Open sound

This player sounds great. Sound is more open and detailed than on the 965 BX LE, lots of air around voices and instruments, you can hear every instrument in the music.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RCD 965 BX LE

Great player for the price if you buy it used.

none that I can tell

In the quest for my first "good" CD player, I looked at several USED players in the sub-$400 range. The 970bx was the best player I heard of the three I tested. The Marantz 67se had detail, but was way too bright, almost painful with some recordings. I also thought the Marantz lacked some low-end reproduction. I liked the Rotel 940bx, but it lacked the overall detail that the Rotel 970 seemed to have. And at only $100 difference between the 940 and the 970, it seemed worth it.

I am not an Audiophile. I do not have several thousand dollars in equipment. I will say tho, that my impressions of the Rotel 970 are based on what I felt sounded good with the (<$500) worth of equipment that I DO have (Yamaha RX396 and JBL HLS610 speakers). Obviously, if you at all care about what you're spening your money on, you'll demo whatever you decide to buy on your own equipment.

I give the Rotel 970bx a 5 star value at $350 used. and 5 stars for how I think it sounds. But of course, I have never heard what a >$1000 CD player sounds like, so maybe these ratings are just a bit relative.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 940BX, Marantz CD67se

Uncoloured sounding and soidly build.

Perhaps not so 'refined' but for the price good.

The 970 BX, is a fine player for the money.
I used it for 3 years with an AUDIOLAB 8000 A Integrated amp. and the combination had a particular "magic" to it.
This player is not 'warm' or 'sweet' sounding (like the Marantz CD 63 SE, for instance), but what you get is an exact reproduction of what's on the silver disk, no more and no less.
Perfect for Classical Music listeners, where the various instruments come alive, and if there's any harshness in the sound you can be sure it's in the recording.
The negative of this is that badly recorded CD's sound exactly that...bad.
Since then my system has gone a long way, so the faithful 970 BX was traded in for the Big Brother of the ROTEL family, the mighty RHCD 10 'Mitchi', which is a player to 'die for' but then again, it costs 5 times the price..

The RCD 970 BX is a brilliant mid priced player, and if you like your music pure and simple, you will get many happy hours listening to it.

Similar Products Used:

NAD, MARANTZ CD 80, and after the ROTEL, another...ROTEL but the mighty Mitchi RHCD 10, top of the Rotel range.
Michi RHCD - 10.

Solidly built, wonderful sound

no optical output?

For anyone looking for excellent sound at a modest price, the Rotel RCD-970 is an ideal choice. The construction is solid, with a heavy faceplate and CD tray that opens and shuts with authority. But mostly what sets this unit apart from the competition is the sound. It is very musical, detailed and rhythmic. There is no trace of harshness or glare. In direct comparison with the Cambridge, I found the Rotel to go a half-octave deeper in bass, and to image precisely whereas the Cambridge tended to smear instruments across the soundstage. I haven't had the opportunity to compare it to the Rega, but would be very surprised if the Rega were more musical. You can listen to the Rotel for hours without fatigue, and with total involvement in the music. And if the price seems high to you (especially if you are used to mass-market Asian brands) keep in mind that the CD player is your source, and no matter how good the rest of your system your sound will never be better than what comes out of your CD player. I use Adcom electronics, XLO interconnects & cables, and Epos 11 speakers, and the Rotel is a wonderful match. I won't comment on the Rotel's remote as I've never used it, or on the display as I couldn't care less what it looks like as long as it sounds as sweet as this unit does. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge Audio D300

For the price not exactly a great deal. Solid construction, very solid transport mechanism, slim profile are a plus. 80's era display and remote are a big minus. The most important part.. how it sounds. Okay. For 650 its not bad. More on the warm and cozy side than a Marantz. Imaging - a bit loose. Soundstage - decent. Overall its a so-so player. If you're stuck in the 650 price range save some money and buy a Marantz SE model or spend more and get a good player like a Linn.

Crisp sharp highs. Very dynamic presentation. Build quality is excellent and solid as a rock.

Slightly muddy bass.

Very nice player overall, but in at this price point you can do better. Very solid player. Has digital out, so will make a nice transport down the road. Good choice if you are looking for a good used player with future transport possibilities.

Similar Products Used:

RCD930, RCD940, RCD950

Good definition, analitic sound, functional

A bit minimalist

I like this player cause of its analitical approach when reproducing music. You can really detect a bad recording. It has great dinamics, it matches perfectly well with different type of music (from jazz to rock to classical)
I would better describe as an all terrain cd player. In my case it makes a wonderful couple with my B&W 302 and the Rotel RBX970 amplifier.
Buy it with confidence !!!

Similar Products Used:

Arcam Alpha 7, Rotel RCD 945, Nad 312

(real) natural sound, build quality, perfect power supply

old fashion design and a realy bad Remote Contol

I buy this (used) player ca. one year ago. At listening I was negative suprised and thougt to myself : were is the all the music gone ?!
I realy felt disappointed at home listening to my favorit music in my one house at the Rotel CD 970 BX player.
Before this Rotel I listen to a Yamaha CDX 593 cd-player.

This Rotel CD player brings the music so simple and natural. (no special effects and extra tunning). It likes to me I was realy missing some stereo en depth.

But after a few weeks off listening I likes the sound better and better! And now I hear so mutch music details more. it's a good balanced player with a studdy bass, pretty fast, and a great dynamic range.

I think the company slogan is a wel choosen pay-off:
'enjoy the music'

because I realy do now!

[ I combinated this player in a set with the Rotel RA 985BX and Viva speakers.] (Viva Vivace)

Similar Products Used:

marantz cd 6000, rcd 951,

Very easy on the ears,good sounstage and bass.Smooth.

Slightly light in the low bass.

This is the player for those on a budget.This keeps up with the best of them,smooth and good sounstage.Sound is very natural,not processed.A BARGAIN,buy one and be happy.

Similar Products Used:

Wadia,Cary,BelCanto,Krell,many various others.