Nice features, compact and light. Remote. Quality--should hold up well.

Music is not very dynamic. Too warm, I think. Detail is lacking.

When I found a demo on sale ($525) I was excited because I had read about this piece and anticipated a great listening experience. I have a Denon DCM-370 cd changer with HDCD and Acoustic Energy Aegis One speakers. Steve Gutenberg at etown.com had suggested this system. I have used the Aegis Ones with an AMC combo which sounded terrific and detailed, though light on the bottom end. I wound up returning the AMC because of hardware failure and the poorly designed pre-amp. But the sound with the Aegis One's was incredibly engaging. As to the Rotel RA-972: it does not live up to its predecessor, the RA-971.
I don't know if better interconnects and speaker cable would help with the Arcam, but there is no zest to the music and the Aegis One's suddenly sound like little black boxes. I will try some tweaks, but am disappointed.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RA-972, AMC 2N100-2 power amp and AMC AV81 pre-amp combination

nice warm sound balanced

gee, i wish it was cold and harsh because that sounds so good

sounds great and good price kills the main channels of my top-yamaha, i easily recommend it. it sounds great with my klipschs (edgy cold sound of ala B&W speakers (tinny) is to my disliking) Seriously, arcam + klipsch is great coltrane (and cannibal corpse too.) I had enough money to buy almost whatever, except -whatever- but this piece sounds so nice, hell i even took my speakers with me. Audio is not an exact science, just personal taste and for $400 (used) you can be happy now and in the future and next year IF you want something else. I doubt it. if you don't believe me just look at the top-parts inside.
please try it, possibly the best a/v system upgrade for 2ch under 2k, and it's under 1k.

current system
klipsch rf3
-s6
-c7
-ksw300
yamaha dspa-3090 ac3 surround and center
arcam alpha 8 main channels
sony ax20es cdp modified to arcam
pioneer cdr 509 modified
project 1.2 turntable to arcam
pionner elite cld-79 ac3 ld
toshiba 2300 dvd/hdcd
jvc svhs
panasonic vhs
apex a600 modifed dvd
sima scc color processor
panasonic 35inch panablack calibrated
panasonic 13inch pro ag
z-man ase modified (sometimes for fun)
technics parametric eq (sometimes for fun)
sony hi8 pcm vcr evs900
sound organ. racks
radio shack, kimber, moster cables

Similar Products Used:

rotel, nad, others