Rotel A11 Mk2 is my favorite Amplifier in it`s price range! /w many great Amps comparison Review

[@AUDIOfile-frequency]

Great review, thank you. Would love to get your opinion on the a12 mkii.

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Thank you so much, and thank you for watching my reviews. It is not in plans in near future, but would definitely love that to review that amp.

[@daysofgrace2934]

I have a very simple technique to sort out sound systems, if it can make forget about analysing (brain) and feel (emotion) the musical art then I know it's good. In this respect Marantz & Arcam deliver without having to spend big money like on high end audio, 80% of the sound on 20% of the money...

[@achonakin7361]

Hello! Could you recommend some matching speakers ! Thank you ! Happy New Year !

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

I dont know your budget. But I would get something more open, and rich. Something like Dali, Monitor Audio or Bowers and Wilkins. In this price range, similar to this amp, aim for Monitor Audio Silver 100, Dali Oberon 3 or 5, or maybe Bowers and Wilkins 607 s3. Those are great matches. Thanks for watching my review!

[@LB-rq2ds]

How good is the dac? Is it better to buy A10 and then buy an separate DAC?

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Hi, i would seriously not recommend that. You will be caped with that 40w in 8ohms, and if you scale up with speakers it will be a noticeable lack of power. It is a fine DAC, better buy a11 and eventually down the road exyernal DAC. As it will more comfortably drive more speakers and then you can add external dac for more soundstage and details. Or just buy some great source with great dac inside, like streamer or cd player. Thank you for watching.

[@LB-rq2ds]

@HIFIDaydreaming 10 mk2 is 2x50 w , it's the same just whiteout dac

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

@LB-rq2ds i probably have knowledge of a10 not mk2. Hmmm then I have to say this, that might be rven better choice. I retract my words, a10 + dac could bring great results. This opened new thinking for me, i never thought about a 10 when i purchused a11. And it could be a supirior result, albait a bit more extensive to buy a10 and an external dac.

[@LB-rq2ds]

@HIFIDaydreaming here in Denmark the A10 mk2 is 268 euro cheaper than 11mk2. And if I bye A10 mk2+ smls d6s DAC it will be cheaper than a11mk2. You think it is better than Cambridge axr 100? I bey the axr 100 and send it back, I don't like it. In Denmark I can also bey a new Audiolab 6000A for 378 Euro its cheaper than the Rotel A10 mk2 alone

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

@LB-rq2ds question, what speakers do you have? And what do you like most in music? Punch? Soundstage? Claraty and transperancy? Etc

[@GabrielDima98]

Hello! Great review, but I have a question. I hooked this up recently with my Wharfedale Diamond 12.2s and coming from an old and very warm Technics SA-300 receiver (35 WPC) I was expecting a lot more from the Rotel. What I got instead is a very thin and almost anemic sound - while all the details and clarity is there, it lacks a lot of weight in the low end compared to the Technics (I know, that thing is a warm tank) but I don't really feel that the Rotel matches the 12.2s very well in general. It also sounds less powerful than the Technics which is a bit odd, as it is rated at 50 WPC into 8 Ohms. I also had the AXA35 for a few days and IMO that amp sounded nicer and fuller with the 12.2s, while still being detailed and clear. My question is, should I get an AXA35 or other integrated (like a Marantz PM6007 or even an Audiolab 6000A) instead, or should I change my speakers and keep this A11 mkII? What would you guys do? Thanks

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

To me this is more maybe about your expectations. As you have come from a warm setup. And now you have Rotel which is neutral and Dimaonds that are a bit bright, so the combination is going to sound lean and detailed. I think that technics is class A, so you can not compare it to Rotels A/B amplification regarding numbers. Sometimes class A 35w, can sound bigger than 50w on A/B. This is what I think, first to properly drive 12.2 I think you need good healthy 60W in 8 ohms. If you want more fuller body, more weightier sound, go with darker amps like Denon or Marantz. I think even in my review of Diamonds, I suggested a bit warmer amps to go with this. Marantz Pm6007 is a grate choice I think you will enjoy that synergy far more. Eventually down the line you can buy Model 60n or Model 50 to have amp that will completely drive this speakers with easy and effort(and many other speakers). If you want something good for Rotel, it more that warmer speakers will do good, of maybe rich. I think Q Acoustics 3030i are amazing paring or Dali Oberon 3 or Bowers and Wilkins 607s3. Good thing with choosing to stay with Rotel is that you can experiment around sound. You can choose more warmer and bigger sound with Q Acoustics, or rich and foreword mids and vocals of Dalis. Or great rhythmics, and treble of B&W, it is all on you to experiment and find the sound that fits your needs. Thank you so much for watching my review it is appreciated

[@daysofgrace2934]

Could you compare it to the Arcam A5 and Marantz 50?

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Well Marantz is more expensive than both, and is a far more superior device. I personally did not spend any time with A5, but on paper it seems same like Rotel to be an amazing value in this price range. I think what ever you choose, will that be Arcam and Rotel is more about preferences, in my experience I think Rotel is a bit more neutral and easy going, while Arcam might tip more in treble. But both are amazing, and depending on your needs one might be for you or other. Thanks for watching my review it is appricaited.

[@markgriffiths6540]

Better than the Tribute? I find the Tribute flat in the power section and easily bettered by an old recapped Arcam A8P and a pair Aiyima a07 Maxes (with OPA1656 or LM4562 opamps) and hopeless with my Wharfedale Evo 4.1 (but not so bad with my HiVi Swans 2.2s - these sound better with the other amps too!!!).

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Well the thing is simple, if you did not enjoy Tribute dont waste your time here. Being a bit more clear and transparent, and better DAC does not fundamentally change sound signature nor power. You can see the lit of amps, at the end of review, where I said that this is not a perfect amp and there are few that have things better. It is just that I enjoyed it the most. Maybe something like Musical Fidelity m2si, would be for you. But Rotel should drive EVO 4.1, maybe if it had extra 10 more W to really drive it super well, but it should not be a problem. Interestingly at forums where I reside many people are complaining that 4.2 are notoriously difficult to drive correctly maybe also 4.1. I never had experience with them, so I could not say really. Thanks for watching my review it is appreciated.

[@immanuelsuresh7739]

Well I've my q3050i speakers connected to marantz pm6007 and rega Brio, marantz is good for soft music as you mentioned and rega for fast and dynamic, will this Tribute be a better choice for both?

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

@@immanuelsuresh7739 It will be better choice for both certainly. As it will be more dynamic and detailed than Marantz, but not as good as Marantz for softer warmer music. Or it will be more easy listening with more clarity and transparency than Rega, but not as good as Rega for extra detail extraction for fast and punchy music. You have to weigh what is most important to you.

[@michelecastellano6196]

Great review, thank you very much! Would you pair Rotel with Klipsch RP 600 m io?

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Yes they would work really great. klipsch are warmer sound, easy to drive. This rotel amp is perfect synergy for them.

[@gianlucabassi8853]

The Tribute is not a real Rotel

[@Sailor426]

It does hum at low levels not what I would expect from a 2024 amp , the remote is ugly no thought gone into that looks like your over sized tv remote , you buy a silver amp and get a black remote …really !

[@HIFIDaydreaming]

Hmmm, I did not have problems like that. Are you certain is it the amps problem and not grounding? Or maybe a faulty unit. I dont know, but that is a bummer. Rotel and musical fidelity can go toe to toe who have more outdated remote, it is beyond my comprehension why in this day and age they look like they have remote like from 80s. It is sad. But thanks, man, for watching my review it is appreciated.

[@hifi-enthusiast]

I had the A11 Tribute and it had an audible hum too. That being said, I think it's silly to complain about a solid, well-sized remote! I personally like this slightly bigger, traditional remote style. It feels more solid and reminds me of the good old hifi days. Do you really want to have something tiny and flimsy that will break after it fell down a couple times ? I believe NAD had that type of flimsy remote with their entry level amp.. even smaller than the size of a credit card.

[@hifi-enthusiast]

We have to keep in mind, if not for manufacturers like Rotel, Denon/Marantz, Yamaha and a couple of other traditional hifi companies we would have to rely completely on crappy Chinese hifi in this entry level category. That's why you shouldn't complain too hard about things like remote controls in the budget price range..

[@Sailor426]

@@hifi-enthusiast no I don’t want flimsy I expect something of the quality of say my Apple TV ! Also I would expect a remote the same colour of the amp , this is not the end of the world but I am saying I expect better. Rotel replaced the amp and that took six weeks ! Over and out from a non returning Rotel customer.