New Rotel RMB MKII Multichannel Amps Launched
Rotel's new home theatre amplifiers offer seven 155-watt channels or five 210-watt channels from the RMB-1587MKII and RMB-1585MKII, respectively.
Rotel's RMB-1587MKII and RMB-1585MKII home cinema amplifiers measure 24 x 43 x 46cm (HxWxD) before you add the optional rack mounting ears and will no doubt make a statement in your home cinema room, as it would be a shame to lock these away in a cabinet and miss out on Rotel's trademark brushed metal finish and those purposeful vents.
Rotel tells us that both new models feature a Class AB amplifier design built around a pair of oversized, in-house manufactured toroidal transformers feeding eight high-efficiency bulk storage capacitors totalling 120,000uF. Keeping things under control in the heat department is a quartet of thermostat-controlled, variable-speed ultra-low-noise fans.
Behind the enigmatic fascias, you either get seven channels of 155 watts each at 8 ohms from the RMB-1587MKII or 210 watts through each of the RMB-1585MKII's five channels. Drop down to 4 ohms, and you get 250 watts or 340 watts per channel, respectively. If you decide to use them in stereo, we are told the RMB-1587MKII will produce 335 wpc, whereas the RMB-1585MKII is apparently good for a whopping 440 watts per channel.
Around the rear of both models, you will find an array of RCA and Balanced XLR inputs with auto-switching to the connected inputs. There is also a 12 V trigger input and output for simplified power control.
Besides their power output, the main difference is that the RMB-1585MKII can be configured as a 3-Channel amplifier supporting a "Bi-Amp mode" of Channels 1+2 and 4+5 via a switch on the rear panel (above). When Bi-Amp is enabled, Channels 1+2 utilise source input #1, while Channels 4+5 use source input #5. This allows individual, isolated amplifiers to be routed to the speakers' HF and LF drivers and ensures precise signal path routing.
The five-channel RMB-1585MKII is priced at £3,599/ €4,199, while the seven-channel RMB-1587MKII sells for £3,799/ €4,399. Both are available in black or silver finishes.
Visit Rotel for more information
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Home Theatre
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