Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This review is for the Rotel RC-03 as combined with the Rotel RB-03 to form a working amplifier. I am comparing it with all the integrated amplifiers (Denon, Marantz, Akai, Yamaha) that I've known.

My own experience has been that this Rotel combination easily beats some of the best integrated amplifiers out there in terms of "musical power", which I would describe as an ability to handle with ease and grace the peaks and troughs of loudness in musical passages. When you hear the Rotel play, you just know that it would never "miss a beat" -- the musical notes coming from it are just so sure-footed, they fill one's heart with joy.

Even though it is only rated at 50 watts rms, the Rotel combination sounds cleaner and more assured at normal listening volumes than even the respectable Yamaha AX-596, which rated at 100 watts rms.

The other thing about this Rotel combination is the very affordable price ($1000 AUS for both), considering the potential enjoyment that it can provide in comparison to the very best integrated amplifiers in the market today.

Price Paid:  $450.00 from Hifi Studio Zwaard

Summary:
The Rotel RC-03 is a simple and straight preamp with a dynamic en lovely soundquality. The only drawback is that is just has one tape in/out connection. For the money this is a very good one. I compared it with the good NAD C160 and I found the Rotel much more natural sounding with more space, dynamics and less sterile sound. I use the RC-03 with the Rotel RB-03 power amplifier.

Robin

Strengths:
Sound
Build
Simple design
Price

Weaknesses:
Just one tape in/out connection

Similar Products Used:
NAD C160 preamp