This is to solicit po your honest-to-goodness inputs & not to initiate a debate on the matter :
I'm in a situation wherein am contemplating to put up a 2nd set-up inside our bedroom after buying a pair of B&W 602s3 & LCR60 w/c are now being used as front speakers & center at my HT room.....so nagkaroon ako ngayon ng spare na pair of bookshelf speakers & center (yung mga luma kong ginagamit sa HT), eh nagkataon na meron din akong extrang DVD player & 1 CD player, so amplifier or receiver nalang ang kulang for a 2nd set-up.
This is now my predicament: I would really love to build a purely audio set up & plan on getting a Rotel 02 sana, but at the back of my mind a voice is telling me that my wife & kids might not enjoy it as much as they would if a mini-HT is established instead.....the versatility & practicality of a receiver now comes into the fold.
This brings us now the question of how much advantage (difference) does an entry level integrated amplifier such as a Rotel 02 have over a so-called "musical" receiver such as an HK AVR-235 or 240? 'Night and day' ba talaga ang pagkakaiba so as to justify my being selfish in putting up a purely audio set-up instead of an HT?
Please post your inputs, thanks a lot in advance
I would not call the sonic difference "night and day" especially between entry levels and particularly when comparing the models you mentioned. Even the subtleties of the differences, if any, might escape you on a blind test.
It's a bit strained comparing an integrated stereo amp like the Rotel Ra-02 and an HT multi-channel amp like the Hk-240 or their similar entry-level models. Definitely, as far as the amplifier "versatility" is concerned, there are more features on the HT receiver, like the video switching, digital processing, audio format decoding functions and its 7.1 multichannel capabilities and sub-woofer connectivity. The RA02 is a simple analog 2-channel integrated amp, no subwoofer connectivity, no digital processing, no video switching.
As far as musicality goes, I don't think I can go wrong with either. Both can fulfill audio-only set-ups. Based on published specs, the RA02 delivers a maximum of 40watt RMS into 8 ohms both channels driven while the the HK 240 in Stereo mode delivers 65watt RMS also into 8 ohms with both chanels driven but rated at twice the THD of the Rotel. A lower THD would give Rotel a slight edge on paper (though audibly indistinguishable) but at the RA02's maximum volume the HK240 would still be far off from its clipping point. The difference is only around 1.5db, hardly noticeable by human auditory faculties. You often would need twice the power rating to yield a 3db difference in perceived loudness increment for a given volume setting.
There's often an argument for specialized equipment. 2-channel gears for audio only stereo; multichannel for HT and the newer SACD and DVD-A formats. But in general, I consider the 2-channel versus multi-channel gears as purely a matter of addition and quantity. Not so much on quality.
I think the two are in the same price point, less than 20T, if not mistaken. I leave it up to your personal value judgement to determine which gear suits your requirement. You definitely can watch a DVD movie in your bedroom with either. The rotel would only be in stereo using the stereo outs of the DVD player. No center chanel so that would leave your old center speaker very lonely. For strictly audio-only set-up, the Rotel would make a good option. It's slim and doesn't carry the bulk and heft of the HK. OTH, the HK will give you 5.1 versatility and will still sound as good in stereo or bypass mode. Plus you can use a subwoofer at line level with the HK for a 2.1 set-up if you someday find your speakers wanting in the bass department. The Rotel can also use a powered sub if you want but at speaker level connection that has the potential to increase distortion depending on the sub used.
Weigh your options with you and your family's needs to consider. Personally, with all things equal, I'd get the HK, unless I'm really just after audio only, nothing else. In which case, I'd get something else.
PS. Should you decide to get the Rotel, it should pair better with your B&W. Afterall, Rotel is the official amp for voicing and testing B&W speakers in its British factory.