Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater A/V Receiver

Hey everyone, I need some advice. I had a bout of bad luck with my Rotel 1056 receiver. One of the optical inputs is bad on it...it's 24 days old. So, I took it into the shop where I bought it, and asked for a replacement. They then called Rotel and came back and told me that Rotel won't replace it, but will repair it. I'm thinking, "what? it's less than a month old!" It should have been replaced without question in my opinion. So, I'm in the middle of an ugly battle with Rotel and the dealer I bought it from. My thought is that if they don't give me a new replacement, I'm going to ask for a refund. It's too bad, because I like the Rotel! But, it's to the point where I'm upset with the service level and am considering a different brand.
Now for my question...can you give me your thoughts on the 1056 vs an NAD T773, or finally, the Arcam 300? I know the NAD and Arcam are more expensive...but are they worth it? I'm running M80ti's that I just bought, as well as a Klipsch center (looking to upgrade that too) and two rears to complete the surround setup. Your thoughts would be appreciated!

that is to bad jrh, suprises me that Rotel would not just say ship it back and we will send ya a new one....I'm sure some of the seperates dudes on here will chime in...you may also want to consider Outlaw Audio's products, many of the members on here love em, and they deal direct just like Axiom, no middle man

My personal experience has been that it's tremendously difficult to get a dealer to completely replace a unit. My Pioneer Elite DVD player was replaced with no questions asked because it simply stopped reading almost any disc I'd throw in it. But my Marantz receiver went through two repairs under warranty and was never replaced. The good news is by the second repair, the problem had become common and a service bulletin had been issued. Since then, zero problems. A bad input doesn't sound too awful -- if you like the piece, give it a shot. If, by this point, it's the sales/service people that are pissing you off, then perhaps it's time to just cut your losses and move on.

i bought an onkyo sp800 dvd threw a store. last christmas it just stopped working. had it for two months paid 1400 hundred cdn for it. took it back wanted it replaced they wouldn't. said they would fix it. Well two months later still didn't have a dvd player. Lost it. So then i had to fight for another two weeks to get a refund. got my money back, would have saved me time and effort if it was just replaced to began with. Seems like once you dish out the cash and its paid for they could care less.

Seeing the receiver is less than 30 days old I would either want a brand new one or I would get my money back and look some where else to spend my money.I had a Rotel amp go bad the first day I had it.I went to my dealer and he ordered me a new unit.If he would have told me they will fix it I would have wanted my money back there and then.On a side note the dealer gave me a loaner to use while the new amp was on order.

Thanks for the responses. If my dealer would have swapped it out I'd still be one very happy Rotel owner. I also planned to add to the setup by expanding with a 2 channel amp...and the manager knew this ahead of time as I spoke to him about my options. A week later I have a problem and they are not helping me out. It's disappointing. Any one else have any suggestions?

NAD is very good. I've had a NAD product before, their integrated amps are very well designed.

I'm surprised about Rotel. You'd think since they overprice a lot of their products their customer service would be decent. Nah. :/

Are you pretty sure the store really is an authorized Rotel dealer ? I would expect better treatment than that. Sorry to hear about your problems... but think how nice it will sound when it gets back.

It doesn't hurt to ask questions about how long it will take to get to the service depot and see if you can drop it off there yourself if it happens to be close. I find boxes tend to spend a lot of time sitting on a shelf in the back of the store before they get to the depot...

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You'd think since they overprice a lot of their products their customer service would be decent

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Just out of curiosity and in your opinion, what part of Rotel's product line is overpriced and why? Compared to?

well, I can only speak about the Nad T773 since I have had one for at least a month now.

It's a very good receiver. But, will it have the sound your looking for. I'd classify the NAD as a warm amp. From what I read, the Rotel is more of a bright amp. So, question is, will it have the sound your looking for.

Power wise, you don't have to worry. I can run the NAD at insane volumes for hours and it barely gets warm at all. Although, I have nothing above or around it for several feet so I have max ventilation.

I'm actually looking at trying a yamaha 4600 to replace it if it has the brighter/bassier sound I'm looking for. The 4600 is supposed to have a much upgraded amp section and is actually designed for 4 ohm speakers now with THX Certification.

But,I still think I'm nuts for trying a yammie over a Nad, but I can only test it in house to see. The yammie has a built in EQ so I'm hoping it'll give me the sound I'm looking for

I must say though for movies, it is very good. But for music I have a eq between the dvd player and NAD to get the sound I want. Best remote I've seen on a receiver yet too.

They are definitely an authorized dealer...I checked directly with Rotel before even purchasing. Another thing that upset me was they wouldn't give me a demo while mine is gone. Said "our shelves are pretty bare right now". So, I'm out of luck there too. All in all, I don't think I'm getting treated very well.

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I'm surprised about Rotel. You'd think since they overprice a lot of their products their customer service would be decent. Nah. :/

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There are quite a few Rotel owners on the board.This is the only time I can remember an owner saying they were not taken care of to their satisfaction.That's a mighty broad brush you like to use Thasp,mighty broad.Like with most of your opinions I find it amusing.

Kick, scream and make a scene...you know the noisy wheel most always gets the grease. Worth a try.

Good luck.

So after a month you're thinking of replacing with the Yammy...keep us posted if you do so, as I'd be interested to see how it goes. It looks like a very nice receiver, just wouldn't have thought about it over the NAD. Good luck with the in house testing, and let us know!

I agree Wid, I'm definitely in the minority as far as not being satisfied. I have heard nothing but good about their service...unfortunately I'm on the bad end of this situation!

Tomorrow I give the dealer the choice, they take the risk and fight it out with Rotel and give me a replacement, or I will ask for a refund and look into NAD or Arcam.
Does anyone have an opinion on Arcam? Also, any ideas for separates for about the 2K price range? I'll be running the 5.1 setup for a 5 channel amp would be in need.
I appreciate everyone's input. This is definitely the best A/V forum I've found!

actually I had the NAD for about an hour before looking for something else. I really didn't want to have to eq it to get the sound I was looking for.

It's been a month due to a port strike in Vancouver where all of Canada's 4600's were being held up. IT should be here this or next week though....I hope. I got a feeling I'm going to love the yamaha's features, hate the remote, like it's sound, and miss the power of the NAD. In an ideal world I'd just get a nad power amp and use the 4600 as a pre.

But until it gets it here, this is all speculation.

BrotherBob - I guess I'm going to have to go that route tomorrow unless the nice-guy attitude, which I always try first until failure, doesn't work!

I just went & listened to the Arcam yesterday and I must say that it lives up to it's reputation. I think that Moncrief's review was quite hyperbolic but it really is stunning for music. The dealer didn't have it hooked up in a HT setup, but I did give it quite a workout on 2-channel stuff. It was hooked up to Paradigm studio 20's and later a pair of Sig. 20's. I'm planning on getting one of them, or an AVP 700 in the future.

you can get the nad t163 proccessor for about 2000 grand canadain. integra dtc 9.4 is also a nice looking proccesor for around two grand. but needing a five or 7 channel amp with them 2000 grand is a little short. about four grand would get you started. check out aduiogon.com for some second hand stuff. Can get some nice equipment for not a bad price.

Don't give up your Rotel! I have read your thread on Club Rotel, I would suggest same thing that somebody else suggested there: return your receiver to the dealer (they must have a 30 day money back warranty!!!!), and get a brand new one from a different Rotel dealer.

As for Rotel just like Axiom: it provides the best bang for the buck: it is a step up from consumer market brands found on BB CC and Tweeter, etc...and it is cheaper than other high-end electronics.

Would it be possible to contact Rotel directly and express your frustration? Maybe you've already done that...

good luck, hope you get it all resolved soon.

Randy

http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/ra02.htm

That thing costs $500.

I don't care if it's uber hi-fi - I don't care if the case looks cool, or if there is any voodoo to it. 40 solid state watts per channel(it's light enough for me to believe that it doesn't go over 55) for $500 seems a tad high. They don't sell online, they don't even have a dealer in my city(you'd think NYC would have some rotel dealers). The fact that, in addition to this, you can't even get prices on their site(they tell you to email them) makes me cautious.

My HK surely isn't as cool looking. But it does have nice blue lights like the Rotel, 120 honest, quality wpc, and costs $250 less new, and $310 less refurbished.

Outlaw amps are quite cheaper also. I can't get a direct price since I don't remember those prices, and I don't feel like emailing Rotel.

Rotel does some good stuff in the upper amp class: I don't see NAD offering 380 watt amps. Yet in the "lower" end of the spectrum, their offers are far too expensive when you look at what they're offering IMO. I was just surprised that considering they are in the higher price class of equipment that they treated a customer as such. I'd expect this from HK, but not Rotel.

>>Said "our shelves are pretty bare right now". So, I'm out of luck there too. All in all, I don't think I'm getting treated very well.

Ouch. This sounds like a dealer going down the tubes. Make sure you get some kind of tracking number that will let you communicate directly with Rotel or whoever does the service.

I lost a rifle that way (dealer closed down while it was in for service) for almost two years. The Canadian government doesn't like it when you lose a rifle.

I agree with Sir Quack- Outlaw great value for the money. I have a 1050 and it sounds great. here is a link for there stuff.Outlaw
Read the reviews they are very interesting.

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They don't sell online, they don't even have a dealer in my city(you'd think NYC would have some rotel dealers).

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Name: INNOVATIVE AUDIO



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Name: LYRIC HI FI


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Name: STEREO EXCHANGE



These three dealers are in NYC.I got their names off the Rotel website.All ya have to do is look

And the story continues. I called the dealer this morning at 10, they said they'd call me back. Nothing...so I called them at 11:30, I got the lady who was supposed to call me. Told her how I wanted this resolved, she said she'd call me back. Nothing...so I called them again at 6pm and she left for the day. So...they didn't return ANY of my calls. All and all a bad day in that regard. I guess tomorrow it continues, again. Had to vent here...thanks for listening.

We're here for you...

Push for a refund even if they take a bit of a "restocking charge". This doesn't sound good...

sounds like my experince with the dvd player. Don't ya love playing phone tag. Phone them 4 times not to get a call back. sounds just like my ordeal. Just stick with it. bug the crap out of them. something well get done. I after weeks of the same thing just phoned the stores head office and that got things moving. within 3 days i got a refund. don't even bother with store manager go above him then there well be some progress.

The only dealer that showed up when I put in my zip code is as folllows. The other three you mentioned never showed up.

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Name: ULTRA HI FI
Address: 138-16 NORTHERN BLVD.
FLUSHING , NY
USA
11354
Phone: 718 461-4848
Web Site: www.ultrahifi.com

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This is very far away from me. It'd be a long road trip(over an hour or two).

Great news, the dealer came through and I'll have a new receiver in about a week. I definitely feel better about the situation now. I'm using a friends old Onkyo for now, but it's better than nothing. It'll make me appreciate my Rotel when I get it again! Thanks for all the kind replies!

Great to hear that Rotel is replacing yours! Thanks for following up on your thread and letting us know that problem was solved.

Well that sure is good news .I had a feeling Rotel would pull through for ya.They are known for good customer service.

Yes, both my dealer and Rotel pulled through for me, I'm very happy again! How I can start deciding which amp to buy to push my new M80ti's. I'm leaning towards the 1080...but if anyone has other opinions I'll take them!

I lost sight of my goal...to hold off on buying a 2 channel until Axiom releases their electronics...no 1080 for me until I see the Axiom line!

I thought, and correct me if I am wrong, that axiom was not releasing these new "electronics" until next year?

This is why I have up and got the nad.

Oh, and Neverhappy, I got at least another 2 weeks before the 4600 gets here...found out yesterday. I'm not happy Was looking forward to playing with it and comparing it to the NAD

That very well could be. I'm not in a rush so if it's 6 months or a year, I'm still going to wait. I will be saving up my money in the meantime! I'm guessing it will be worth my wait, at least I hope so!

I am in the same boat as you. I am thinking about getting a used Rotel/Parasound. So if I decide to sell it later I am sure it will not wind up costing me an arm and a leg. The new offering from Axiom will have the same 30 day home audition policy, I am sure it will have it because it is a new product from a company that has never offered seperate amplifiers before. If it is not what I like I can always send it back and not be out of pocket hardly anything. Hopefully it will have a 5 year warranty like the speakers and not the current 2 year warranty like the subwoofer amplifier. I think that would make buyers of the first units more comfortable.