All-in-one Receiver/DVD player (Rotel RSDX-02, NAD L73, others?) - what do u think?

[Kipa]

I'm putting together a home theater set-up in my newly remodeled basement (not dedicated HT room, but a multi-purpose den). I started looking at everything at every price point, but am slowly narrowing down the choices. I really liked the Paradigm Studio series and Wharfedale Evolution series speakers and will probably go with one of these choices. Sub will be from SVS (wife love's the tubes).

Seperates are going to be overkill for me - the improvements I saw/heard aren't going to be worth the extra $$$. So I've been looking at receivers. I was looking at Rotel offerings and saw they had this interesting all-in-one unit that included a DVD player, so have headed down the path of looking at all the quality all-in-one units out there.

So, does anyone have experience with these units or have any general comments about all-in-ones in particular?

Kipa

[SiriuslyCold]

for practical reasons I would not recommend an all-in-one - a receiver lets you change the dvd player whenever it craps out, or when you want to upgrade. Even if not all the way to separates (preamp+poweramp+DVD player) a receiver + dvd player gives you more flexibility in choices. Plus receiver amps are almost always more powerful than all-in-ones.

Also, I remeber reading you'll not get the full benefit of the Studios if the amps aren't sufficiently powerful - they are relatively easy to drive, but will sing when given good power.

[Kipa]

I understand the limitations of an all-in-one solution, but the "WAF" factor, aestetics, space constraints, and ease of use by the whole family are offsets for me in that category.

I've also read on these forums about the Studios liking power. I'm looking at the Studio 20 bookshelves so are a little less concerned about the lack of power.

Kipa

[Kipa]

Anyone else?

[gdX]

Can't help you with the Rotel or NAD, and there seems to be little or no feedback anywhere for either... understandably, these aren't products enthusiasts would be attracted to.

In the interest of compromise, I'd also suggest separate receiver and DVD... just about every manufacturer makes a slim-line DVD player... and there are a handful of small-form AV receivers out there... the JVC digitals are very popular... Sherwood makes a small-form digital AVR... and Cambridge Audio makes a tradtional AVR that's about 17x4x13 -- I have one and can vouch for its good performance.

These choices won't take up much more space than the NAD or Rotel, but will certainly give you more flexibility... and arguably better performance.

[AtlantaAllen]

I wouldn't suggest an all in one at this time. Mind you I would like to get one for my office, but there are too many changes taking place now.

My installer wanted to get me in a new $1200 Player, but I told him I wouldn't do it with HD DVD on the horizon. It may take a couple of years, but if the HD DVD players become the norm, all the standard def players now will become door stops.

I wouldn't want a NAD all in one as a door stop because it's a slick unit. It's days may be numbered though. As far as new DVD players go I'd try to get by with a receiver and then a player that is under $300 street price til the dust settles.

Allen

[SiriuslyCold]

As far as aesthetics go Linn makes a nice looking all-in-one (Classik Movie Di (http://www.avrev.com/equip/linnclassikmovie/index.html))

http://www.avrev.com/gifs/linnclassikmovie/front2.gif (http://www.avrev.com/equip/linnclassikmovie/index.html)

... as does Naim (n-Vi (http://www.naim-audio.com/products/n-vi.html))

http://www.hificoncept.de/media/n-vi.jpg (http://www.naim-audio.com/products/n-vi.html)

[Kipa]

Thanks for the links Siriusly. Just what I was looking for (except the price on both - just a little steep for me). Who would've guessed there was a $5K HTIB w/o speakers out in the world.

gdx, thanks for offering up some other alternatives. This is route I'll go if the "all in one" solution doesn't gain any traction. You're right on the lack of feedback on either of these units (here on AVS and elsewhere on the 'net).

Kipa

[SiriuslyCold]

[quote=Kipa]Who would've guessed there was a $5K HTIB w/o speakers out in the world.[/quote]

haha ... and they both also sell them with speakers - which would push the price beyond 10K i think :D there's a n-Vi on audiogon, but note that it is only 50W per channel (Tripath digital amps)

NAD and Rotel seem to be at the right price point for normal folks who would have been forced to buy a Bose Lifestyle instead.

Denon makes one called the ADV-1000 but its only sold in Europe and Asia i think - or in US as part of a packaged HTiB. Come to think of it, whats stopping you from getting one of these HTiBs and throwing the speakers away?

[Kipa]

Still looking for any other opinions.

Kipa

[B&W Boy]

Not sure why theres neg. talk about NAD. I have the 3240pe integrated amp in my bedroom. I've had it for at least 12 - 13 yrs. it's rated at 40 w/p/c but has 6db of headroom that gets me 160 watts on peaks. It's the most powerful 40 watt amp that i've heard.

Same with rotel....I've had my eye on a rotel integrated amp to replace my nad, but at $2200, I still like my NAD. I've never had the first problem with the NAD.

I would recommend the NAD just based on my own unit. But, like anything else, all things are not equal. I am sure there are some out there who have had problems. I have not listened to any new NAD's, so I don't know if they still make their amps with the power envelope or not. Anybody else know?

[B&W Boy]

Oh, sorry. To help answer your question. I have trashed more than one tv/vcr. I think seperates would be better. If one thing goes bad your not out everything. You also have the option of replacing one or the other in the coming years without buying everything all over again.