Rotel RA-01 X NAD C320BEE for B&W DM600S3

[allanpkkk]

Hi people, I'd like to know the best integrate amplifier ($300~$400) for the DM600S3 bookshelfs!

I have two amplifiers in mind

Rotel RA-01
http://europe.rotel.com/products/specs/ra01.htm

NAD C320BEE
http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_amplifiers/C320BEE_framset.htm

Thanks for all!

 

[allanpk]

Nobody?????

[]
Allan

 

[merv43]

Personaly I thing either one would be great with your speakers, buy the way they are very good sounding speakers! Can you by chance get them both home to compare?

 

[j_garcia]

6 of one, half dozen of the other. I agree, either would probably be great. (I know that doesn't exactly help).

 

[The13thGryphon]

I too agree that either integrated is a great little unit, and you would very likely be happy either way. However, were I making that choice with that set of speakers, I'd choose the NAD.

Personally, I think the character of the sound of the NAD will work better with the tube-loaded metal dome tweeter in the DM600 S3's. The NAD will very slightly emphasize the upper bass and midrange, and smooth the highest registers. It adds just a slight degree of warmth to the sound of the music. That is a desirable combination to my ears.

The Rotel is a great little unit, and if you want energy and drive, then it might be more to your taste. It would also probably work better if you're into thumpin', screamin' rock or techno. To me the Rotel sounds like it has more emphasis in the higher frequencies. This is probably not actually any real emphasis, it's motr likely that it's really more accurate and flatter... but as it does not bump up the frequencies in the upper bass and mid's like the NAD, the highs come across as more "up front"... if you follow.

That's my two cents worth, anyway. Make your choice based upon your musical and personal preferences.

 

[allanpk]

I too agree that either integrated is a great little unit, and you would very likely be happy either way. However, were I making that choice with that set of speakers, I'd choose the NAD.

Personally, I think the character of the sound of the NAD will work better with the tube-loaded metal dome tweeter in the DM600 S3's. The NAD will very slightly emphasize the upper bass and midrange, and smooth the highest registers. It adds just a slight degree of warmth to the sound of the music. That is a desirable combination to my ears.

The Rotel is a great little unit, and if you want energy and drive, then it might be more to your taste. It would also probably work better if you're into thumpin', screamin' rock or techno. To me the Rotel sounds like it has more emphasis in the higher frequencies. This is probably not actually any real emphasis, it's motr likely that it's really more accurate and flatter... but as it does not bump up the frequencies in the upper bass and mid's like the NAD, the highs come across as more "up front"... if you follow.

That's my two cents worth, anyway. Make your choice based upon your musical and personal preferences.

Gryphon, Thanks for the help! I read another article about NAD telling that they are great!
And NAD has another advantage, it's easier to find here in Atlanta!

Well, I made up my mind!

Thanks!

 

[mike c]

you've made up your mind already? but the rotel unit looks nicer! hehe

 

[Jeff Johnson]

I have the Rotel RA-01 in a bedroom system and have been very pleased with it. It seems bulletproof. I have even use it to drive a pair of Thiels with good results. The sound is quite good and even at just 40 wpc, I have never felt that it is underpowered.
I'm not as familiar with the NAD but haven't heard much bad about them. I think that there were some quality issues years ago but I understand that they are behind them now. One good thing about the NAD is the remote if that's important to you. If you want the Rotel with a remote, you have to step up to the RA-02 which I think runs $150 more (Approx. $500).
I don't think that you could go wrong either way.
Good luck and enjoy.
Jeff

 

[kelly]

I may be wrong but I think rotel, and B&W our owned by the same company. There is a store here in Indianapolis that sells nothing but rotel,b&w, and I have been there several time to listen, and the combination sounds great together.

 

[mike c]

they're not owned by the same company, but they do have a marketing tie-up. personally, I think it works. people like to go to a place where everything they need is there. instead of researching what sounds good with what, the stores that carry both can already demo how good these two products are in combo.