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From: laney@Colorado.EDU (Culbert B. Laney)
Newsgroups: rec.audio.high-end
Subject: Re: Rotel vs. Adcom
Date: 28 Mar 1996 17:04:56 GMT
Organization: Computational Fluid Dynamics Group
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In article <4jcjco$jdq@eyrie.graphics.cornell.edu>, paulh@metro2.k12.mn.us (Paul Holte) writes:



This sort of comparison question is impossible to answer. Adcom is
not "better" than Rotel. Adcom is different than Rotel or, in other
words, they have completely different styles. Which you prefer is a
matter of your own tastes. You will definitely have a strong a
opinion if you listen carefully, but its impossible to predict your
opinion in advance. I have developed a classification system which
you may find helpful, which I enclose below. By this system, Adcom is
"analytical," Rotel is "British," and harman-kardon is "romantic."
Again, the ony way to find out which of these three styles you prefer
is to listen to representatives from each. Only then will the written
descriptions make sense.

Bert

====================================================================

ROMANTIC

Description: Not the last word in detail or imaging, tends to be
fairly but not completely forgiving. In the best case, brings out the
enjoyable qualities of the music despite recording flaws, without too
much loss of detail. In the worst case, it sounds like a typical
clock radio --- pleasant but completely inaccurate. Generally sounds
fairly good no matter what but, as with anything, careful placement
and set up will bring out its best. Analytical fans tend to hate
romantic gear. Adjectives for advocates: "rich, warm, full, smooth,
not harsh, musical, lush" Adjectives for critics: "lacking detail,
veiled, inaccurate, too sweet" Brands names: B&K, conrad-johnson,
Vandersteen. While not necessarily the best representatives of the
style, lots of US mass-market gear is Romantic including Carver, Bose,
Philips, and harman-kardon. However, the international companies
sometimes adjust the sound of their equipment to appeal to different
countries. For example, Sony might be more Romantic in the US but
more "British" in the UK. Stereophile reviewer with this general
preference: Sam Tellig


ANALYTICAL

Description: In the best case, reveals everything about the recording,
and sounds fantastic on a really good recording. In the worst case,
it only appears to bring out more detail and is not, in fact, more
detailed, much like adjusting the "detail" or "sharpness" control on
a TV does not affect real detail. Generally requires careful
placement and set-up to sound right. Romantic fans tend to hate
analytical gear.
Adjectives for advocates: "detailed, accurate, revealing, neutral"
Adjectives for critics: "harsh, etched, fatiguing, irritating,
ruthlessly revealing, too much treble or
harsh treble"
Brand names: Adcom, NAD, Acurus. Some US mass-market gear is also
Analytical, although they tend to be a horrible
examples of the breed, with an emphasis on exaggerated
treble and bass.
Stereophile reviewer with this general preference: Robert Harley


BRITISH (while the style originates in Britain, and much British
gear exhibits the style, some US gear also has this style,
and some UK gear does not)

Desciption: In the best case, it has a laid-back natural sound
with excellent detail and imagining, in some sense combining the
best of romantic and analytical. In the worst case, its just
polite and muddy, with an added softening coloration never found
in romantic or analytical gear. At least, never actively irritating.
Both Romantic and Analytical fans can respect British gear, but tend
to find it a boring and prissy.
Adjectives for advocates: "smooth, detailed, full, good imaging"
Adjectives for critics: "polite, distant, dull, restrained, rolled-off
or soft treble, lacking dynamics"
Brand names: Rotel, Celestion, Classe, KEF, ProAc, Polk. Many
but not all mass-market UK brands fall into this category.
Few US mass-market gear does, although Polk is an exception.
Stereophile reviewer with this general preference: John Atkinson