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Rotel 991? Opinions?

K

Kcusick81

New Member
What's up folks?

I've got a chance to buy a Rotel RB 991 (200 wpc) for $395. Anyone have any experience or opinions about this amp? I currently have a Marantz 2230 and a Sansui 881 and would most likely use one of those as a preamp to the Rotel to drive some Infinity CS-3008'S. There's also a Marantz 250 (125 wpc) that I may have a chance to get for a good price that needs some servicing. I'm curious about the pairing of either of my current receivers with Rotel and if you think $395 is a good price? Or should I hold out and try to snag the 250??

Thanks in advance for your help!
 
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I have what I assume is its predecessor the RB 990BX.
I'm using it with speakers that drop down to 2 ohms. No issues, though it does run a little warm. I'm not sure I'd say "hot" since I can place my hands on top of it and keep them there longer than momentarily.
Warm enough the heat produced keeps me from using it for back ground music on warm days here.
The extra heat in the winter isn't a bad thing.
It appears the 991 has exposed (?)cooling fins on the front of the unit. My 990BX has cooling fins enclosed inside the case.
No sure what that means as far as heat produced and the dispersion of that heat.
 
Is that better than Parasound, or Acurus offerings in that power/price range.
 
goodolpg said:
I have what I assume is its predecessor the RB 990BX.
I'm using it with speakers that drop down to 2 ohms. No issues, though it does run a little warm. I'm not sure I'd say "hot" since I can place my hands on top of it and keep them there longer than momentarily.
Warm enough the heat produced keeps me from using it for back ground music on warm days here.
The extra heat in the winter isn't a bad thing.
It appears the 991 has exposed (?)cooling fins on the front of the unit. My 990BX has cooling fins enclosed inside the case.
No sure what that means as far as heat produced and the dispersion of that heat.
Click to expand...
What do you think about the price of 400 bones? Worth it?
 
goodolpg said:
If working as it should, at this point in time I think that is a fair price.
Not a score, but not way out of line either. Ebay seems to agree.
Recent ebay completed sales... https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...93&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=10&rt=nc&LH_Complete=1
FWIW---my 990BX is running Infinity RS II's. The Crescendos should be a much easier load for an amp.
Click to expand...
I very much appreciate your response. One more question for you. Do you have any experience with Crown amplifiers? I know they are traditionally used in professional set-ups but seem to be picking up steam in the world of home stereo Hi-Fi. Also, at the price range that they go for, I could potentially get two. Which would allow me to biamp the crescendos. Thoughts?
 
Funny you would ask...I do have a "modern" Crown. A class D amp, the XLS 2000. The Crown and the Rotel rotate in and out though the Rotel has been in my main system quite a while now, maybe a year or more.
I bought my Crown when its series was discontinued, got if for half price, new in box with warranty. I keep looking at the new series figuring sooner or later MAYBE they will go on sale half off when discontinued. Hasn't happened yet.
I have no experience with older Crowns. Many AK'ers like them. They seem to be well built. Other AK'ers would never have one, because of fan noise or sound quality.
 
Love my Rotel RB-981 (130wpc) which is the smaller / slightly older brother of the RB-991.
I'd grab the Rotel,IMO they are great sounding amps that punch above the wpc ratings.

Agree w/goodolpg the price is reasonable,not a score but not over-priced either.
Typically with "budget minded" power amps if you can get them for $1.50 to $2.00 per wpc that's pretty good.

And ask me the Rotel + Infinity combo should be an excellent match.

FWIW

Bret P.
 
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