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ROTEL Diamond Series

I've read some reviews and am kind of intrigued by the ROTEL Diamond Series DT-6000 and RA-6000, and wanted to hear experiences and thoughts from the hive. It seems they put a pretty good DAC in the transport, so much so that it's made to function as such in addition to being a CD player, but know some folks are opposed to this on the principle. Mostly listen to classical and jazz.

I currently have an Audio Analogue Puccini Special Edition integrated amp (I have had for 20 years and has served me well), an Emotive ERC-3 CD player (am pretty meh about), and Emotive Stealth DAC (which has worked well enough). I play these through my Triangle Celius 202 speakers (that I've also had for 20 years and still love).

It may be that simply a new CD transport (and possibly DAC) would be the way to go, but the new ROTEL pair are, literally, made for each other and I'd like to hear more. Thanks.

hornsteiner1735
sunshdw's avatar
sunshdw
252 posts
 

I do not own either unit but I'm very familiar with Rotel (worked for a dealer and owned a bunch of it). I would have zero issue with owning both of these because I like the sound, they're built very well and Rotel has a great bang for the buck type of performance. Their old RCD1072 cd player was compared to many others costing 3 times the price. We had done a A B comparison with an OPPO, Classe and an Integra universal players and that 1072 was on par or better than these 3. I'd also say their internal phono stage is pretty good as well. 

So if you're wanting to make the upgrade I'd suggest finding a dealer to hear it and possibly, if they'll let you, take it home to try on your speakers. 

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,600 posts
 

The only Rotel I ever owned was a CDP. The drawer mechanism (slow) failed in 5 years and I glued a knob on the drawer for manual operation. Good luck with that. Top load only for me.

51514brad
13 posts
 

I’m a Rotel fan so I’m sure both components would be great. However, as both the amp and transport each contain a DAC I question whether they’re designed to go together. That, to me, would make one DAC redundant.

 

I would suggest the DT-600 is designed more to go with a separate amp/pre-amp combo that doesn’t already include a DAC. Although, as all of Rotel’s pre-amps and integrated amps appear to contain DAC’s, unless the DT-6000’s is noticeably better, I don’t understand why they included a DAC in it at all...

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