technophile

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.80 of 5, 5.00 votes

Price Paid:  $475.00 from audiogon

Summary:
The following is my setup:
PRE: Proceed AVP2
Front/Center Amp: Proceed HPA3
Rear/Zone 2 Amp: Rotel RMB1066
Speakers Front: B&W CDM7NT
Speaker Center: B&W HTM-2
Speakers Rear: B&W CDM1NT
Speakers Zone 2 (Outdoor): B&W LM1

My reasons for buying before trying: 1. my shelf was only 6" high, and this amp is only 4 3/4" high, and 2. I have heard other Rotel RB products in stereo and I must say "very musical" compared to most other amps in the same price category, 3. Flexibility needed in configuring the setup of the amp, and 4. just for rear and outdoor speakers $475 for a brand new unopened box 6 channel Rotel amp is not a bad deal.

My configuration of the RMB1066 is as follows: Channels 1/2 biamped (not bridged) for left rear, Channels 3/4 biamped (again not bridged), Channels 5 and 6 for my outdoor stereo speakers. Sound quality wise there is a noticeable improvement in sound quality (which is already good in the stereo mode) in the biamped mode vs the bridged mode as explained below.

I spoke to a couple of dealers before doing this and they both agreed that rotel generates more than twice the power by boosting the voltage a bit to generate the 150W vs the 60+60=120. However, with bridging, the current does drop a bit and is probably the reason for the distortion at very high levels as indicated in another reviewers post. Also please note how Rotel tries to specify 8 ohm minimum speakers in the bridged mode and apply this with logic that the lower frequencies need higher current to power, and the ohmage of mid and bass driver speakers is always less than 8 in 8 ohm speakers. Hence, both people I spoke to highly recommended biamping as compared to the bridging.

I tried both configurations and did notice sonic improvements at mid and high volume levels, meaning better balance of lows and mids with highs at all volume levels with the biamping. The sound goes brighter at the higher volume levels in the bridged mode, but not in the biamped mode. This may be something you want to try out because ultimately you are going to be the one to make the choice between the two methods of boosting power and go with one you prefer.

Another point of note, the signal sense input is nice in stereo mode but if your configuration is like mine where this amp only powers the rear speakers, the amp does keep shutting off during movies. Hence, make use of the 12V trigger. Rotel supplies a 3 foot 12v cable. i needed a 6 foot cable and picked up a 6 foot stereo headphone extension cable from radioshack that does the job. note: do not try and use attenuating cables as they will not work the trigger- i found that out the hard way without checking the specs of the cable.

Overall: good sounding amp, great value for money especially if you are just starting out with HT or Stereo, or need a specialized setup for yourself, the flexibility in its configuration takes future needs into account.

Strengths:
Flexibility (6 channel bridging/biamping)
Price
Rotel torroidal transformer technology
Space saving (its only 4 3/4" high)
Musical amp

Weaknesses:
60x6 could be outgrown easily...

Similar Products Used:
Proceed, Pioneer, NAD, Rotel, Carver/Sunfire

cc1091

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5, 8.00 votes

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Local audio store

Summary:
This is a hard amplifier to get a hold of. All local Rotel dealerships wanted me to special order it from them instead of them stocking it. A new local dealer had ONE, so I snapped it up. I bought it for its capability to be bridged and run three channels at 150 watts. With the amplifier bridged, it is supposed to be have a little more distortion. I can't hear it. It matches well with my Rotel Rb991, and runs a little cooler too. I was surprised when I switched it to 6 channel mode. It had some punch and maintained its strength and clarity.

Strengths:
Versatility. No coloration of sound. Power if run at 60 watts or at 150.

Weaknesses:
The switching on the back to get to bridged mode is a little convoluted. The auto sensing control that turns power on if you don't have the 12v trigger on your preamp is not sensitive enough and keeps turning off while audio is playing, fortunately you can choose between that setting, 12v trigger or you can turn those features off.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel RB991 (stereo amp). Adcom 535 (stereo Amp). NAD 7130(stereo receiver). Denon 2701 (surround receiver)

Price Paid:  $599.00 from Authorized Retailer

Summary:
I purchased the current version of this amp, the RMB-1066, to power the L/C/R channels of my Pioneer Elite VSX-24TX receiver. My evaluation is primarily a comparison vs. the amp section of the Pioneer. This amp is run in bridged, 3-channel mode, which is rated at 150 watts RMS X 3. My speakers are Vandersteen 1C, with a VCC-1 center, and a Def Tech PF-15 subwoofer. Cables are Monster Z and Reference. Overall, there was a noticeable improvement in some areas over the Pioneer. Dynamics got a modest boost, as well as detail. Stereo imaging improved, especially with regard to width, and to a lesser degree, hieght. It could be due to other system/room factors, but depth is somewhat flat, as it was with the Pioneer. The sound is a bit less compressed at high volume, although there is still considerable blurring of individual instruments at these high volumes. The sound is to the warm side of neutral, similar in this regard to the Pioneer. "Air" is improved, and there is also less grain than with the Pioneer. Noise and hum are not audible. The amp has performed flawlessly and never gets more than slightly warm to the touch. Build quality is excellent. Ultimately, I still want more from my L/C/R amp, and I will eventually look for a higher-end 3-channel amp and move the Rotel to the rear channels. However, for the money, I feel this amp offers great flexibility and value.

Strengths:
Smooth, slightly warm sound, good dynamics, good imaging and soundstage, very quiet, cool-running, reliable, well built, flexible configurations.

Weaknesses:
Not the last word in current muscle.

Similar Products Used:
Pioneer Elite VSX-24TX receiver, Onkyo TXVS-515 Pro Receiver