Rotel RSX-1057 or Cambridge azur 640r?

[manjvg]

I haven't had a chance to compare the two head-to-head (A/B) and wanted to know if anyone has tried this. Any big reasons to choose one over the other?

[shadow 8]

Rotel has much better features and sounds at least as good.

[Dmantis]

Rotel has much better features and sounds at least as good.

I Install the Cambridge and it's a fine unit but Rotel is a better unit and sounds alot better in my opnion. I think the Cambridge would be a home run if they would step up it's abilities. For audio is sounds pretty damn good and can drive harder speakers.

[Russ L]

I compared both and chose the Rotel . Both have excellent sound but Rotel has bigger power supply and sound had less distortion. Also heard Cambridge's new 840A 2 channel amp and good but not as good as should have been for price.(While the new 840C CD player is amazing!) I've been very happy with my Rotel RSX-1057 and my Cambridge Audio Azur 840C CD Player . Best regards, Russ

[manjvg]

Thanks for the input.
I plan to have NHT Classic Fours as my front's w/ Three's in back and Three-C center. My primary concern is whether the Rotel can drive these speakers. Will i need an additional amp?

I remember reading that the RSX-1056 had trouble w/ distortion when using a 5 channel setup without a subwoofer (hifinews review). Any idea if that is a problem w/ the RSX-1057 since they seem to be similar products?

[Ted]

Thanks for the input.
I plan to have NHT Classic Fours as my front's w/ Three's in back and Three-C center. My primary concern is whether the Rotel can drive these speakers. Will i need an additional amp?

I remember reading that the RSX-1056 had trouble w/ distortion when using a 5 channel setup without a subwoofer (hifinews review). Any idea if that is a problem w/ the RSX-1057 since they seem to be similar products?

I have not heard the Cambridge, but I do own the 1057 and have really been impressed by the dynamics it has and how it made my Klipsch RF-5's come alive. I don't know much about the NHT speakers, but this week I demoed a 1057 running B & W 704/HTM7 based system and it sounded great. B & W's like lots of clean power and I thought it handled them very well. If not satisfied, you can always add an amp later...

[artv4]

manjvg,
i am currently running nht 2.5i's. and three nht m6's off of my rotel rsx-1055 and it sounds great!!!!! the rotel produces such a warm soundstage and would be perfect with the classic series from nht! the rotel rsx-1057 is going to produce a perfect 75 watts of constant power to feed the inefficient nht speakers.

[wkhanna]

I remember reading that the RSX-1056 had trouble w/ distortion when using a 5 channel setup without a subwoofer (hifinews review). Any idea if that is a problem w/ the RSX-1057 since they seem to be similar products?

That is probably true for most receivers. Bass takes the most current so it will stress the amp before anything else will. Also, relieving the other speakers of LF duty will make them sound better. So I think that is a strange thing to say about any one receiver in particular, when in the real world, it applies across the board in most cases.

[Dmantis]

That is probably true for most receivers. Bass takes the most current so it will stress the amp before anything else will. Also, relieving the other speakers of LF duty will make them sound better. So I think that is a strange thing to say about any one receiver in particular, when in the real world, it applies across the board in most cases.

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I find adding a sub to any system including a 2 channel adds dynamics and depth. No system should be without one.
The Rotel receivers are fine for most speakers. They can run 86db and 4ohm speakers better then most other receivers. Would a seperate amp do a better job??? Yes. In the real world would the Rotel work wonders, you bet.

Dan