Summary: finally, an amp that can drive B & W speakers! i could never understand why the music sounded 'not good' on B & W speakers with Marnatz or any other receivers... finally got the rotel combo of amp and pre amp and behold, awesome!!! these can drive B & W like a horse..and no fatigue with speakers because Rotel delivers pure music every itme according to the recording!
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Summary: If possible, and if time permits, I'd like to thread 4 yellow rubberrings around my husbands erect manhood and walk naked through the streets of an high-income neighbourhood. In summer of course, or else the rubberrings might fall off.
Summary: I bought this amp in April 2006. Having had Rotel gear before with a RC 980 preamp mixed with a RB 970 BX II amp, I knew what to expect somewhat. I use this amp with a RC 995 preamp today. I bought mine as a demo since it was all they had left. That saved me 25% off the list price which ended up being $750 Canadian. I was very happy about that. The same day I got the amp I also picked up a set of new B&W 602 s3 speakers. I used to have the 602 s2 before, so I also knew what to expect. With the 995 pre and 1070 amp- I get a decent quality sound that one would expect in this price range. It can easily crank loud if needed, but I dont often go beyond 9 oclock on the preamp. The sound is smooth and works well with the speakers. Ive heard many times Rotel is a good match with B&W speakers. Not suprising the two companies are owned by one parent company. I heard Classe components with the B&Ws and though nice, did not impress me considering they are high end. Rotel many not be as refined, but can pass for quality. My stereo room is not setup at its best due to space considerations, so I cant give an impression much on the spacial-dimensional quality of this amp. When it gets moved into another place with a bigger room, then I can tell how good it is. But based on what I've heard so far, its a good amp. I has plenty of power to pound on those high impact moments with classical music. The juice this thing puts out reminded me of my previous Rotel 970 amp- its got balls. It may not be as smooth or soft as I had it with my Luxman hybrid integrated amp I had years past, but that unit had tubes- so there is the difference. But the Rotel definately has the extra power for transients unlike the Luxman. I'll give another review in the future when I get to know this system better. My plan in the future is to keep the Rotel and have it power the bass speakers on a set of B&W 804s, and run a tube amp for the mids and highs. I may switch to a tube preamp by then which means my Rotel preamp will get duty elsewhere or be sold off. Keep in mind Rotel is starting to produce Class D digital power amps, so how long these old design amps will be around is anyones guess.
Strengths: Plenty of power for transient notes
Clean power
Nice looking amp
Good basic design
Quality parts inside
Weaknesses: Not as smooth sounding or soft as tube like amps
Might be a bit bright which is typical of Rotel gear
Similar Products Used: Rotel RB 970 BX II amp
Luxman LV 103 amp
Denon PMA 300 amp
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Summary: I have a pair of Adcom 565 mono's with a DC offset problem on one of them. I can't get anyone to swap out the electrolytic capacitors on the boards connected to the heat synchs. I understand that they leak and this leads to a loud thump sound when I turn on the unit and it is cold. It will cost me about $400 to replace and swap out the electrolytics on both and I don't know what with cleaning of the boards and all. Am wondering if it is worth it. Now to the point. I picked up the Rotel RB 1070 at Stereo Exchange after hearing and reading rave reviews. I'd like the 1080 or 1090 but my budget could only swing the rb 1070. I have a pair of DQ 20 speakers and an Adcom preamp. My first impressions were that the bass was more present than with the Adcom monos and that the amp was a little bright. I am hoping that aspect mellows with some burn in time.
Strengths: POWER
Nice mids, authoritative bass (a bit boomier than I am used too but my speakers and amps are both about 17 years old though the speakers have been redone as they are legendary and probably the most irreplaceable part of my system for me; but fairly adequate sound duplication without any EQ which I only believe is good for 78 rpm recordings and the like). The brightness has lessened a bit and with some tweaking of speaker positioning I probably will just keep the 1070 and maybe buy another and mono bridge them. That seems like a better long term investment than resurrecting the 565s which I love but alas, unless I can swap out the electrolytic capacitors and clean the boards myself I am SOL.
As to the Rotel's strengths
10:00 on the gain is about as far as I need to turn it and I am replacing two mega power amps Adcom 565s. It has major power. I am driving 4 ohm speakers with it and I put it in a rack system cabinet and bought a clip on desk fan to provide extra cooling to the back of the rack. I have 4 inches head clearance and about an inch on the sides.
For the price: I haven't heard anything comparable.
For those with too much money to waste, send me your used, tired, poor audio equipment cause I'm a bang for the buck guy and though "freedom may be another word for nothing left to lose," freedom is not having a DC Offset blowing your legendary speakers quick fuse every time you power it up.
Oh yeah and they can be bridged for mono so that when I can swing another one I can have 2 mono's again.
Weaknesses: It doesn't have the soundstage that the 565s provided.
The power cord.
A little bright but depends on preamp, speakers etc and I have excellent speakers and preamp IMHO.
Imaging is good but hard too compare with 2 $900 monos though I may try bridging 2 of the Rotels and see how that sounds.
Similar Products Used: Adcom 565 amps and preamp
Threshold 100 W Amp
Adcom 4000 ???
Have listened to many systems at audio shows and w/friends
Levinson
McIntosh Tube monos
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Summary: I've had this amp for 8 months now, and I'm very pleased with it.
Its hooked up to a Acurus preamp, along with a Rotel CD player going into my Quad 11 speakers.
The combination of these components rock.
I also have a Klipsch Reference 10" subwoofer that is sometimes hooked up to this system.
I could not be happier with what I hear. My current sound room is pretty small, measuring about 12x11 with a cathedral ceiling. The sound is crystal clear, with no distortion what so ever. The Quads alone, are capable of producing enough lows, but with the help of the Sub it opens up a new demension for the lows. The Klipsch Reference 10 is very musical. Its not boomy at all. When set up correctly you won't even know its in the room, but what a difference it makes.
Anyone looking for a pure audio thrill would be happy with all of the components I have put together.
Strengths: Quiet, Solid, comes with a great warranty which I doubt I will need.
Weaknesses: NONE
Similar Products Used: Onkyo, Kenwood, Pioneer.
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