Price Paid:  $0.00 from Local Dealer

Summary:
This is a follow-up review. I originally reviewed this in 1999 and purchased in 2000. See review far below.

I had the unit for 5 years and enjoyed it for many years but I did eventually upgrade to a Classé player. Rotels RCD991 is a high resolution unit that gives a taste of high-end sound with the use of 2x 20bit processors that are strong in retrieving details. Totally walked over lower-end units ie Rotel 971, 975 and even their new units of today.
The only glitch that ever developed was a sensitive loading tray that would close while trying to put a CD on it. This unit did play better once tweaked; using setting 3 of dither, better power cords, AC conditioning and balanced wires. The largest improvement in performance I could remember was when I upgraded the preamp from the Rotel 1090 to a Classé cp-500. This brought out the best performance ever. The presentation and realism of instruments and vocals were completely better. So much so, that it seamed as if a different version of the same recording was played. Goes to show you a preamp really makes a diffence.
This player is an over achiever and was a good investment in the old Rotel catalogue especially for its price and I had to be really convinced to let it go. Yet its in a different class when comparing to a Classé player.

Strengths:
Comparing against a Rotel 971 and 975:
Cymbal decay, MF and HF vocals were not grainy in comparison
Detail was probably 40% improved
LF tighter and deeper
Very big difference from soundstage, detail, smoothness and instruments were more naturally presented
Definitely a pleasure to listen to for hours with no ear fatigue
The player has excellent balanced outputs.
Plain looking attributes to better placed costs into sound.
Built well and was reliable.

Weaknesses:
A little murky and blurred presentation, not as much air or as deep soundstage or resolving when compared to high end players.
Only glitch that ever developed was a sensitive loading tray that would close while trying to put a CD on it.
An out-board dac would improve presentation at additional costs or just upgrade.

Similar Products Used:
Rotel 951, 971, 975, 1072, Marantz, Harmon Kardon, Pioneer Elite

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Dealer

Summary:
I have the 991AE edition which I think makes a difference over the 991 edition. I am not technical enough to write and extensive review but am completely satisfied with this CD player.

Using a better aftermaket powercord does make the sound better as does good interconnects. I like the dither settings and they do make a difference in sound and can also be defeated should you choose. I listen to it on the 3 dither setting.

I had been thinking about upgrading to the 1072 but I find after listening to each of them, I like the 991AE better.

I don't remember the price I paid but it was about 20% below retail.

At this my components are all rotel including the RB-1090, RMB-1075, RSP-1068 and RT-1080 tuner (although it would be nice to have an RT-990BX tuner). My speakers are B&W.

Strengths:
Great sound quality with a good aftermarket power cord (mid level PS Audio newer versions) and interconnects (King Cobras).

Price/valure can't be beat imo.

Finding a original owner AE edition in great shape is getting mreo difficut to find due to what I think is a better cd player than Rotel's current models.

Weaknesses:
Power cord.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom, Sony ES.

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Price Paid:  $1050.00 from New Paltz Audio

Summary:
Sound is excellent. Warm, responsive, gorgeous transparency. Fabulous bass. Put on "Also Sprach Zarathustra", turn up the volume, and you'll vault into space just like the astronaut in "2001: A Space Odyssey." Since everyone else has described the sound of the Rotel 991 fairly accurately (although I certainly don't agree with anyone who thinks it has a muddled mid-range or some such opinion), nothing I add in this department will be very meaningful.

What I want to talk about is reliability. When I got this device from New Paltz Audio (now defunct, since there wasn't much of a market upriver for real hifi), it was unable to read discs. Put in a disc, and the display would say "no disc." Hmmm. Must be something wrong with the optical reader, I thought. So I took it back and the proprietor, Fred, exchanged it for one he was keeping for himself (he only had two.) Worked fine until January 2006, when suddenly it said "No disc" when a disc was put in. OK. It's an expensive unit, and it's under warranty, so I figure I'll fix it. Just costs the Fedex charge after all. It is now a year later and the same thing has happened. "No disc." I'm not sure what I'll do, but I may junk it, believe it or not. It's not under warranty any more, and the inconvenience is more than I can tolerate. The audiophiles among you will scream. I find nothing more useless than a piece of equipment that needs repetitive repair for the same problem.

Strengths:
Great sound

Weaknesses:
Optical reader has broken down three times!

Similar Products Used:
Adcom, other Rotel units like the 971, NAD, and California Audio Labs -- another high end CD player, and the only other unit I've ever had whose drive has broken.

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from local HiFi store

Summary:
In terms of sonic performance, it's hard to find fault with this player. It sounds well-balanced and detailed.

I don't like its very laid-back sound, though. I sounds uninvolving and, therefore, uninteresting - I find that although it reproduces the music in great detail, it's not much fun listening to it. Some tones just don't sound "right".

That's why, after several months of trying to get used to this player, I finally decided to sell it and buy an NAD C542 instead. I'm even willing to put up with NADs sub-par build quality.

Objectively, the Rotel sounds better - subjectively, the NAD is more fun listening to. The latter is more important to me.

Strengths:
Sounds detailed overall, but also "warm". Never tires my ears, even after hours of listening. Good build quality.

Weaknesses:
Murky mid-range, sounds laid-back and uninvolving. Bass lacks punch. Too pricy for what it offers.

Similar Products Used:
NAD C541/C542

Price Paid:  $1000.00 from used

Summary:
The RCD 991 is stunningly good for its cost. The 991 is several good players and at least one great one (in one box!) depending on the dither setting. The differences are subtle, but distinct. Choose the one that lights your systems fire. This player is extremely musical and alive and demands high quality through out the system. The RCD 991 will rise to even greater heights when used in the balanced mode with the digital output switched off. I have heard it when compared with Stereophile class A players (Meridian, Sony ES, etc.) and it is at least comparable. Again, the dynamic presentation; that ability to express the instantly changing soft to loud or loud to silent sets this player apart from the crowd. It just digs in and gets it right! If you are looking for a laid back player that never startles you or does not allow you hear anything new on dics you have owned awhile, look elsewhere. This player is accurate. Poorly recorded discs sound just terrible, and best are often a revelation. The HDCD feature (not so many dics available) makes me wonder what all the fuss is about regarding SACD and DVD audio. No, it isn't built to last 100 years and yes a handful of CD players are probably better, but the Rotel reaches very near the top of the list and it's reasonable priced. Enjoy!

Strengths:
Superior soundstage and lively dynamics with a high level of musical detail and nuance.

Weaknesses:
This machine is built to meet a specific price point, so build quality is Toyota rather than Lexus. At about 17lbs, it's not a heavyweight with vault-like build. Very high quality parts (caps especially) used only where they matter most.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom 750, Rotel 955AX, Sony ES