Old amps

[Sabby]

Anyone out there still using old amps from Rotel, Nad, etc. How do they compare to modern amps? I managed to acquire a Rotel RB960BX power amp to add to my HT system. My multi-channel amp is the Marantz SR5600 and although it sounds fairly good with music, the Rotel seems to dig out more detail and creates a bigger soundstage. I am planning on getting a second Rotel and bridging them in mono mode. Any opinions on this?

 

[pauldownton1979]

i have the ra-820ax very good for the £30 i paid for it but probably betterd by new models from marantz cambridge and rotel rhemselves. its a great way to get a decent cheap setup tho. my rcd965bx cdp is fantastic and i picked it up for 99p just because the eject button fascia was missing. its in perfect working order.

 

[plastic penguin]

Hi

I'm not familiar with the models you've mentioned, but older models still make a lot of sense. Although, you can maximise the sound quality and this depends on the partnering equipment. What speakers do you have or plan to buy?

 

[Anonymous]

have a pioneer A400 amp (£70)

a Marantz CD63 MKII signature CD player (£130)

B&W DM2 speakers (1st version-3 way transmission speakers) - £50

all bought off ebay within the past 3 weeks ...

waiting for my silver highbreed interconnects and silver high breed speaker cable ... so dont know the outcome yet, but hoping it sounds ok

 

[Sabby]

I am currently running Monitor Audio S6's via Audioquest T4 speaker cable, which is also quite old. I have been told that the MA's need lots of power, preferably between 120 to 160 watts, so bridging the Rotels would be a good way to achieve this.

 

[Anonymous]

I recently purchased the Rotel '870 2-channel Pre-amplifier and 2-channel Power Amplifier combination.

For what I paid for the combination, I think that I did quite well.

My separate 2-channel system is far from ideal currently, but I am aware that this hobby is a never-ending quest, so I shan't be too worried!

Currently, my 2-channel system consists of:

Rotel '870 pre-amplifier

Rotel '870 power amplifier

Cyrus CD 8 SE CD Player with Cyrus PSX-R fully-regulated out-board power supply

B&W 685 loudspeakers on B&W FS700 loudspeaker stands

Dan.