Rotel vs. Marantz (tuners)

[ajpoe]

Has anyone compared the Marantz ST-6000 to the Rotel RT-1080. I may add a tuner to my setup. Both seem to have great reviews but the Marantz can be had for $250-300 vs. the RT-1080 for $450ish. Are there any other tuners out there at these price points that I should be considering as well? How does the RT-02 compare to the RT-1080? I assume you can get it in black?

Thanks,
AJ

[june]

hello ajpoe,

I love my RT-02 for $265.00. This is my first tuner. The RT-1080 has more techical terms that didn't justify the extra funds. The RT-02 sounds CD-ish!
I'm going to add another RT-02 to my bedroom system. I'm afraid to listen to a more expensive tuner. I'm very happy with my RT-02. My sales person said he could get the RT-02 in black. But on Rotel's web site it only available in silver.


June

[NewBuyer]

We have the RT-1080 and just love it. It seems able to pull in stations much better than other tuners we have heard (mostly receiver-based tuners) and it produces extremely lively, high quality, and rich sound. We are very happy with it. It works great with the Rotel remote that came with the RSP-1068, and turns on right away with the 12V trigger input.

We now enjoy listening to FM radio every day.

[PewterTA]

I didn't pay much more than June did for my RT-1080 and I can tell you he is right, it sounds very CD like. The stereo seperation on these (rotel) units are amazing. If you get a good signal in, I think you'd be hard pressed (unless doing serious critical listening) to not know that you have a CD playing. At worst it sounds like a high quality MP3 (like the 192 - 320Kbps ones).

I have one or two stations that have a little bit of static, but it pulls in the stations clearer and better than any of my receivers ever have. Definitely completely satisfied with it.

[ajpoe]

Thanks for the info guys. Pewter, you got the RT-1080 that cheap? I assume it was second hand or did u mean the RT-02?

[june]

Rotel RT-961 Tuner

Hello All,

I found a deal on a RT-961 tuner on audiogon.com. Can someone tell me if it sounds like the RT-02 or 1080?


June

[PewterTA]

No RT-1080, I got it for little over 300 if I remember correctly, brandnew from my dealer.... Who's actually in Ohio.

But then again, I did buy the 1095, 1098, RB-1080, and two sets of speakers off him.

[TonyStarks]

I agree with PewterTA, I also have the RT 1080 and it is just amazing! You will not be dissapointed. I also heard there are digital tuners comming out, but when i dont know. All depends on how soon you want to purchase a tuner. Here is a link I have found for you. Good luck.

http://www.ferret.com.au/articles/1b/0c02c91b.asp

[weijst]

I just got myself a RT-1080 yesterday. Although the sound is indeed very good, I don't hear that much improvement over my old, less than half the price NAD tuner (I listen to the radio fed by a cable signal (reception 100%)). Than again, the main reason for the 'upgrade' was getting matching components and offcourse this is what I have now, thus I'm satisfied...

[bordin]

Hi,

Just curious, whether radio broadcast stations over digital cable TV would replace a need for a premium analog tuner, like RT-1080 ?? Many have reported the sound quality is acceptable, CD-like.

[Kevin97225]

Give the RT-1080 time to break-in. It needs time to break in just like amps and CD player. Listen closely and you will hear the difference in detail and the Rotel gives a fuller sound, and yes, it does get CD like performance than any other tuners I've owned or own now. If you can't seem to hear the difference, A/B between with same music station and then you'll hear the difference right away.