, and yes the RX-1052 will give the RF-7's the quality watts/power it needs. The Klipsch and Rotel forums have many satisfied users of the Klipsch/Rotel combo, do a search and read up on some of the comments. I don't think you can go wrong with this combo, it really brings life into the RF-7's, I was very impressed!

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I have RF 7's and had the Nad C272 new, and rotel 990 bx used. Both were fine but I thought the 990 had a slight edge plus my mind said 200w is better. The 990's are frequently available for $450 used. For some reason there are FAR more much newer 1080's used at $750 than 990's Hmmmm. Currently I have the 1090 380w and love it.

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I have Rotel Home Theater receiver using only L/C/R and love the resulting sound.  Perhaps a bit more expensive than NAD (which I have owned in the past and considered them to be excellent but not as good as the Rotel).  I vote for Rotel but respect the NAD.

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Ditto the RB-1080 (rotel 2x200wpc) for the RF-7. I like 200wpc due to impedance issues with the RF-7. Only experience I have is with SS...others get good results with lower powered tubes.

I love this combo; other quality amps would certainly do (no experience with NAD). This is my "2-channel" set-up. I complete the HT system with an additional RMB-1075 (5x130wpc) for the center, surround, and one back channel making a 6.1 using a Klipsch RC-35 for a "center-back". The Rotels are affordable, easily found used, and keep value. Sometimes, dealers will discount if you ask. I got my 1080 brand new for $850...not much more than a used one.

BTW, I may have misunderstood. Are you looking for just a receiver? Have you already planned for a pre/pro? Sometimes, receivers with high-power ratings still don't do well with the RF-7. I gave up a perfectly good Yamaha RX-V2600 with 130wpc in favor of the Rotel and pre/pro. The Yammi was not even close to what the separate Rotel does. This is obvious by virtue of extra power and power supples etc. But you will have a significant extra expense for the pre/pro. However, once again, I haven't ever auditioned a dedicated 2 channel receiver. It might be just right.

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When I had my RB1080 I personally didn't start liking the sound till the output power started reaching about 1/2 to 3/4 of a watt. By that time the music was louder than I wanted for some situations with high efficiency speakers. After a few years I sold the Rotel and bought a Mac MC252 used for a little under $3k.

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