Comparison, Parasound & Rotel Amplifiers

[See-Fu]

How do the two brands compare to each other? I'm looking at audiogon and ebay and the pricing appear to be fairly similiar. If we compare the Rotel RB-1080 to the Parasound 2250 or the Halo A51 how do each stack up against each other?

[mike c]

bump

[oxcartdriver]

I believe you'll find the parasound A51 to be priced quite a bit more than the RB-1080. I've heard the parasound models, but cannot comment on the comparison to Rotel, sorry.

[deke]

Years back a salesman had told me that Parasound amps were built by Rotel. Perhaps someone can confirm or deny this?

[kurtholz]

read this months absolute sound, they talk about them both

Kurt

[mike c]

i dont suppose you can summarize what it said, can you?

[kurtholz]

It says the basic reviewer talk, about how great it is, ( every review says this i think), but reading between the line's, ( these are quote's),

"the Rotel's sounded faster but lacked some heft",

"they also didnt have quite as large a soundstage as the Parasound",a very important part a gleaned was this comment

" Some audiophiles will find it clean and perhaps lacking some body on the notes,Im starting to think that this may be an inherent part of switching amplifiers"

"The Rotel's will not match up to megabuck systems,and arent really intended to"

now these are just the negatives, there are many compliments to them in the review,as in all review's

i can't imagine they would compete on the level as the Bel Canto's, which i have used on my 802D's,i thought they did an excellent job, however, i will admit they don't stand up to the Krell monoblocks i use now, of course it was a huge difference in the cost of admission

good luck

Kurt

[mike c]

thank you very much Kurt

[Pookie007]

I am considering Parasound Halo against Rotel. Based on my best prices, the Parasound is about 80% more expensive. The only real advantage I have found are the balanced inputs on the Halo. Am I missing something? Based on my interpretation of the last posts the Rotel seems to be the better choice.

[cfrizz]

Both companies make terrific amps, I have owned both. You can't go wrong either way.