Rotel RC-971/Rotel RB-971 Amplifier

Buying a new amplifier for audio set, it is always useful to remember about its further upgrade. Maybe, with the lapse of time you will want to place a subwoofer or vocalize the next room, or make a theatre... And not yet unclaimed additional possibilities will come in handy here. Rotel RC-971 preamplifier allows the connecting of two power amplifiers, for example RB-971 (in basic configuration), and one more output stays reserved. The detachment of amplifier on 2 separate blocks - power amplifier RB-971 itself and preamplifier RC-971 - allows to avoid a "clutter" of faceplate and back panel and, above all, to separate completely high current circuit from "soft" levels of arising audio signal. Occasionally looking at this devise, stuffed by different numbers, points and so on, you think, that this is not a common amplifier, but a fanciful measurer. The experts from Rotel decided reasonably, that you won't hit on the idea to set, for example, bass controller exactly at the point of 1.3 dB or volume level on 35 units. That's why the faceplate and control elements are free from redundant information, there are no unnecessary inscriptions. And every detail is in its proper place. As mathematicians say, it is indispensably and enough. The preamplifier has the output for headphones, timbre's controllers of high and low frequencies with fixation in the middle position, switchable tone correction. Volume controller is made in the form of two coaxial handles. Force of friction holds them quite strongly, but, restraining the one, you can control the volume with the another, installing necessary balance. The input selector (five pairs of RCA) and key Recording, which allows to record on a tape recorder independent of listening, are added to all abovementioned. Perhaps, only the corrector MM-MC for vinyl disks pick-up is missed in this "gentlemen's" set. Power output of strong part of the tandem RB-971 is 70W per channel at capacity of 8 Ohm, and 95W at capacity of 4 Ohm acoustic. It should be mentioned, that RB-971 can be used in "mono" mode (at bridge connection power output increases to 180W). The device, pretending to audiophile level by its schemata, is wished to have more solid terminals for connection of speaker systems. In passport the range of timbre control at low and high frequencies is +/-6 dB (twice in relation with starting level). The real measured meanings amount a somewhat larger value, but only in negatives direction. It should be noticed here, that at the contraction of volume the ear sensitivity is reduced to low and high frequencies. This situation can be corrected by compensative raise of suitable timbres. Quite a small control range although doesn't allow to solve the problem of loudness completely, but the depth of timbre correction is chosen by the creators nonrandom. Linear and phase distortions of signal, putting by the timbre controls, rise with the increase of this range. Evidently, that's why the experts of Rotel stopped at the golden mean and, for greater severity, placed the cutout button of timbres. The speakers, being different for class and the price, helped us to evaluate the sound. It must be said, that Rotel cooperated with partners easy, despite of ranks and regalia. At chamber jazz compositions a real breath of saxophone and low bass notes of contrabass were communicated with tonal and dynamic exactness. We ranked well the ability to separate fine sound details of instrumental music on the background of the power of symphony orchestra. Only nuances at playing the harpsichord in the choir and orchestra, and a rather modest structure of space on the recordings of classical repertory made us to remember about the price of this device.