NAD vs. Rotel cost -to-quality comparison

I have been doing a bit of initial tentative research with respect to upgrading to a pre-power setup.

I have come across some interesting aspects, price wise, which I did not expect.

I always thought Rotel and NAD operated in the same price band. However, the Rotel setup seems to be considerably more expensive, at least here in Mumbai, India.

Prices are as follows (In Indian Rupees. 1 US$ = ~ Rs.45) Also, all prices are MSRP without factoring in any discounts. However Rotel prices are excluding 12.5% sales tax and VAT :

NAD C162 pre-amp - Rs.39629
NAD C272 power amp - Rs.38268 (150 WPC)

Rotel RC-06 pre-amp - Rs.29500
Rotel RB-06 power amp - Rs.29500 (70 WPC)

Rotel RC-1070 pre-amp - Rs.30000
Rotel RC-1090 pre-amp - Rs.68000
Rotel RB-1070 power amp - Rs.41500 (130 WPC)
Rotel RB-1080 power amp - Rs.62000 (200 WPC)

I have compared two difference Rotel series to the NAD models. You will note that the lower series (06 series) which outputs just 70 WPC (less than half the NAD C272 rating) is more closer to the NAD.

The above difference exists in CD Players also.
NAD C542 - Rs.28139
RCD-06 - Rs.34500
RCD-1072 - Rs.41500

I have always seen the NAD C542 compared to the Rotel RCD-1072. However, you will observe that the Rotel is considerably more expensive. Additionally the lower end Rotel RCD-06 is also surprisingly more expensive than the NAD high end C542.

Now is this price characteristic just in India or is the same out there as well ???

If it is indeed so,
1. Is the Rotel gear that much better quality wise ?
OR
2. Is Rotel generally more expensive and charges a higher brand premium ??

Basically, what I am trying to ask is, do Rotel products offer that much better quality of components inside their products, e.g. capacitors, transformers etc. as compared to NAD ?

Please note, this is not a query on "which brand sounds better ?"

Would be thankful for your inputs on the above.

Regards,
hi_fi_guy

Agree with Art, No difference in Quality innards however Rotels have bettter casing comparitively and feel more solid to operate.
Both are time tested and have a more than proven track record.

Nad's stick to the philosophy of putting in the money where it really matters and hence has just 2 colours and very basic look from outside.

Also i have noted that with time NAD amps take little longer to switch on gradually, so if a new NAD amp takes 1/4 sec to come on after a year or so of use takes around 1 sec to come on - dunno why this happens or if it was just my amp but sound was as good as ever.

Which sounds better?? Rotel - to my ears

Also what speakers do you plan to use .
Also both brands sound very very different - infact oppisite in some ways so it will be a matter of preference and what speakers you are wanting to drive.

Cant go wrong with either - just dont mix the two brands like NAD cdp and Rotel amp etc.

CDP - Rotel 1072 is better machine by a little margin in terms of build resolution but NAD 542 more musical to my ears.

hope this helps

and oh...

speaker wise, I am looking very hard at:
Monitor Audio GS-10 (excellent, but expensive)
Epos M12.2
Paradigm Studio 20
Lithos Acoustics 2.1 system

thanks

hi VPI
I am using a RB 06 power amp along with RC 06 pre , the quality is very good. but it lacks the musical touch of NAD , the RB RC 06 is sounding similar to RB 960BX RC 960BX combination which is also from rotel. Now i have planned to replace RC 06 to NAD Pre cause Nad is better in Pre amp when compared to Rotel. The speakers i am using is Quad 22L which is now coupled with NAD208THX power amp and Carver C1 Pre.
happy listening
develara