Rotel or Outlaw

[ParadigmDawg]

Rotel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[majorloser]

I guess the big thing I'm missing here is how much money are we talking about for the Rotel? The five Outlaw amps is still $1,324 plus shipping.

Here's the review that Clint did quite a few years ago on the Rotel RMB-1095
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/amplifiers/rotel-rmb-1095

I wouldn't even think about kicking Emotiva out. They make some damn nice amplifiers. Right now they're having a sale on the XPA-3 (3x 200WPC) amplifier on sale for $499 with $25 flat rate shipping. Then just add the XPA-2 (2x 250WPC) for $799 with $25 flat rate shipping.
http://emotiva.com/xpa3.shtm
http://emotiva.com/xpa2.shtm

They are currently out of stock on the XPA-5. They are due with more stock in February. It goes for $799.
http://emotiva.com/xpa5.shtm

Then there's aways the forgotten Gemstone Audio.
http://www.gemstoneaudio.com/amplifiers/

 

[jostenmeat]

I guess the big thing I'm missing here is how much money are we talking about for the Rotel? The five Outlaw amps is still $1,324 plus shipping.

Interesting point/question. The way I see it, Outlaws are typically going for $225 used/asking. Then they usually sell within 3 days. You can even search the classifieds just here at AH, and you'll see what I'm saying.

That means PSW could use these for a couple of years, then sell them at $225 apiece, 3 years of warranty left and usuable by purchaser, and PSW would be out a whole whopping $199. These seem to hold value very well.

 

[majorloser]

Interesting point/question. The way I see it, Outlaws are typically going for $225 used/asking. Then they usually sell within 3 days. You can even search the classifieds just here at AH, and you'll see what I'm saying.

That means PSW could use these for a couple of years, then sell them at $225 apiece, 3 years of warranty left and usuable by purchaser, and PSW would be out a whole whopping $199. These seem to hold value very well.

But you could almost buy two Emotiva XPA-5 for the price of the new Outlaw amps. Also, unless that used Rotel amp is less than the XPA-5 $799, I wouldn't even think about it.

FWIW - B&K hold their value pretty well too. But I'll never buy another one of them again.

 

[audion3wb]

Sounds to me that the Rotel would be the better way to go because as others said its cleaner. That and Rotel makes great gear. Personally I wouldnt want to deal with 5 monoblocks unless I had an A/V "closet" and was running all my wires through the walls so you couldnt see that mess of amps. Its not like you would be stacking up high end amps or tube amps that have asthetic appeal here.


As far as Emotiva goes, I own and love my Emo. If I were in your shoes I would buy an Emo. As far as people having bad customer service is concerned I would say every company in the world no matter how great that company is has pissed off a handful of people somehow or another. If you want to buy products from a company that has never had an unsatisfied customer you aren't going to find one.

That being said, I say buy an emo, but between your listed options. Id take the Rotel.

 

[PSWii60]

Thanks for everyone's input. Rotel seems like the leader in reliability and satisfaction, but the Emo's?.......Well I'll just have to think about it. Although an XPA-5 running my front stage (LCR) would give me 250WPC, and adding an XPA-2 would give me another 2x250 for the rear channels, and If I ever want an amp in my living area for 2 channel stereo I could move the XPA-2 downstairs and just run the XPA-5 at all five channels..............("you follow me camera guy"?) The more I think about what to get the harder it is to decide

 

[bigred7078]

Thanks for everyone's input. Rotel seems like the leader in reliability and satisfaction, but the Emo's?.......Well I'll just have to think about it. Although an XPA-5 running my front stage (LCR) would give me 250WPC, and adding an XPA-2 would give me another 2x250 for the rear channels, and If I ever want an amp in my living area for 2 channel stereo I could move the XPA-2 downstairs and just run the XPA-5 at all five channels..............("you follow me camera guy"?) The more I think about what to get the harder it is to decide

No no no, you would use the Emotiva XPA-2 for your main Left/Right. Its has a much better capacity than the XPA-5, the specs are similar but that means nothing.

So what exactly have you heard bad about emotiva? Honestly the issues have been pretty isolated. And those that are skeptical to begin with if they have an issue or just dont like definately have to make sure everyone knows...lol

 

[PSWii60]

No no no, you would use the Emotiva XPA-2 for your main Left/Right. Its has a much better capacity than the XPA-5, the specs are similar but that means nothing.

I agree, but if I did that would my center lack in comparison to the mains?

 

[Adam]

Honestly the issues have been pretty isolated. And those that are skeptical to begin with if they have an issue or just dont like definately have to make sure everyone knows...lol

Not always true, IMO. I left the forum for six months instead of staying on here and complaining about it. I know of two others here that barely speak of their poor experiences. I really only started saying anything after others expressed their dissatisfaction and I felt more comfortable talking about it here.

The two people that I know about and I are not newbies that just joined to bad mouth Emotiva. I figure if two friends and I have all experienced poor quality control and customer service, that's not isolated. I wonder how many people have the same experience but either don't say it here or aren't members.

However, I know that others here have had great experiences - because they talk about it. I believe that both sides should be known to someone who is assessing the costs, benefits, and risks of a purchase like this. So, I'll mention my experiences to give people more of the story. I hope that everyone has a great experience with them from now on. I have no animosity for Emotiva, but I will never buy from them again or recommend them to anyone. I hope that they enjoy success, but I also hope that they don't treat anyone else the way that they treated me.

 

[bigred7078]

I agree, but if I did that would my center lack in comparison to the mains?

not if everything was properly level matched


for HT you probably wouldn't notice a difference anyway

 

[bigred7078]

Not always true, IMO. I left the forum for six months instead of staying on here and complaining about it. I know of two others here that barely speak of their poor experiences. I really only started saying anything after others expressed their dissatisfaction and I felt more comfortable talking about it here.

The two people that I know about and I are not newbies that just joined to bad mouth Emotiva. I figure if two friends and I have all experienced poor quality control and customer service, that's not isolated. I wonder how many people have the same experience but either don't say it here or aren't members.

However, I know that others here have had great experiences - because they talk about it. I believe that both sides should be known to someone who is assessing the costs, benefits, and risks of a purchase like this. So, I'll mention my experiences to give people more of the story. I hope that everyone has a great experience with them from now on. I have no animosity for Emotiva, but I will never buy from them again or recommend them to anyone. I hope that they enjoy success, but I also hope that they don't treat anyone else the way that they treated me.

whatever floats your boat man

All your doing is speculating. You assume because you kept quiet that many others must be too. Like has been said MANY times...you can experience horrible service from Rotel, NAD, Marantz, Cambridge, Denon, Integra or whoever else, its just bound to happen. But its impossible to argue that the VAST majority of people have had amazing experiences with their products and especially customer service. Its what they have become known for.

and to counterpoint your wondering of how many keep quiet about issues...well the same thing can be said about those who have an awesome experience. In reality very few people make posts about anything. I know 4 people personally that own emotiva gear but have NEVER made one post online about them and how much they enjoy them. I have personally owned 7 different pieces of emotiva gear and have never had one problem with any of them. I even had the LMC-1 which did have its share of problems, but it never affected my viewing experience. Heck out of all the new receivers that were released this year, EVERY single one was buggy and had issues. I think emotiva represents amazing value, and incredible performance.

I do respect your opinion though and sympathize for whatever issues you had with them. Its sad to see that when many people have had the best customer service experience they well...ever had.

 

[walter duque]

[

QUOTE=PSWii60;505611]A USED Rotel 1095

OR
4 NEW Outlaw 2200 Monoblocks
(the reason I say four is because if you buy 4 you get the fifth one free)

Oh, I almost forgot....driving Paradigm Studio 100's and CC-690[/QUOTE

]

I know it's Outlaw or Rotel. I myself would buy used: Sunfire, B&K. Bryston or Cinepro.
To me buying used you get so much more bang for the buck. I have sold equipment in new condition for a fraction of original cost, I also bought stuff of Audiogon that was like brand new out of the box. For $1000.-- to $1500.00 you can get a great highend amp. Amps don't change much, not like processors.

 

[Adam]

All your doing is speculating. You assume because you kept quiet that many others must be too.

No, I don't. I said that I wonder if that's the case. I don't assume it is.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

My MPS1 offers an incredible performance at an amazing value as long as I don't touch it. If I touch it the chassis flexes and it makes the optical isolators fry which seems to give me less channels then I paid for. No matter how many times I send it back, it does this and I find the CS to be very poor.

I am glad some of you have had luck with EMO but I will never buy one again.

I think emotiva represents amazing value, and incredible performance.

 

[bigred7078]

My MPS1 offers an incredible performance at an amazing value as long as I don't touch it. If I touch it the chassis flexes and it makes the optical isolators fry which seems to give me less channels then I paid for. No matter how many times I send it back, it does this and I find the CS to be very poor.

I am glad some of you have had luck with EMO but I will never buy one again.

again thats why only the 7-channel versions are available now. So the weight is evenly distributed throughout the chassis.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Well, it sure isn't my fault that they offered me a 3 ch. version. They should have offered to buy mine back once they knew this was an issue vs. playing like they were fixing it and then waiting a month and a half to send it back after they told me the turn around would be 24 hours. Calling into them and leaving voice mails resulted in nothing, not even a returned call. Once I got a hold of someone the answer to my question of "why did it take so long" was "Don't know".

again thats why only the 7-channel versions are available now. So the weight is evenly distributed throughout the chassis.

 

[bigred7078]

Well, it sure isn't my fault that they offered me a 3 ch. version. They should have offered to buy mine back once they knew this was an issue vs. playing like they were fixing it and then waiting a month and a half to send it back after they told me the turn around would be 24 hours. Calling into them and leaving voice mails resulted in nothing, not even a returned call. Once I got a hold of someone the answer to my question of "why did it take so long" was "Don't know".

couldnt tell ya bro, maybe thats when they were under AV123, lots of different people dealt with things, but if not then who knows. But situations like this happen with every company, excuse? no, but its not like many people dont go through similar things from MANY other companies. Like i said, the majority of people have excellent customer service/reviews and thats what they have become known for...must be a reason for it. If they were really that bad at customer service...the opposite would be said.

Wouldnt be a company without a few complaints

sorry you had issues.

P.S-
Actually now that i think about it, they sold the smaller channel versions when the company was under AV123. That explains the bad customer service

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I was dealing with the same Lonnie that is there now.

P.S-
Actually now that i think about it, they sold the smaller channel versions when the company was under AV123. That explains the bad customer service

 

[bigred7078]

I was dealing with the same Lonnie that is there now.

Well not sure what to tell ya. He is about one of the nicest people i have dealt with and i have NEVER heard anyone say he was bad at CS....

look at this for example. Lonnie did an incredibly generous thing for this gentleman.

http://emotivalounge.proboards54.com/index.cgi?board=amps&action=display&thread=166&page=1


As far as your experience...not sure. I dont know you, but you could have say came at him with attitude right away, anyone will respond to this less and you may have seen it as crappy service. But who knows. Thats all between you and Emo

My suggestion for anyone wanting to know how their customer service is first hand....just GIVE THEM A CALL... right away you will see how friendly and helpful they are.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

I get a strong feeling your work for EMO......

couldnt tell ya bro, maybe thats when they were under AV123, lots of different people dealt with things, but if not then who knows. But situations like this happen with every company, excuse? no, but its not like many people dont go through similar things from MANY other companies. Like i said, the majority of people have excellent customer service/reviews and thats what they have become known for...must be a reason for it. If they were really that bad at customer service...the opposite would be said.

Wouldnt be a company without a few complaints

sorry you had issues.

P.S-
Actually now that i think about it, they sold the smaller channel versions when the company was under AV123. That explains the bad customer service