ROTEL TRIBUTE SERIES - THE LAST LEGACY FROM A LEGEND

Industry leaders, Rotel, have launched the A11 and CD11 Tribute series amplifier and CD player (respectively), redesigned in collaboration with the late audio legend Ken Ishiwata. Very sadly Ken passed away before seeing the final finished product.

Both the CD11 CD player and A11 amplifier feature significant changes to internal components as well as changes to the chassis design over the standard entry level versions of the cd and amp. Ken Ishiwata was famous for his work with Marantz, and as this proved to be his last manufacturer collaboration it was aptly named “Tribute” by Rotel. Ken’s knack was to take an already well performing component and take it to another level without a huge increase in price. i’m sure lots of you reading this will have owned or listened to many products that he had performed his magic on.

The Rotel A11 and CD11 Tribute fall into the same price bracket as the well established and award winning Marantz 6000 series, which we have been fans of for many years in its current and previous models. It is safe to say that these now have very stiff competition from these new Rotel models.

From setting them up from new out of the box it was clear to see that these are extremely well put together components for the price. Even perhaps a more reassuring build quality than its competition.

The first CD we played (Eric Clapton - Session for Robert J) was very impressive even from stone cold. Sounding very articulate with a tremendous sense of space and focus of the individual instruments in the laid bare live recording. Partnered with the Rotel were the Bowers and Wilkins 607 on the dedicated B&W STAV stands, and at an overall system cost of just over £1500 it really does rock along.

Curious to hear the comparison with our established go-to product it was time to set up the Marantz CD6007 and PM6007 amplifier alongside. My initial thoughts about the Rotel were reinforced in comparison to the Marantz. It would be fair to expect, as from previous Ken Ishiwata tuned products, things like the accuracy in tonality of separate instruments, and focused sound stage to be improvements, and this is certainly the case with the Rotel.

To question if the Marantz is now still top of the tree and the entry level would be a very fair discussion, certainly from what we have heard so far, the Rotel will appeal to a lot of people. So, if the Marantz is on your list to audition then you must add the Rotel Tribute to that list!

If you would like to audition these with us, please remember that during the current Covid restrictions we are still able to offer in store demonstrations by appointment. If you are unable to travel to Swansea due to local lockdown travel restrictions please get in touch with us to discuss a home demonstration.

Nic, Chris & Adrian - Audio T Swansea

Contact your local Audio T Store to listen to Rotel products