ROTEL RMB-1066 Amplifiers

ROTEL RMB-1066 Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

60 watts x 6 into 8 ohms, 70 watts x 5 into 8 ohms, 150 watts x 3 into 8 ohms, 12V trigger input, auto on, internal input link for custom applications, daisy chain output, input level control, removeable power cord

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 11  
[Jun 30, 2023]
Breana


Strength:

This product is so great! I want to use this. Medical Converting Company

Weakness:

none so far

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jun 22, 2023]
chaples19


Strength:

The Supra Lorad power cables were not a good match at all and the high frequencies where too harsh and over powered. Sound was distant and a bit flat. Now I can crank the volume way up and enjoy real hi fi music with bass and soundstage. radiator repair service

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Feb 06, 2023]
yvettem


Strength:

Sober black fascia has some ugliness but once you turn it on, you just listen to the music. And for vinyl junkies like me it has a splendid m/m phono stage to boot. I compared it with Sugden A21a (runs too hot), Lavardin IS (impressive sound but lacks the nerve to drive my speakers), Tulare Mobile Truck Repair

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Oct 27, 2022]
specification166


Strength:

The mid is also great, but compared to the bass, it's ever so slighly lacking. I'll have to tweak the setting to make the transition between bass and mid smooth. Otherwide, mid drowns in bass. It's unfortunate, because it's not that mid is bad, but bass is so superior. Now...the tweeter. Regina emergency roadside Truck Repair

Weakness:

None . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Aug 25, 2022]
ampva301


Strength:

Smooth, somewhat warm sound, good dynamics, imaging, and soundstage, very quiet, cool-running, dependable, well-built, and adaptable setups | bollard installation

Weakness:

I am still observing, and as of now, I have none.

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 02, 2020]
gabrielahammond4


Strength:

This amplifier has good dynamics, it make the sounds smooth and warm as well. Chain Link Fences

Weakness:

This is a hard amplifier to get a hold of. All local Rotel dealerships wanted me to special order it from them instead of them stocking it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 01, 2020]
surfnetb


Strength:

This amplifier is a beast and never get hot even when pushed hard, sound is precise with more details I ever had with my other amps, can't even hear any distortion when I push the volume really high

Weakness:

Could be a little more warm in the bass but then it could be simply because I'm used to my other tube amp. Otherwise this amp is a fantastic complement to drive all my front speakers in my home theatre with no problem at all. I was very lucky to get it second hand for less than half its retail price.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 28, 2017]
Bjarne
Audio Enthusiast

I bought this amp used a couple of months ago. I found it hard to find actual reviews so i just took the chance. I have a yamaha avr unit with pre out and 7x90w in 8ohm. My fronts are a pair of trusty old Dali 18 (A quite hungry speaker). So i was looking for an amp with a solid power supply that would cope with the 2-3ohm the speaker is at some frequences. My Yamaha was set to biamp the front speakers and the Rotel is configured to 5x70w (Fronts biamped and center driven by the fifth channel. What happend when i switched to the on paper weaker rotel - well quite a lot! In stereo the bass tightened a lot, no boominess and drumms and bass is very controlled. The midtone is very detailed and the hightone is super smooth and never ever harsh. There is lots of details and the soundstage is quite precise. Back to the yamaha - the sound flattens and especially the bass range becomes flat and dull. The center became much more clear and well defined. This amp clearly has a lot more muscles than the yamaha despite the weaker specifications. The weight of the rotel tells another story than the power ratings compared to the yamaha - the huge torodial transformer clearly plays a role in this.

In sourround mode the advantages just becomes more apparent. Voices a much more defined and evennthe most complex scenes does not cause this rotel to loose its breath - it just keep going.

I can clearly recommend this amp, even dificult speaker loads is handled with no problems.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 25, 2006]
technophile
AudioPhile

Strength:

Flexibility (6 channel bridging/biamping)
Price
Rotel torroidal transformer technology
Space saving (its only 4 3/4" high)
Musical amp

Weakness:

60x6 could be outgrown easily...

The following is my setup:
PRE: Proceed AVP2
Front/Center Amp: Proceed HPA3
Rear/Zone 2 Amp: Rotel RMB1066
Speakers Front: B&W CDM7NT
Speaker Center: B&W HTM-2
Speakers Rear: B&W CDM1NT
Speakers Zone 2 (Outdoor): B&W LM1

My reasons for buying before trying: 1. my shelf was only 6" high, and this amp is only 4 3/4" high, and 2. I have heard other Rotel RB products in stereo and I must say "very musical" compared to most other amps in the same price category, 3. Flexibility needed in configuring the setup of the amp, and 4. just for rear and outdoor speakers $475 for a brand new unopened box 6 channel Rotel amp is not a bad deal.

My configuration of the RMB1066 is as follows: Channels 1/2 biamped (not bridged) for left rear, Channels 3/4 biamped (again not bridged), Channels 5 and 6 for my outdoor stereo speakers. Sound quality wise there is a noticeable improvement in sound quality (which is already good in the stereo mode) in the biamped mode vs the bridged mode as explained below.

I spoke to a couple of dealers before doing this and they both agreed that rotel generates more than twice the power by boosting the voltage a bit to generate the 150W vs the 60+60=120. However, with bridging, the current does drop a bit and is probably the reason for the distortion at very high levels as indicated in another reviewers post. Also please note how Rotel tries to specify 8 ohm minimum speakers in the bridged mode and apply this with logic that the lower frequencies need higher current to power, and the ohmage of mid and bass driver speakers is always less than 8 in 8 ohm speakers. Hence, both people I spoke to highly recommended biamping as compared to the bridging.

I tried both configurations and did notice sonic improvements at mid and high volume levels, meaning better balance of lows and mids with highs at all volume levels with the biamping. The sound goes brighter at the higher volume levels in the bridged mode, but not in the biamped mode. This may be something you want to try out because ultimately you are going to be the one to make the choice between the two methods of boosting power and go with one you prefer.

Another point of note, the signal sense input is nice in stereo mode but if your configuration is like mine where this amp only powers the rear speakers, the amp does keep shutting off during movies. Hence, make use of the 12V trigger. Rotel supplies a 3 foot 12v cable. i needed a 6 foot cable and picked up a 6 foot stereo headphone extension cable from radioshack that does the job. note: do not try and use attenuating cables as they will not work the trigger- i found that out the hard way without checking the specs of the cable.

Overall: good sounding amp, great value for money especially if you are just starting out with HT or Stereo, or need a specialized setup for yourself, the flexibility in its configuration takes future needs into account.

Similar Products Used:

Proceed, Pioneer, NAD, Rotel, Carver/Sunfire

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 16, 2004]
cc1091
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Versatility. No coloration of sound. Power if run at 60 watts or at 150.

Weakness:

The switching on the back to get to bridged mode is a little convoluted. The auto sensing control that turns power on if you don't have the 12v trigger on your preamp is not sensitive enough and keeps turning off while audio is playing, fortunately you can choose between that setting, 12v trigger or you can turn those features off.

This is a hard amplifier to get a hold of. All local Rotel dealerships wanted me to special order it from them instead of them stocking it. A new local dealer had ONE, so I snapped it up. I bought it for its capability to be bridged and run three channels at 150 watts. With the amplifier bridged, it is supposed to be have a little more distortion. I can't hear it. It matches well with my Rotel Rb991, and runs a little cooler too. I was surprised when I switched it to 6 channel mode. It had some punch and maintained its strength and clarity.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RB991 (stereo amp). Adcom 535 (stereo Amp). NAD 7130(stereo receiver). Denon 2701 (surround receiver)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 11  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com