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

What would be the biggest difference between these two, besides the fact that the Rotel is double the price of the HK? They seem somewhat similar spec-wise. What is the warranty on the HK?
Thanks in advance!

Shane D

Save your money. Everything I see made by Rotel is 2x the price of what other, equally specced gear is. The HK has an oddly high amount of distortion into 4 ohms(0.2%, compared to the usual 0.04%-0.08%), but if that worries you go for another stereo receiver/integrated amp that would put out the same/more amount of power than the rotel for half the price.

In reply to:

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The HK has an oddly high amount of distortion into 4 ohms(0.2%, compared to the usual 0.04%-0.08%)

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That should be a nonissue for him running the M60s.The HK 3480 is a steal of a receiver for what it is going for.A friend of mine has one and it is a fine peice of gear.I do like my Rotel amp but if I had to choose between the $299 HK or the $900 Rotel I do beleive I would give the HK a very serious look.

The 4 ohms may not be an issue right now, but I would like to be able to upgrade if the mood strikes me. So with Rotel, you are just paying for the name?

Shane D

I wouldn't say you will be paying more for the Rotel name.The Rotel has better build quality and few more features than than HK does.I have seen both and the Rotel is by far a nicer looking ( imo ) and beter built unit.I would still give the HK a look as it is a heck of a deal.

I would really suggest buying Rotel, it will be a major shift in your audio preferences, it is actually considered as entry level to high end audio, a step from major consumer electronic brands. Since the first time I heard its sound I was hooked!! and look at me now: I have three Rotel pieces and am so happy.. Great sound, and hey!! great looks!!!

I asked an Axiom person for a comparison. He said that the Rotel piece is definitely better than the HK. He also called the HK piece an HT. Not sure what that means, and I am waiting for a reply.

Shane D

It is all about what you can afford.

Fair enough. I am looking at this as a long term investment. For the difference of a few hundred dollars, I would get the better piece, if I thought it was worth it. I am thinking/hoping that this unit will last for a lot of years.

Shane D

Shane,

As already mentioned, it’s all about how much pain you can endure when you write the check. If you really are into the long haul and don’t plan on upgrading every couple years or so, then I would be looking at separates. With separates, you can keep the amps and tuner for twenty years. As technology changes and you just have to have the latest and greatest new sound processor, all you will need to upgrade will be the pre-amp/processor. This will definitely cost more than buying a receiver, of any make for that matter, but you will have a set up that will put a smile on your face every time you turn it on. And in five years or so, buy a new processor and put the one you’re replacing on eBay or audiogon. You’d be surprised at how well high end gear holds it value. I certainly was when I was considering used gear…….

Rotel is definitely more expensive than the main stream brands, but they are not overly priced when you start looking at other manufactures of the same build quality, power capabilities and similar warrantees. (Rotel has a five year warrantee by the way). You won’t see that with Dennon, Yamaha, HK, Pioneer, etc…

NAD and the entry level Parasound line are both neck and neck with Rotel. All three are considered entry level HI-FI. The next step up will be double in cost. Take a look at the Parasound Halo line, Krell, McIntosh, Bryson, Sunfire, ……..the list goes on and on and on. After you start looking at these manufactures and their prices, you will very quickly see that Rotel is anything other than one heck of a bargain.

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……………

drew, wid and others:

I went to the rotel website and there was something about rotel not selling over the internet and through e-tailers.

How/ where did you buy your rotel equipment?

Just curious.

The Rat.

I also await the answer.

Only authorized stores for Rotel, no online dealers whatsoever!!! Check Rotel website for authorized sellers near you. You can buy used as well, through audiogon and ebay, but of course have to take the risk associated with used items too.

Hey! I bought THYNAME"S Rotel RX-1052!!! (Thanks again, Skerdi!) It's a sweety. Built like a cement block and sounds great. If you can afford it, get it and enjoy!

Not gonna' happen. I usually don't buy anything big on line. The 60's were the biggest purchase that I ever made on line, sight unseen. With the new addition, I will buy locally. The top two contenders both have dealers in my area. More time on the phone today, and I have it narrowed down to two:
NAD C372/C422 or Rotel. Will decide this weekend.
Thanks for the advice!

Shane D

No on line Rotel dealers that I could find. Had to buy local, well 300 miles away local. But this is Alaska, nothing is close by.

My preference is for the NAD set-up. Again 50 more watts is 50 more watts. I think the NAD sound, which I like better is "creamy smooth & rich". The Rotel is like that but not quite, maybe a little electronic on the top end. I don't particularly like my C422 tuner ONLY because you have to twist the big dial to select a station instead of pressing buttons.

I guess that in Alaska, 300 miles is "close?" LOL!!

Turns out that there is a Rotel dealer here in town. Went by there yesterday afternoon.

The Rat.

Anchorage is the hub where rural Alaskan residents go to shop for things not found in smaller town stores. It's about 300 miles away from Valdez (where I live). But Valdez is probably the most beautiful place in Alaska. It's like living in a national park. Plus, I hate traffic, but enjoy the ability to leave from my driveway on my snowmachine or dirt bike to go play. And we don’t have to worry about locking doors, or keeping a real close eye on the kids here either.

The power thing has definitely got my attention, even though it is probably overkill. Their tuner is VERY expensive. They don't even stock them. They recommend just getting a Yamaha, which will save about $150.00.
Don't you just have all your stations preset? I thought you could just push a button, or use the remote?

Shane D

Well, I have to admit I'm not a remote kind of guy because the system is in a room off to the side and around a corner so the remote won't work. Yes it has presets but you have to twist the dial to step through them not push a button on the face of the unit. The remote does allow more flexibility. Ya know, any good tuner will work. I also, have on older Yamaha RX-595 receiver and it's tuner section is very easy to use. I suppose they use a similar set up with there tuner units.

I think that I will be looking at a Yamaha tuner. I am almost positive that I wil be going with NAD 372.
Thanks again for the input.

Shane D