"British" sound at a bargain price.

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I can't really remember when I did purchase my RB-850s (I have 2 in stereo mode bi-amplifying my speakers - one for the tweeter, one for the woofers), but I'm sure it was in the mid-80s at a time when Rotel was going to stop making them.
I've had two other integrated amps before this setup - a Yamaha (my first - and a complete joke) and a Rotel RA-820BX3 that I still have in a secondary setup. But when I got these, complete whith an RC-850 Rotel pre-amp, I stoped worrying about amplification... and I probably will for another ten years or so!
The sound is very "british" (i.e., "flat" in terms of frequency response), which I like very much, and the amps can handle really diverse kinds of music, from pop to jazz to classic to heavy metal.
They just don't make it like this anymore...

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RC-850 (pre-amp); Rotel RA-820BX3 (integrated amp).

Clean power, clean design, real power

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I love these amps. I have had two for about ten years and they are powerhouses. I used them in bridged mono to drive my Kef 104/2's and they pushed with no problem. Great sound and super tight base. I have fixed blown fuses and resistors a couple of times due to user error but they are worth the fuss. They are probably better than some of the new high end amps that come along. I recently had one tested and it still pulls 30 amps. This is the real power rating. It has plenty of reserves for hitting the bursts. I would love to buy a couple more if anyone is selling.

I bought the Rotel RB-850 several years ago as a close-out. I was able to open the case in the store and inspect the quality craftsmanship of the unit.
It is a joy to use with dual transformers. Both channels are on the same board but dual mirror in layout.

I've modified my amp extensively.

I've added a 10K-ohm/1k-ohm L-Pad on the input(internally rewired from the input jacks to the main board.

I've added a delay speaker-on relay on the speaker outputs.

I've added front panel channel on/off switches.

I've added a remote relay turn-on control(120VAC relay)

I've bypassed the bridged mono switch to always stereo.

I've wired the bridged mono front mounted LED to be a second power indicator.

Loads of fun and works like a charm.

I was going to use it as a Tweeter amp with my two AudioControl electronic cross-overs but it works great as a sub-amp.

Best $250 spent on an amp. . .

clean sound

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I use this amp in bridged mode to power my PSB Image 9c center channel speaker. I'm very happy with the sound and would highly recommend this amp.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston 2B, Yamaha M35