Rotel RX-1052 | Stereophile.com

Forums

2 replies [Last post]

Submitted By: j.a.cadet

member

Joined: Sep 30 2008

Posts:

Rotel RX-1052

Posted: September 30, 2008 - 10:56am

Hey guys,

I'm new here and planning to make my own stereo system. At the age of 18, I don't have much money to spend so i cant really go all out, im just looking to have something that i could expand on. So far i have decided to get the Paradigm S2 speakers.

To keep cost down i want to get an integrated amp and was interested a few that were reviewed on this site, like the Cayin A-50T, Musical Fidelity X-T100, and NAD C 372

But i spoke to someone at a local store and was recommended the Rotel RX-1052. I wanted to know if any of you guys have had experience with it and how you felt about it, or if you had any other recommendations that would suit me better. Also if you guys could recommend a subwoofer lol.

Thanks in advance,
James

Submitted By: mrlowry

member

Location: Chicago, IL

Joined: May 30 2006

Posts:

Re: Rotel RX-1052

Posted: September 30, 2008 - 6:16pm

A receiver is three products built into one box:

Tuner-Either AM/FM or just FM.
Preamplifier-Offers source switching and volume control
Amplifier-Drives the speakers

An integrated amplifier is a receiver minus the tuner.

The Rotel RX-1052 is a great receiver, by far the best stereo receiver I have ever heard that is on the market today and I don't say that lightly. Part of that is due to the fact the high-end companies don't like to build receivers (partly for performance reasons, but at least partially because of image issues.) Some people find Rotel a little "bright" (meaning that they feel it has a little too much high frequency information in the sound.) But others would feel that the NAD are too "warm" (a little too rolled off in the high frequencies.) I've recommended the 1052 to many friends and the ones who took my advise never regretted it.

Submitted By: mrlowry

member

Location: Chicago, IL

Joined: May 30 2006

Posts:

Re: Rotel RX-1052

Posted: September 30, 2008 - 6:38pm

I'd recommend looking at a REL subwoofer. Their ability to expand the soundstage is remarkable. They integrate more seamlessly than any other sub I've heard. When properly set up the sub is not a source of audible sound, it just sounds like the left/right speakers have had a major increase in bass extension. Of course that sounds like a description of what ALL subs do, unfortunately they don't. RELs are the perfect sub for those who want musical bass, that perfectly matches what a great speaker can produce.