Denon dra-397 vs. rotel rx-1052

[lariveedave]

I am considering a Denon dra-397 or a rotel rx-1052 for my new receiver and I am hoping someone can provide me with an educated opinion about this choice. My speakers are only bookshelf speakers - 2 B&W 685s in the family room and 2 outdoor klipsch speakers. I may add a couple more 685s in the future for my dining room. I know the rotel has a great reputation for fantastic sound but I think the rotel is overkill for these small speakers. Any thoughts on this matter?

Thanks

 

[j_garcia]

When it comes to amps there is almost no such thing as overkill. Your speakers will always be happy with too much power and it is more difficult to damage your speakers with more power rather than less. I think either one will do the job just fine and you can do the A/B thing with just 2 pairs, but 3 will require omething to handle the distribution to those speakers such as an impedance matching switch or impedance matching volume controls.

 

[Seth=L]

How much can you get each receiver for. If they are similarly priced the Rotel is the best choice by far.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I vote for the Rotel ALL THE WAY!
No contest. No such thing as overkill power. If I had my wish, I would get a 1,000 watts per channel Rotel amp.

 

[rnatalli]

Either of these are fine, although I'm partial to Rotel myself unless there was a large gap in price. To confuse things further, how about some Emotiva or Outlaw separates?

 

[lariveedave]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still a bit on the fence due to the price difference ($400 for the Denon and $800 for the Rotel). I am leaning toward the Rotel, despite the extra cost, because I think I will have and use this receiver for a long time. Plus, it sounds like the sound can't be beat.

LariveeDave

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm still a bit on the fence due to the price difference ($400 for the Denon and $800 for the Rotel). I am leaning toward the Rotel, despite the extra cost, because I think I will have and use this receiver for a long time. Plus, it sounds like the sound can't be beat.

LariveeDave

Not so much the sound. I like the overall appearance and build quality of the Rotel better, as well as the likelyhood it has more under the hood than the Denon.

 

[lariveedave]

Went with the Rotel 1052

I ordered the Rotel 1052 and expect to get it in a few days. I'll let you know how it sounds with the B&W 600 Series bookshelves. Thanks, Dave

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I ordered the Rotel 1052 and expect to get it in a few days. I'll let you know how it sounds with the B&W 600 Series bookshelves. Thanks, Dave

You did the absolute right thing! Congrats!