merovingian Posted March 18, 2007 Posted March 18, 2007 After going through my usual lengthy pre-purchase self-torture, I am really really really going to buy something this week. From the auditions (mostly 2-channel) I've done, I can't find much to separate the CA 640R from the Rotel 1057. I mean they sound a little different, but I wouldn't really say one was better than the other. The Rotel perhaps appeals slightly more to the drummer within me, but the advantage is marginal at best. Feature set seems to be on a par as well. I know that both fail to decode HDMI audio, but I couldn't care less. The CA640R is rated as 125W per channel (for 5.1) versus 75W for the Rotel. Minor tick for CA. The CA volume nob is awful (like a wet fish handshake). Minor cross. The CA gets the WAF tick due to superior looks. And the CA is $300 cheaper. Another tick. Am I missing a good reason why the Rotel would be a better buy? Is it just that my ears are deficient, and that I should think it sounds a lot better?
the-austrian Posted March 18, 2007 Posted March 18, 2007 Sounds like you've already picked the CA Go for it!
yamapro Posted March 18, 2007 Posted March 18, 2007 In all honesty you can't go wron with either mate - both top notch and great valueunits Follow your heart..
scotty79 Posted March 18, 2007 Posted March 18, 2007 having owned the RSX1056 (no HDMI, same as 1057 apart from that) AND the CA640r - there's not alot in it. here's an honest opinion ontop of your already accurate assumptions - the OSD menu of the rotel is probably a little more intuitive and nicer looking. the 640r does 7.1 nicely out of the box and has the "incognito" a-bus if you want to go down that path. the rotel is manufactured in china. the 640r is still manufactured in UK. the rotel doesnt have front inputs (well, my 1056 didnt, doubt the 1057 does either). the 640r has more optical/coax input options that the rotel. the 640r does a better job of "DSP" sound modes (fake surround sound etc, for a stereo input, like a nintendo Wii etc) the 640r is better ventilated for install into smaller places than the rotel. the rotel will come packed with a learning remote that i found excellent in nature. the 640r will come with a nice remote, that has NO learning function - if you want the CA learning remote, ask them to throw it into the deal or pay extra for it (and no, its not "quite" as good as the rotel). they all have their ups and downs, overall, i like the CA640R better, because it has more options, the rotel is more minimalist and purist, but both do a great job of reproduction. I chose the 640R for my HT/Entertainment room because it is more designed for HT/Entertainment than the rotel, it has more input/output options... just my two cents. but remember - if you have to pay for the CA's learning remote, its no longer a $300 price difference!
merovingian Posted March 19, 2007 Author Posted March 19, 2007 Thanks for the feedback fellas. No particularly compelling pro-Rotel points made, so the CA is firming up in my mind. I don't think I'm bothered about the lack of a learning remote, although that may be worth a little more investigation, so thanks for pointing that out Scotty. I'll go for another audition to be sure to be sure. Many thanks.
Satanica Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 having owned the RSX1056 (no HDMI, same as 1057 apart from that) AND the CA640r - there's not alot in it.here's an honest opinion ontop of your already accurate assumptions - the OSD menu of the rotel is probably a little more intuitive and nicer looking. the 640r does 7.1 nicely out of the box and has the "incognito" a-bus if you want to go down that path. the rotel is manufactured in china. the 640r is still manufactured in UK. the rotel doesnt have front inputs (well, my 1056 didnt, doubt the 1057 does either). the 640r has more optical/coax input options that the rotel. the 640r does a better job of "DSP" sound modes (fake surround sound etc, for a stereo input, like a nintendo Wii etc) the 640r is better ventilated for install into smaller places than the rotel. the rotel will come packed with a learning remote that i found excellent in nature. the 640r will come with a nice remote, that has NO learning function - if you want the CA learning remote, ask them to throw it into the deal or pay extra for it (and no, its not "quite" as good as the rotel). they all have their ups and downs, overall, i like the CA640R better, because it has more options, the rotel is more minimalist and purist, but both do a great job of reproduction. I chose the 640R for my HT/Entertainment room because it is more designed for HT/Entertainment than the rotel, it has more input/output options... just my two cents. but remember - if you have to pay for the CA's learning remote, its no longer a $300 price difference! Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think any CA products are currently manufactured in the UK. http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/page_...0_640R-rear.jpg Designed in London, England.
betty boop Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 thsi isssue on the 640r probably worth following up on.. http://www.dtvforum.info/index.php?showtopic=47453
scotty79 Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 Correct me if I am wrong but I don't think any CA products are currently manufactured in the UK.http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/assets/page_...0_640R-rear.jpg Designed in London, England. you're probably right, at least the box the CA comes in has a UK UPC code on the barcode, whereas the rotty has the chinese country code. ya know what, IMHO, which is probably grossly wrong in this case - but i reckon they are both made in the same factory... i came to that realisation after many beers.... hmmmmm.
ozcal Posted March 19, 2007 Posted March 19, 2007 you're probably right, at least the box the CA comes in has a UK UPC code on the barcode, whereas the rotty has the chinese country code.ya know what, IMHO, which is probably grossly wrong in this case - but i reckon they are both made in the same factory... i came to that realisation after many beers.... hmmmmm. Don't think so Scotty unless Rotel are manufacturing the 640r for CA , as Rotel have their own factory in China. Gordon
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