Are Rotel amps and preamps any good?

My Rotel pre has been exceptional from a quality vs. cost standpoint. It is absolutely dead silent in the system (as is the volume control). Very nice phone stage as well. No repair issues whatsoever.

It took a PS Audio PCA-2 at 4 times the price (5 times once I buy a phono preamp)to take make me see what I was missing...

What exactly is "lacking" in Rotel's preamps?

I've only owned 2 Rotel pieces, a used older Rotel RC870BX preamp and a new RB1070 power amp. I didn't like either. Amp had fake heatsinks and sounded boomy. Preamp was bought used and very cheap so can't complain for $50.

I have owned multiple Rotel pieces and would recommend them to anybody. Very well built and good sounding for the money!

I purchased a Rotel 971 preamp many years ago. It has performed flawlessly. Never one problem. I hear nothing from it causing me to initiate pursuing replacement. It is paired with an older Hafler 9180 driving Thiel CS2's. The sound is non-fatiguing, uncolored, detailed, realistic and so forth. I would get to a Rotel dealer and take your time doing a lot of auditioning. Know what you want from these products. Take note of the dealer's speakers used, room size, program material, etc. Best to bring your own vinyl or cd's. Focus on what you hear and not what the sales rep is saying.