Rotel Receiver Identification Needed
- Thread starter Mumbles
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Thanks guys. Google and HiFi Engine also confirm it as a 33 - 35 Watt RX 503.
Any opinions on this model?
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Thorsten R.
Super Member
We sold them when new. Nice receivers. Back then brands like Pioneer were more wanted, but the Rotels were good. We still have a RX-303 in the family. My sister - as women are - wanted to throw that thing away. Together with a Dual 502 and nice Heco speakers. All from 1978. Of course I rescued these things. The RX-303 got a complete recap (mostly modern Wima foils). I liked the very good pcb layout. Where possible absolute symmetrical left to right. The little receiver sounded sweet - not worse than my Pioneer SX-550. Well today it sits - in my sisters living room. Her much more modern system stopped working - unrepairable, even for me.
i've never heard any from that series. i've got a few rotel pieces. low power and high power, older and newer and have no complaints.
RX-503 for sure. I've had a couple in this model series across my bench, years ago. Nice, solid designs that weren't difficult to work on, and by my recollection sounded quite good. Rotel seems to be a bit overlooked among vintage gear; it's around, and some models see pretty serious money on resale (RX-1603 for example) but since they were a smaller player in the market against the likes of Sansui, Marantz, Pioneer, etc., they didn't sell as much, and now 50 years on are not as common to see around.
Still, they are probably slightly better known than Hitachi, Toshiba and NEC, all of whom put forth solid efforts during the 70's, but never attained "major player" status. And I have to say I like the aesthetic treatment on their receivers of this era. The rack handles, and the unusual offset in the dial glass window are unique touches that kind of set these apart.
Still, they are probably slightly better known than Hitachi, Toshiba and NEC, all of whom put forth solid efforts during the 70's, but never attained "major player" status. And I have to say I like the aesthetic treatment on their receivers of this era. The rack handles, and the unusual offset in the dial glass window are unique touches that kind of set these apart.
doctor fuse
Super Member
Hey my neighbour Monsieur Bubbles, I follow the local used Hifi channels and haven't come across that Rotel. Did you get it?
Not yet. It's an auction I'm watching and the bidding was climbing but has now stalled. I just might rehone my sniper skills at the end like I used to do on Flea Bay.
The only Rotel I'm familiar with is a RX-400A I have sitting here. It needed work when I acquired it but was a fairly easy fix as the boards are basically the same as the ones in the Harman/Kardon 330A's I have and I believe they were built by Roland in Japan. That might explain the good sound.
OK Doc, since I'm a nice guy, I'll show you where it's at. There's five hours to go but a person also has to take in account the 18% buyers premium they add on to the winning bid.
Go easy on me if you are bidding on it as I had to cash in a bunch of cans and bottles this morning to help cover it if I win!
are you seeing all the cosmetic issues on your screen because on my screen it says pass.
doctor fuse
Super Member
Don't worry, I have way too much gear to bid on it (just bought a Bogen tube receiver that I don't really need haha - but tube gear and moving coil cartridges seem to be the only things I can't say no to these days).
Good luck on your bidding!
Ha Ha, I haven't reached that plateau yet but solid state and MM carts are keeping me happy for the timebeing.