A GREAT AMPLIFIER to Get Started in HIFI - ROTEL A11 MKII Review

📌 Thank you for watching our review of the ROTEL A11 MK2! Considering the A11? Find it → bit.ly/3Qk5Egx For everything else, open the description below! 😀 If you enjoyed this video, please hit the 👍 Like button! 🆘 Need help? Hit the 🖤 THANKS☝️ to HIGHLIGHT your Question + show appreciation for the help you receive!
📌 SHOP ROTEL AMPLIFIERS
Rotel A11 MKII bit.ly/3Qk5Egx
Rotel A11 Tribute bit.ly/3wAcZgx
Rotel RAS-5000 bit.ly/3tTWe3g
📌 COMPARABLE AMPLIFIERS
Yamaha S801 bit.ly/2WSZjzG
NAD C316BEE V2 bit.ly/2M32Qq6
Cambridge Audio AXA35 amzn.to/331f5bJ
Audiolab 6000A amzn.to/3iu04at
Cambridge Audio AXR100 bit.ly/3e6GMWX
Yamaha 1000A bit.ly/3rBZT4x
Rotel A11 Tribute bit.ly/3wAcZgx
📌 TESTING THE ROTEL A11 TRIBUTE MK II
SPEAKERS
Sonus Faber Lumina II bit.ly/3QlTiCR
Q Acoustic Concept 50 bit.ly/3Ha2ya0
Klipsch Cornwall IV bit.ly/3Lg3HMR
SVS Titans bit.ly/4dcdylQ
SUBWOOFER
KEF bit.ly/3U5kBVP
TVs
SONY 98” TV bit.ly/3Nd7LkL
SOURCES
Apple 4K TV: amzn.to/3em0YUp
Eversolo A8 DAC bit.ly/3TFIGRZ
Audio Technica Turntable amzn.to/33OfgXO
Ortofon LVB amzn.to/3zcPqKM
Ortofon Blue bit.ly/OrtBlue
iPhone bit.ly/3Q4G4Mw
MEDIA
Natalie Imbruglia Special Edition vinyl bit.ly/44DSC3u
SPEAKERS STANDS, CABLES & ACCESSORIES
Our Stands bit.ly/3I9Xa5W
My Cables: custom, n/a for purchase
Similar DIY Cables: bit.ly/3uytNrV
Interconnects: bit.ly/3D314M8, bit.ly/3N6NBri
Cable Management amzn.to/3ZcunWP • amzn.to/3GJtf5C
DIAGNOSTICS
Measurement & Evaluation Tools bit.ly/3MsYzpR
Room EQ Tools bit.ly/3LtKjz3
📌 A GREAT AMPLIFIER to Get Started in HIFI - ROTEL A11 MKII Review
00:00 ROTEL A11 MKII REVIEW
00:21 A11 MKII SPECS, DESIGN, CONNECTIVITY AND INPUTS
02:07 SETUP, CONTROL AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
03:18 ROTEL A11 v2 SOUND QUALITY
05:31 BUILT-IN DAC & PHONO STAGE
07:04 WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED
08:21 ROTEL A11 MKII vs YAMAHA S801
08:56 ROTEL A11 MKII vs CLASS D AMPS
09:50 ROTEL A11 MKII vs AUDIOLAB 6000A
10:44 ROTEL A11 MKII vs CAMBRIDGE AXR100
11:27 ROTEL A11 MKII vs YAMAHA R-N1000A
11:57 ROTEL A11 TRIBUTE vs ROTEL A11 MK II
📌 OUR HIFI AND HOME THEATER RECs FOR 2024
SPEAKERS STANDS, CABLES & ACCESSORIES
Our Stands bit.ly/3I9Xa5W
My Cables: custom, n/a for purchase
Similar DIY Cables: bit.ly/3uytNrV
Interconnects: bit.ly/3D314M8, bit.ly/3N6NBri
Cable Management amzn.to/3ZcunWP • amzn.to/3GJtf5C
POWER
Yamaha ($$) bit.ly/3RGwr6d ($) bit.ly/3RLCIPT
LOUDSPEAKERS
Focal ($) bit.ly/3KpemqE
Q Acoustics ($$) bit.ly/406YIoU
KEF ($$$) bit.ly/3A72HY4
TURNTABLE & DAC/STREAMER
TT2 bit.ly/3tWwdxd
Z8 bit.ly/44e0h6P
TVs
QLED: bit.ly/44htvlo
BIG: bit.ly/47xtPhI
HOME THEATER
Receiver: bit.ly/3DyHEjb
Soundbar: bit.ly/43OfVWi ($) bit.ly/3N5KhxG ($$)
In Ceiling Speakers: bit.ly/3I3gAbg
📌 SHOP OUR LIVING ROOM
SONY 98” TV bit.ly/3Nd7LkL
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💰VIDEO AND CHANNEL DISCLOSURES
FTC DISCLOSURE: This video IS NOT SPONSORED.
OUR REVIEW POLICY: We are never paid for our reviews or for “our time.” Brands do not see a review before it’s published, and they have no say in its outcome.
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#rotel #amplifier #hifireview

[@robinsonbrand]

😀Thank you for watching! If you enjoyed this video, please hit the 👍Like button! 📌Considering the ROTEL? Find one here bit.ly/3Qk5Egx 🔌Still want more? Catch up on all the latest UNPLUGGED episodes here bit.ly/43NnDkT 🙏 Please stay on topic and be respectful. 🚫No links, self-promotion, or personal info.

[@DPSingh-px4xu]

Sound quality...not features....Rotel has been up to that for decades ..nice one Andrew

[@minyuan86]

Hello from Singapore. Its midnight here

[@robinsonbrand]

Thanks for staying up late with us!

[@connorduke4619]

Well done, you are one of the very few reviewers who reviews Rotel amps! Which imo are at or close to class leading at every price point. Right up to the amazing Rotel P5/S5 combo which can hold its own against any amp I have heard to date.

[@user-ej3ii8zm2b]

Good morning Andrew and Kristi. Another good review. Rotel’s always seem to get the important basics right even if they lack a feature here or there. Something appealing about these more stripped down sort of old school integrated amps. Keep up the great work. Thanks.

[@JeffreyForner]

My ears perked up when you said that the Apple TV remote stopped working with it after a few days. I've had this happen before with my own audio gear (an Integra AV Receiver and a Paradigm soundbar). It's possible this can be fixed by restarting the remote. On the most recent models, you can do this by holding the Home and Volume Down buttons for five seconds until the indicator light on the Apple TV remote blinks. Release the buttons and wait for the "Connection Lost" message to appear on screen. Then wait for the remote to boot up. When the "Connected" notification appears, you should be able to use the remote again (you may need to press the Back or Home buttons to wake up the remote) with the volume controls on your amp/receiver. I don't know if this would fix the issue in this instance, but it has worked for me several times. This is good to know if you can't use HDMI CEC to control your devices for whatever reason.

[@totalplonker824]

Very thoughtful of you to go ahead and relay this information. Thank you, I'll remember this one. If it's been a couple of days since I've turned on the Apple TV, I tend to go its settings and clicking on the restart. It only takes less than a minute, and yet, going through this procedure, one is unlikely to experience any glitches.

[@marklloyd5275]

Another great video in the can from you and Kristi . This was so fun . I love my 1592 MKII you guys showed me too. I love my A8 for streaming with it connected to a Topping DX9 for its ability to connect to anything cable wise with headphones . The Rotel powers my 700s you guys showed me and I fell in love with. But what a great review and your perspective to go with it is awsome at showing its abilities and usefulness ,also its abilities like lack of HDMI. I cant wait to see what you guys bring to the table for us all next . ❤

[@lonniefarmer7067]

Finally got my computer running so late but helping the algo's with a post! Have a great time!

[@tacofortgens3471]

Hello from The Netherlands👋👍 always enjoy your videos

[@maxpower78-15]

Cool! Happy sunday!

[@mrtyrang]

I like that the volume button has a light which helps when watching movies or listening to music at night.

[@erichudson3307]

Nice review as always...cheers!

[@robinsonbrand]

Appreciate that!

[@randolphblack2554]

Excellent dissertation, Andrew and Kristi! I was looking at an integrated amp from NAD or Rotel because I wanted a tape loop. But then I ran across an HDMI audio extractor to feed signal to my cassette deck which I can use with my Yamaha A760 with an Audio input to give me a tape loop. I still like the height of the Rotel and NAD integrated amps and if I purchase a turntable and discover that my AVR phono input is lacking then I shall be looking for an integrated amp and pre-outs to feed my AVR. Thank you for making my Sundays more enjoyable. Live long and prosper.

[@GalacticoBernabeu]

thanks for the video!! I hope to see you review the B&W 705 S3 Signature :D

[@s.daniel9224]

Great review. Thanks! For me, on integrated, musical fidelity. Sooooo good.

[@pbford71]

Seems like a nice integrated amp to start with or as a desktop solution. I need to replace my over the hill AVR first but I may take a look at this or the Tribute for other applications. Thanks for a good review as always Andrew.

[@user-mz6lt2pr9s]

Thanks for the review. I have had a positive experience with my Rotel separates. Rotel’s power ratings are real and I can tell when I need to push my Arendal 1723 towers which crave good clean power. They have nicely driven other towers and bookshelves including B&W and KEF. Rotel for the win!

[@gin-73]

Great review! My A14 MKII is on it's way. Hopefully it will pair well with my B&W 606 S3...

[@JeffHeon]

I enjoyed this video a lot! Firstly, I didn’t know about the possibility of the Apple TV remote to learn the IR volume codes of an amplifier. It changes how I used to consider HDMI as mandatory. Secondly, the information about the noise floor is golden. I was considering Sourcepoint 8 with this Rotel, but now I might consider a different combination. Thank you!

[@josefserf1926]

More good work from Mr Robinson. How many other reviewers would even hint that perceived amplifier differences might be due to difficult loudspeaker impedances?

[@neilfisher7999]

About 6 or 7 years ago, I bought a Rotel A14 display model from a local dealer and got it for about the price of today's A 11. That was a great little amp. I imagine the A 11 is pretty similar. For most people, an amp like this is plenty to do to the job. I thought the Rotel was a very crisp, clean sounding amp. Definitely not fatiguing to listen to. Just a pleasant no frills amp.

[@andrewswright]

You talked about the Rotel as a great entry into Hifi. Totally agree. I have the original A11 tribute, which is fantastic and really got me back into 2 channel listening. Now starting to feel the pull to upgrade, and I think that getting into Room EQ wizard and PEQ curves is probably the next step. Based on your review, I'm thinking about the Eversolo DMP-A8 as a pre-amp/streamer. Would the A11 still be ok serving just as an amp? How much would I realistically have to spend on an amp to notice a significant sonic upgrade vs the A11 and any suggestions if I go that route? I listen at reasonable (i.e. not crazy loud) volumes, wide variety of music. As an aside, really appreciate the channel. As I've gotten back into audio it's really helped me understand what to listen for and look for in music and how to tweak my setup, even with the equipment I already have. It's a great balance between the purely measurement folks and the totally subjective.

[@paulkelleway8032]

Rotel have always been solid, no nonsense products. I used to do marketing for B&W speakers (in the early 2000’s) and in their factory reception they always had a rotel integrated amp driving a pair of their floor standers as background music. I always remember thinking to myself “that little rotel is doing a great job”.

[@robinsonbrand]

Oh I remember going to CES and CEDIA in the early 2000s and always seeing Rotel and B&W exhibiting in the same room or booth. Either Rotel or Classe. This was before Sound United when I believe all those brands along with McIntosh and Snell (if memory serves) fell under DM Holdings.

[@Biscayne1]

@@robinsonbrand I have the Snell K.5s and have been watching your videos in my search for an amp to drive them.

[@vincentpedalino618]

I can confirm that the NADc316bee is a steal!! Im running with a Node 2i, and PSB alpha towers. I want for very little!

[@ChadBlanchard23]

Thanks! That was great.

[@usonian11]

Excellent review with a lot of practical advice, especially in the comparisons portion of the review.

[@robinsonbrand]

So glad you found it useful! Thanks for watching!

[@rogerreynolds7292]

You mentioned d the AXA35 as a possible lower cost alternative to the Rotel. Could you say more about how these two units compare?

[@06ghoward]

Nice turntable. Are you guys headed back out to hit up record shows again? Those videos made me smile.

[@Brett1334]

Great video as always guys, one for the unplugged video maybe, but could you touch upon the tone controls and the adjustments they make? Is it quite a smooth slope or does it really make a difference? I find some Amps tone controls work more drastically than others.

[@ethangibbs5251]

Long time viewer here. It felt strange not having Christie's take in this one haha. Haven't tried the Mkii but after living with the tribute for a couple of years I'm not surprised you think so highly of this one. Properly good value pieces of equipment.

[@robinsonbrand]

I hope you join us today at 1PM Pacific for our live show.

[@DeMorcan]

I liked the Tribute preout for a sub. But sold it to get a Parasound with bass managaement and the high pass filter for the main amp. Rotel just had that clear detailed soundstage and imaging that I miss.

[@dodpr]

If I have to use a word to describe the flow of this review, would be Organic. I even felt relax watching it. Thanks.

[@shaunrichards744]

I do get it why Rotel don't include a HDMI connection. It's a dedicated two channel amp that's why they at least include optical and coaxial connector. Also Rotel focus on the A series as turntable and Cd player playback with book shelves speakers. I have the flagship A14MII it's a great sounding amplifier.

[@craigosterberg5045]

Thanks for review

[@robinsonbrand]

Thanks for watching!

[@tylerflores4761]

Faaaccckkk, I was waiting for a Anthem review 😂, but yes really love rotels line of products, and really like the aesthetics of the brand because i can always match whatever with a cd player,pre amp, and etc. I have 3 sliding racks in my credenza and id like to have one brand all the way down other than the streamer. Man only if i had the rotel 1592 and it has bass management and hdmi. SOLD. Crazy how they put hdmi in the new ras5000 but what all the new products dont get it? What about the x3??? Ughhh killin me. 😢

[@kjbunnyboiler]

Afternoon Andrew & Kristi👍

[@robinsonbrand]

Hi KJ!

[@MinnesotaFats]

I would have gotten a Rotel if it had a sub out. Went Cambridge instead. Love it!

[@Harry-Giles]

These integrated amp and speaker reviews make me wish I could just order a bunch of this stuff and listen to it then rotate it back out into the used market. But.....I also like staying married. Always a true pleasure listening to these reviews.

[@robinsonbrand]

We appreciate you watching. Having a constant rotation of gear isn't always as much fun as people think it would be initially.

[@WRPhotography-zx5dv]

Great review. The Rotel s14 is on sale for $200 more at the moment. Which one do you recommend? Im leading towards the S14 to power my Kef R7 as it's a streamer as well.

[@mrobbins2406]

Andrew how about 2 channel performance with similar priced AV receiver? Like a Cinema 60 for example. I just can’t see the need for this many non digital integrateds in market if an AV can get close. Great review as always

[@stephenbrockway5899]

Enjoyed the video. Friday we get Kristi's take on it and our questions answered. I like the clean styling and simplicity. Features wise it goes toe to toe with the Emotiva BasX TA1 ($499). The TA1 adds preamp capabilities and a sub out. Price wise the Rotel compares to the Emotiva BasX TA2($899). The TA2 is class a/b with 135 watts, bass management and preamp capabilities. My only question is how they would compare in sound and presentation. It would be nice to see an Emotiva review on the TA1 or TA2.

[@MasterMark5]

Rotel makes really good stuff i would look at the a14 or ra-1572 to start off with

[@johnbuchanan2147]

I love my Rotel A12

[@tessie4204]

Yes the A11/A12 a nice upgrade from SMSL or topping amps

[@dragonstone6594]

Hey Andrew, Great review. I would also like to add that even 1 sub out is not enough. 2 should be default. Also IOTA VX has announced the SA40 and PA40, A/B amp and integrated that's 150W into 8Ω and 300W into 4Ω. They can also be bridged which doubles the power. Price 640€ and 800€. Hope you review them. I was thinking about buying the Rotel RB-1582 MkII amp, but I'm gonna hold to see how the SA40 performs for 1/3 of the price. Cheers.

[@larryh9525]

Good review. As someone who bought the A11 Tribute based on your earlier review, I'm not sure I'd buy the A11 MK2. When Rotel did the Tribute they should have included at least one optical input for a TV; that was definitely a swing and a miss. I agree that the update should have included HDMI ARC. The lack of preamp outputs forever locks the purchaser into 50/wpc forever. If someone wanted this amp, they'd be better off going with the A10 MK2 (or the NAD) and purchasing a Wiim Pro Plus.

[@geographyinaction7814]

I have two Tribute A11 amps and the matching CD11 Tribute on one. My small B&W's are great, but the smaller Monitor Audios need a sub.

[@Santoshlv426]

I was in this exact position 3 months ago seeking an integrated amp. The opinions on the Rotel and Denon was divided. I settled on the Marantz PM6007 which I thought should have been a contender in this line up. The lower end Rotels are not regarded particularly high.

[@Breakinlife007]

I'm glad you gave them shit just like all of us customers would say too

[@gavriushka]

Look, you know I am biased towards Rotel. I adore my 1592 and just wish it lived a little while longer (thanks to my lovely daughter spilling juice on it years back at this point). And I don’t want to sound like a broken record either, but Rotel is right now in a weird position: they want to keep their heritage, classical views and understanding of HiFi while the market has clearly been shifting heavily towards modernizing. And I genuinely hope that they wake up and move towards it as well soon. I’m not asking for giant screens, modern design (I love the look of old school hifi), but rather HDMi, a properly good streaming app and a working remote programming. They’re nailing the sound quality already. All that’s left is just feature set that the modern audience needs. That being said, if I had the choice between this and WiiM amp, I’d choose this Rotel a thousand times over. Great review and talking points! Hope everyone’s Sunday is as lovely as it can be, and Happy Mothers Day to all you beautiful, strong, brave and smart ladies we call mom! You’re the saviors of the world and the rulers of it too! We love you!

[@tylerwashburne9061]

Excited to see reviews of Arcam's upcoming radia SA35 and SA45. Hopefully you'll be able to get your hands on one!

[@robinsonbrand]

We have some Arcam pieces in house and those reviews are coming.

[@jaredhylton6591]

Finally!!!

[@jaredhylton6591]

Hope at least 1 is Class G and that you explain it fully. It is similar to Class H in some ways, but while H is just about adding efficiency, G is first and foremost about adding quality (on the first rail), and any efficiency gains are incidental. Arcam has a good write up about it.

[@jaredhylton6591]

Most reviewers make it sound like it is about maximizing efficiency and power, but it is really about getting a Class A experience for low to medium volume listening. It sounds amazing to my ears, but looking forward to hearing what Andrew and Kristi think.

[@MasterofpuppetsBS]

I am evaluating adding an amp to the pre outs of my AVR and see if I get an overall improvement in sound quality. I own a 5.1 speaker system. How would you approach the seek of the right amp for this scenario? Thanks 🙂

[@brittmcgowan5545]

I have a follow up question about the Titans. If you add a sub or subs to the Kefs would you prefer them to the Titans? I know the cost is higher but just asking from the perspective of the sound.

[@dajikbatarang1]

A missing sub out is a bigger crime than missing hdmi eARC, IMO

[@robinsonbrand]

I understand. Thanks for watching!

[@chulwoo00]

I know thse questions are not related to the video, but it seems the best way to have them answered as a reply or during the unplugged, so there they are: 1) I've read Denon sounds desribed as more analytical or warm . Is this AVR vs. Integrated amps, or more of different 'voicing' for different brands (warmer than Yamaha, but not as much as Marantz, etc)? 2) Are you as surprised as I am in finding KEF LS60 is not more popular? I thought it would appeal to multiple groups of users (B/O fans, Movie fans who was going to add separate amps for LR, users coming from desktop systems/ power speakers.. ), but it seems the opposite is true.

[@txerapng]

I really like the design on this one! The screen was badly integrated and looked weird, love the smaller height and simple design, Kristi, what's your take on the design?

[@edwardwood969]

Great vid. Considering it’s only 50 watts the lack of pre outs is disappointing. Especially with small speakers that the amp would most likely be paired with.

[@bearclaw5115]

Why would it be paired with small speakers. More than capable of powering towers.

[@KristiWright]

Happy Sunday, everyone!

[@MohsinWadee]

I'd like a review of the Arcam A5 compared to this. Should be similar in price?

[@Leo-tf7gu]

Good amp for a starter or secondary system, for easy listening. Probably not the main system.

[@leeh4722]

I’ll stick with my Fosi and SMSL dac for now ta

[@jacksonfro]

I currently have a two channel system and Pro-ject turntable plugged into my Pioneer SC-LX502 AVR. As someone just getting into the space what’s the biggest advantage to bringing in an amp like the Rotel to replace the AVR for dedicated music listening? Do I save up for a better amp to see a larger upgrade in performance over what I have now?

[@s.daniel9224]

Hello from Florida… it’s 1950 here…hehe…

[@elmenomaronido6653]

I own both the Rotel A11 mk2 and Nad 316 v2 and in the sound department the Nad sounds better by a classical mile and with 10 watts p/c less than the rotel !

[@ben23a31]

Andrew, at what point are integrated amps at this price point be compared to AVR's? with so many of the standard features AVR's have e.g. wireless streaming HDMI, sub out, digital display, Atmos etc. I'm not sure I see or will hear the justification of a piece like the Rotel vs a mid-fi AVR. Thoughts?

[@jeffk433]

I appreciate the comparisons & the attention to sound differences. Most helpful when forced to shop online. Recently picked up the Marantz Stereo 70s (open box) for essentially the same price as the A11 MKII. How would you say the sound compares?

[@robinsonbrand]

The Marantz likely will sound or give one the sensation of a fuller slightly more warmer tone compared to the Rotel.

[@SarcoZQ]

I'm not AR but I like the Stereo 70 much better.

[@DanPlayMore]

Hello Andrew. I really need you help on this one. I listened several speakers ( bowers, monitor and Kef) but ultimately decided with the Kef R5 Meta for the most clear neutral sound. The problem is that i watch a lot of movies. Do you think that they are good also for movies ( a have a svs subwoofer as well) or should i look at Klipsch or other brand as well for a mixed speaker for both music and movies or even ps5?

[@kadajawi2]

For your Apple TV Remote issues... I have the same with my Samsung TV. The solution (for me) is to restart the Apple TV Remote. The IR blaster sometimes crashes on mine...

[@georgeangeloudes9254]

Hi Andrew.. I was wandering how does the rotel compares with the marantz stereo 70s??thanks

[@kilove1]

I like it 👍

[@NosEL34]

I have always been a fan of Rotel. Starting way back with their vintage silver receivers. I still have the old RB-991 & 981 amps stacked away in gear I never let go. Always good bass with Rotel amps. I liked the performance of a couple of their newer power amps but they have low input impedances. 10k on the last one I auditioned. Too low for someone that likes to mix n match.. especially with occasional tube preamps. I'm sure this integrated is as solid as everything else they make. I feel that they make quality equipment.

[@robinsonbrand]

Rotel, at least in my experience, makes super reliable gear that always, and I mean always, performs.

[@NosEL34]

@@robinsonbrandI completely agree

[@francescotenti193]

The absence of a sub out is far worse, for me, than no HDMI. Glad to see tone controls, almost gone in most cases. To replace a vintage unit, just for 2 channels listening, I did purchase an Audiolab 6000A which I returned, I didn't like the overall sound of it, including its DAC. I ended up with a Cambridge CXA 61, bought brand new for a very discounted price and I am very happy with it. I did consider other brands like Rotel, Yamaha, Marantz but once with the CXA I was happy, and I just quit the search. Now the question is... what to do with the SX780, I have to find another corner of my house, get a source and a couple of speakers out of retirement and just enjoy that too. Yes, folks, it never ends!

[@IsaacChew]

I really dun get the insistence to get hdmi input from the tv to the stereo. I connect the tv audio to my sound system via optical which works very well. I would not want the tv to turn off my dac or amp. I also do not want my amp to turn off the tv. Is it the auto source switching that is attractive or is it a better sound quality?

[@Dave-if5qj]

How to you think the phono amp in the rotel compares to the NAD 316 phone preamp

[@teoduloguerrero7407]

I’ve always used an AVR for HT as well as two channel listening, which i hear is a “No, No” in the audiophile world. Currently I have a Marantz 1505 driving Focal Aria 906 bookshelf’s. I would like to step up my stereo listening experience, would i get better stereo sound with an A11 over an AVR? If not how much higher up the food chain would i need to go to hear an improvement?

[@andrewgreenwood8727]

Hi Andrew, Drew from the UK ! Question for you are you going to be reviewing the "Beolab 8 speaker !! I hope so as I would love your opinion on them in a full review, I listened to them yesterday in a B&O store in Harrogate with my wife ; & they were fantastic ! So I am wondering about have an LG g series 65/ 77 inch & maybe pair the TV with 2:front & 2 rear Beolab 8's instead of the Theatre as a centre speaker & 2 rear Beolab 8 's your thoughts as we can buy a pair of 8's for about £ 8,700 pounds !! Your thoughts Andrew. ?

[@WireHedd]

Another great review thanks Andrew. I was looking at the A14 vs A11, both MkII versions, and absent a bit more connectivity with LAN I can't see a lot of justification for the costs but what's your opinion? My dad's 50yr old walnut hi-fi system is being repaired and upgraded (again) but in the meantime I want hime to have a good sound for his very large collection of LPs. The Rotel with a midline turntable and a set of smaller floor speakers like the Monitor Audio Bronze 200s is what I'm thinking but an informed opinion would be greatly appreciated. My Dad's 80 and my mom passed last year so he spends a lot of time with his music nowadays hence why my sibs and I are doing this with some urgency.

[@Mark-rw3kw]

The A14MKII does have lower distortion (.018% vs .03% and better signal-to-noise ratio (100 db vs 90 db) than the A11MKII. Andrew did mention that he heard some noise on some speakers with the A11, but most people probably wouldn't notice it, especially if playing vinyl.

[@NeverStark]

I'm currently driving KLH Model 5's with the A11MKII, and the setup sounds really good. I love the amp's minimalism, lack of screen, and volume dial light. And I'm also using my Apple TV remote to control the volume. . . and mine also stopped functioning that way shortly after. Turns out all I needed to do was restart the Apple TV remote by holding the TV and volume down buttons simultaneously for about 10 seconds. It's been controlling the amp volume ever since (even when the Apple TV is off) - and thank goodness, because I have NO patience for that eyesore of a 90's style Rotel remote in the box. Unfortunately, on some quieter recordings through these 6 ohm speakers, I'm having to crank the Rotel nearly full blast to get as close to the performances as I want to, which leaves me feeling like I don't have much headroom with this amp. I have an Arcam Radia A25 on order, so I'm eager to see what that extra power can do for the Model 5's.

[@JeffHeon]

I’d love to know if the Radia A25 can also be controlled with an Apple TV remote.

[@NeverStark]

@@JeffHeon I'm hoping so. I'll report back when I can - it might not ship until the end of the month due to backorder.

[@NeverStark]

@@JeffHeon Confirmed! Volume controls with the Apple TV remote on the Arcam A25 work wonderfully. Better than the Rotel A11MKII, because on that model, a motor in the amp had to move the physical volume wheel making it slower to respond to input. On the Arcam it's instant.

[@JeffHeon]

@@NeverStark Thank you for reporting back. It’s appreciated! Enjoy your system 😎

[@JeffHeon]

@@NeverStark thanks for the follow up. Enjoy your system 😎

[@idkisaidit]

I badly need advice!! Im currently running a denon x3700 as a preamp, going to a rotel rb1582mkii, with audyssey engaged up to 350hz… if my primary focus is 2 channel music listening, would i get a big step up in quality if i got myself a rotel preamp like the rc1572?? Thanks i love you all

[@RemisRandR]

Currently hesitating between this Rotel and the Arcam a15. Arcam is slightly more expensive, but more powerful for tower speakers and has preouts

[@movie_av_impulse]

Well I have to play the devil's advocate again 🙄 with such low wattage and only 2 channel listening an average AV Receiver can pump out that same wattage at 2 channel listening. So my question is what benefits are you really getting from buying an amplifier like this Rotel? How would it benefit someone like me in my setup? Also the benefits when watching movies in surround sound. You know all of the equipment I run I really have to ask before I make a decision if I want to even bother traveling down this road! Thanks Andrew great video p.s. good afternoon Kristi.

[@brooklynknightss]

ANDREW QUESTION, WHICH SPEAKERS ARE BETTER KLIPSCH RP-280FA OR DEFINITIVE TECHNOLOGY D17S

[@petermartin9494]

Yamaha makes some great integrated amplifiers...

[@Adrianek81]

I hope Dali will send new Rubikore😍

[@JoseFerreira-zb7wh]

Also if you already have a dac, you might prefer to go with the a10 mkii and save a few bucks. Same amp section, only without the dac. btw new fosi and wiim on the way. More gear for you to poop on! 😀

[@kodtech]

A11 Tribute is a better choice: Pre OUT, better sound, cheaper... and a display, and fw update possibility... 😄

[@prabhurc3]

Does it sound good for elac dbr62? Can you pl suggest any budget amp suggestions if not this one. Thanks!

[@ilunga146]

Yay, stereo!

[@robinsonbrand]

Thanks for watching!

[@gregorylett1760]

Any plans on reviewing the NAD M66?

[@robinsonbrand]

Kristi requested it a couple months ago but no offer yet.

[@jamesrobinson2086]

LOL! Carl sure is demanding

[@Muskyfishn84]

A question that may be suited for unplugged… How much time and effort go into speaker placement for reviews? Are you moving speakers 1mm at a time like we have read about in The Art of Rational Speaker Placement Setup Guide by Bob Robbins?

[@robinsonbrand]

Flagging this for @KristiWright for possible inclusion in Friday's episode. Thanks!

[@edricjr7930]

This was a very timely video for Me . . Thank you! 👍🏽Oh boy . . . You had me considering the Rotel until the 'NO SUB OUT' 🔊🔊 bomb dropped! 🤯🤯 I'm actively looking for a Class A/B Integrated Amp to replace my Fosi Audio DA-2120c, and I prefer the output to be 100w into 8 ohms or something close to it. BT included is fine however I'm not looking for the internal streamer this trip. So now it looks like my choices in the sub $1,000 range for a good A/B Integrated amp is now between Cambridge audio and the Emotiva BasX TA2 Stereo Preamp/DAC/Tuner With Integrated Amplifier. Can you suggest any other Class A/B Integrated amp models to look at in this range? 🙄 Thanks again! 🙂

[@BoRerunn]

Fozi za3 and can power large tower speakers. They just need a pre-amp

[@bearclaw5115]

100w for less than a grand is definitely a budget amp. Quality 100w per channel amps are generally around 2-3k. Do you absolutely need 100wpc? Also many amps including the Rotel A11 Tribute (similar) make more like 75wpc when tested. Personally I'd get the best sounding amp for your budget and try it out. Usually the kind of speakers that require a powerful amplifier wouldn't be paired with a budget amp (BasX) anyway.

[@edricjr7930]

@@bearclaw5115 . . .Thank You for the thoughtful response! 🙂 Yup, 100W is my goal 'cause I don't plan on buying another amp to replace it for at least 15+ years, so a bit of "Future Proofing" determined my requirements list as well including the cost factor. 😎🔊

[@Pok-001]

Audio lab 6000 is known to have a excellent preamp. Seen them used for 5-600. Can add a dedicated amp for more power when needed. If you really need a one box solution 100w

[@MohitKumar-ey6ng]

@andrew, i thought you'd peg this amp to the technics gx70. Which one would you think is better?

[@robinsonbrand]

The GX70 is more than double the cost of the Rotel so it's in a slightly different bracket so to speak. The 70 is a great amp and if you can get by with its 35-ish Watts, it's up there with the Yamaha 1000A and a better amp with more features compared to the Rotel here.

[@dawaynecleckley8673]

Good afternoon Andrew and Kristi. Question: when do you think we will a level of normalization regarding the standardization of features from manufacturers? In other words, most people expect to have HDMI as a feature. I cannot imagine it's tremendously expensive to add those features. Am I wrong?

[@lukemcdo]

My understanding: HDMI is far trickier than SPDIF! It has a few expectations that SPDIF does not. 1. HDMI eARC has a "lipsync" timing standard 2. HDMI ARC has a worse-defined optional lipsync standard with varied implementations 3. Any eARC connection could fall back to ARC, so #2 can be surprisingly important 4. There are far more formats supported by HDMI ARC/eARC, so implementations are more varied (requires further testing) 5. HDMI has a way different way of doing clock sync (as a source, with SPDIF you just do your best with the input and there's not any back and forth communication) 6. HDMI requires CEC support (volume, power on, device discovery) Once a company has developed this functionality, it is easiest to implement as an add-in board for a generation or two and probably only gets thrown in high-end models. Later versions would then integrate it on the same board as the DAC, Bluetooth, etc. Part of why it's trickier in this space is in part because audio companies (compared to other digital products) need to care more about avoiding electrical interference, and also sometimes are using analog dials or other things that don't translate well to CEC support.

[@Elafron17]

What would you say (in your opinion ofc) would be some good pairings for this amp in terms of bookshelf speakers sorta around the price range of the A11 MkII? I have heard that the B&W 607 S3 could be recommended but I am wondering if this amp would struggle to drive 84 dB spl speakers. Or am I getting something wrong here? I'm into heavy music btw. Thanks for the useful vid!

[@Mark-rw3kw]

I would try and find some speakers rated at least 87 dB efficiency for any amp you choose. B&W makes some very good speakers, but usually not the most cost effective ones at this price point.

[@Brett1334]

The bigger bowers 606 would probably work better at 88db but then I don’t know how much that 1db makes that much difference

[@tacofortgens3471]

Basic no bs amp great sound

[@robinsonbrand]

100%!

[@scottbaylor6215]

I would have liked to see a “Loudness” button feature on this amp. Did you miss having that for low listening volumes or are you not a loudness button/knob guy? (The Yamaha models have that I believe) Enquiring minds want to know. 😁

[@robinsonbrand]

I've never used features like that so I don't or didn't miss it.

[@pablovi77]

My main stereo system is still a Rótele RB06 and RC06, and I have no reason to change it.

[@speedwolf5212]

How does it compare to the first A11 that you guys reviewed? Surprised that it wasn’t mentioned

[@NeverStark]

11:58

[@brooksc900]

I don't know, $799.99 is a lot to pay for a "starter' amplifier. OK, you get a 5 year warranty and perhaps you should for such a price. An Arcam SA10 will give you the same 5 year warranty plus a pre-out (absent on the Rotel A11 Mk 2) for $549 leaving you $250 for a pair of speakers. A pair of Klipsch R-40Ms for $249 plus an Arcam SA10 is not a bad way to get started.

[@Akstergrind]

The reason I had to get rid of my beloved A11 Tribute amp was that it had absolutely zero in the way of digital connections. Sad as I really liked the A11 Tribute gear.

[@bearclaw5115]

You could have kept it on as a power amp. All I do with mine.