Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Stereo Rotel RX-1052 VS Harmon Kardon 3480

Look at these as well Outlaw Audio
30 day trial available. You get to try it at home.

Actually I am trying to get away from separates. My gear is about 17 years old. I was also thinking that I could take the separates to work for some better sounds at work. Just have to buy four small speakers for the shop. Unless my receiver fails, it will not be replaced for a VERY long time. I will not be upgrading as I would for the home theatre system. It is just two channels going hard.
I do like the idea of the long warranty. A similarly powered NAD unit is 50% more! Unless you just get an integrated amp.
Do you think the reliability will be an issue when going to a three in one unit?

Thanks for the input!

Shane D

Nice looking gear, but very pricey. Their cheapest power amp would be about the same price as the Rotel all in one.

Definitely nice stuff though, and thanks for the input.

Shane D

In reply to:

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I am looking at this as a long term investment

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Rotel

Brief, and to the point.

Thanks!

Shane D

“Do you think the reliability will be an issue when going to a three in one unit?”

I think the simple fact that your last separates have lasted 17 years is a pretty strong argument for staying with separates. It’s kinda like the all in one home office printer/fax/copier/scanners. If the fax goes tits up, it takes everything else with it. And you will never see them in a productive office environment where they will see a lot of use. With separates, you can at least replace the unit that goes bad on you. Also, as you are surfing around price shopping, you’ll soon see that the high end audio components are mostly separates. I certainly noticed a difference with the Rotels, and I didn’t have a junk receiver to start with.

But again, it’s all about what you can afford and stomach spending. If money was not an issue, I’d probably have 20K in gear. But I’d rather spend that on a vacation, so I get the best that I can justify. I went with Rotel because I felt that they were a reasonably priced, excellent product. I was going to buy NAD, but at the last minute, the vendor pissed me off, so I cancelled the order.

If you’re set on a receiver, then get the best that you can afford. I think that Rotel, NAD and Parasound Classic line would all be excellent choices. Those are the three brands that I narrowed my search down to after countless hours of research. After those three choices, you’re next step up will be double the price. Or, you could go down and wonder if you made the right choice.

Good luck and happy shopping.

I see your point about the separates. I think the reason that my stuff has lasted so long is that, I only use it on weekends. The home theatre stuff is not even used that often. When just watching TV, I just listen to the TV. Except when baseball is on. With baseball, it just sounds better through the home theatre set up. More crowd noise, etc.
I think that I will go with a receiver. Right now, the Rotel is looking like the best deal for just a stereo receiver. The NAD is much more money, for a comparable power rating, and I have to go across town. The Rotel dealer will order it in, and let me keep for it a while. If I want to, I can return it.
Regarding your last point, I know that there are a lot of cheaper options out there, but I would hate to save some money and then kick myself for not getting the best that I could afford.

I had Rotel RX-1052 receiver before I sold it and got RB1070/Rc1070 combo. I was very happy with my receiver... but, as I had some money saved, I wanted to be happier.. and the separates actually deliver. Also I did not need radio. Separates also give you the opportunity for easier upgrade. For example, once I build a HT, I will use my RB-1070 (or if I swap it for RB-1080) to power the fronts.

Anyway, if budget matters to you, go for RX-1052.. I am sure you will like it!!

Thanks for the reply. I am leaning very heavily towards getting the Rotel. I will think long and hard over the long weekend with my favourite analytical tool - many rum and cokes :-)

Shane D

One last parting tidbit of advise that comes from undisputed facts and personal experience.

Don’t shop on line with a credit card handy while drinking. Especially Amazon……………