The Rotel for me. I didn't think that would be the case before I listened. Love the vids, trying to hear the little differences with different amps..pretty cool 😎
I've owned both and they are very good Integrated Amps. For me the Audiolab produces a more natural sound, the Rotel seems to add something in the music, more like some DSP. I would go for the Audiolab if I need to choose which to keep. Thanks.
For me the Audiolab doesn't add any flavor, noticable in tidier bass (often mistaked for shortage of power, less weight, punch, dynamic, etc.), but that's a complete different subject. I find the Audiolab in better (or more true) control and more neutral, where soundstage, depth and air depends on the recording quality and source. The busy Metal songs (midrange) seem also a bit more clear on the 6000a. Overall, the differences are minimal between these two amps and limited by the DBRs signature. I feel both amps are overkill here, but that's just my take.
Thank you! I requested this. I’d be hard pressed to tell them apart in a blind A/B situation. But it appears the 6000A is ever so slightly more forward/the A12 ever so more laidback. Very close though. I guess I would prefer the Rotel when paired with my LS50 Metas. Btw, is that an A12 or A12 Mk II?
This is a tough call, 'cause both these amps sound good with the Elacs. They're very close, but the kick drum on Punkd sounds a bit tighter and punchier on the Rotel, and the lower mids sound a bit weightier too, as well as it being a bit more dynamic, and clearer and crisper on top, with the guitar in Fields being a bit airier and more three dimensional than the Audiolab. So, my vote goes for the Rotel, but just barely, since they're very very close.
The difference is more subtle than I expected, although I think the DBR62 is talented at minimising differences. To me the 6000A has a touch more definition and sharp focus, most noticable in the treble and deep bass, but it's also a touch more full and forward through the midrange than the Rotel. Both are clean and have excellent energy, though neither are the sweetest or richest sounding amps there are.
I notice for some reason it's easier for me to hear the extremely subtle difference between them in the switch from the Audiolab to the Rotel, where I can notice a trace of the focus that is lost with the A12, more easily than the gain the other way around. 🤔 I'm not saying the 6000A sounds better to me, just slightly different.
@@williammiebach1798 That's an interesting remark, because I had the same experience and could not put my finger on it. I thought my mind was playing tricks here, good one! Lol.
@@34332 I thought it was interesting and odd too. I guess when differences are so small it's easier to hear when some tiny details get subtracted, more than when they're added. Psychoacoustic nuttiness, I suppose.
Too close to comment on anything. Again, with the eyes closed, you can barely tell a difference. As an ex owner of Rotels, I can tell you they are known to play real clean and uncoloured. The Audiolab is also known for such a trait. So its no wonder both sound so similiar. I sometimes have the feeling the audiolab plays a tad clearer and uncluttered, sometimes its the Rotel that sounds like that, sighted of course. Blinded, I cant tell squat.
most people here say there’s no difference but i did specifically on eletrononic and jazz, A12 mids sounds clear, and the cymbals on jazz have a more detailed sound than 6000A. But the 6000A has a little more pronounced lows but A12 have tighter bass…fyi am using Klipsch T5 ANC earbuds on this
That pretty much mirrors what I heard, slightly brighter highs from the Rotel, and the Audiolab having a bit more bass, but its bass is looser and sloppier to my ears.
I'd like to request that you cut to both amps (or speakers) during the same part within the track. Rather than cutting to the other amplifier right as the song transitions. This makes it difficult to compare, as we only hear the one amp during the soft part of a song and the other amp when drums or vocals kick in.
9:13 the Rotel is clear and punchy while mids take over and are closer on the Audiolab. Other samples have the transitions poorly placed where comparisons are not of equal sounding parts of a track due to instrumentation changes or bridges.
Il Rotel si abbina perfettamente, l'Audiolab avendo un'impostazione neutra non fa risaltare le qualità degli Elac. In ogni caso ottimi entrambi, basta azzeccare l'abbinamento giusto!
Are these speakers a curse or a blessing for doing amp comparisons ? Still undecided but veering towards thinking that these speakers are perhaps not revealing enough on the one hand but fairly easy to drive on the other hand giving this impression of sameyness with most amps unless they're really weedy or have a really strong character.
Nothing on William the Bard Miebach (textural fluidity). Apologies for tardy replies - I can't respond on my iPhone due to error 403 when I try to post RU-vid comments. Any tips ?
@@davidcarr2216 I have this sometimes with my VPN or when there's a delay 'somewhere' in the chain (posting something and it doesn't show up). I suspect its some kind of authorisation error and Google not able to track 😄
I'm under the same impression, however, there's a good amount of minimal differences to be heard. It probably depends where in the (somewhat jagged) frequency range it takes place and are more/less obvious.
Ciao! It may be my impression but I feel the Audiolab 6000A sound a little more closed and dark compared to Rotel A12 MK II that emerges and has more energy and space. It's just my humble opinion.
Hi, hard to make decision, i think u better try different space set up, ...try put all the equipment further away into your space...around 7 metre or more away into your space. I think this can give better picture of what going on to other aspect of sound ...like soundstage and better notice of real clarity. If to 'close view' like u doing now.... everything sound....flat, what the viewer can consider by this type of test is only limit to which is 'clearer and which muddle'. Sorry if im 'over u' from this comment of mine.(i dont mean to be over, just comment for ur goodness though) Its great that u can get ur hand on all the best/latest brand to give listener a chance to 'experience' them, though not the best way for listener to make a sound check of audio set(through online)...at least this is very something. Thank
Andrew Robinson is now re-reviewing speakers and possibly adjusting his judgements, because he installed some roomdampening, lol. The next best thing (maybe), besides close mic recording, may be a fully treated room by E (and do it all over). 😄
@@34332 which is a very good point brought up by GR Research that triggered all these punkass reviewers. These 'reviewers' are reviewing speakers in their spaces no better than that a toilet and people are buying it, literally.
@@34332 From what I can recall, their opinions didn't really change that much. Some speakers went back, so they don't have them to evaluate anymore. I do recall that they still really disliked the B&W 606S2, and that Kristi didn't like the Heresy IV as much as she did in the other house, but some speakers that they loved got no mention. There was no mention of the MA Bronze 100, which they both really loved, but they did say in the comments how much they like the new Silver 100, although they haven't done a formal review of them yet.
@@34332 From what I've read from many experts online, a room that's overdamped is very dull sounding. They say it's good for HT, because there are so many speakers, but for two channel stereo listening, too much room treatment can be detrimental to sound quality, because some degree of reflected sound is desirable. No one wants to live or listen to their music in an anechoic chamber.
![[Sound Battle] Audiolab 6000A vs Rotel A12 / ELAC DBR62](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
