Rotel RB980BX vs Adcom or Carver or other?

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,378
edited January 2011 in 2 Channel Audio
I have been on the look for an amp and have had an Adcom GFA-545 in mind or maybe a Carver. However, I may have an opportunity to pick up a Rotel RB980BX for about $200. I have heard some good things about Rotel but I am not familiar with this model. Anyone have experience with it? How does it compare to the Adcom GFA-545 or Carver TFM-15 or 25?

Thanks
Stan
Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
Post edited by skrol on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2011
    What speakers?
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • zarrdoss
    zarrdoss Posts: 2,562
    edited January 2011
    that Rotel should be a great match for your RTA11tl's

    Rotel makes great stuff. I have a 990BX on my 2.3tl's and it powers them great, rock solid performer, I also have a Adcom GFA545II and it powered my RTA 11t's fine.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2011
    I like Rotel better than Adcom and Carver.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ohskigod
    ohskigod Posts: 6,502
    edited January 2011
    I'm a carver fan, but like the bigger carvers (tfm 35, 45)

    frm what you listed, I think that Rotel is the biggest bang for buck. I love my rb980. pulls suround duty driving my rear LSi9's with no problems at all. did that in 2 channel for a spell with great results too.
    Living Room 2 Channel -
    Schiit SYS Passive Pre. Jolida CD player. Songbird streamer. California Audio Labs Sigma II DAC, DIY 300as1/a1 Ice modules Class D amp. LSi15 with MM842 woofer upgrade, Nordost Blue Heaven and Unity interconnects.

    Upstairs 2 Channel Rig -
    Prometheus Ref. TVC passive pre, SAE A-205 Amp, Wiim pro streamer and Topping E50 DAC, California Audio Labs DX1 CD player, Von Schweikert VR3.5 speakers.

    Studio Rig - Scarlett 18i20(Gen3) DAW, Mac Mini, Aiyma A07 Max (BridgedX2), Totem Mites
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Flash21
    Flash21 Posts: 316
    edited January 2011
    The 980 is an excellent amp for that money.
    Steve Carlson
    Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
    Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
    Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
    Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
    VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
    Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited January 2011
    The 545 is a sweet amp, perhaps the best sounding in the original line. No problem running anything Polk makes or made. I ran it with RTA 11's, LSi 9's and SDA 1C's. No experience with that particular Rotel, but not a fan of either Carver or Rotel. Not a hater by any means, just never found a piece from either manufacturer that I felt was above average.

    YMMV

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2011
    I still have a 545 and I like it more than my 555:smile:
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Flash21
    Flash21 Posts: 316
    edited January 2011
    heiney9 wrote: »
    No experience with that particular Rotel, but not a fan of either Carver or Rotel. Not a hater by any means, just never found a piece from either manufacturer that I felt was above average.

    Heh, you could swap "Adcom" for "Rotel" in the above statement and you would have my opinion...so it goes.
    Steve Carlson
    Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
    Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
    Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
    Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
    VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
    Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,378
    edited January 2011
    Unfortunately, the Rotel is already sold. I'll hold out for a great deal on a 545.
    Thanks for all the input.
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2011
    Stan, the 545's pop up fairly often in the flea market and such, they are great little amps.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Flash21
    Flash21 Posts: 316
    edited January 2011
    anonymouse wrote: »
    I have had the RB980BX. Its one of the entry level Rotel amps. Clean sound, but definitely challenged with the LSi series. When I had it I compared it with the following amps:
    Rotel RB991
    Carver 705
    NAD 2200PE

    I felt the 980BX was smoother and cleaner than the NAD, but was bested by the Carver AV705 and the Rotel RB991.
    Yes, I had the 990 and it was better, and more expensive, than the 980 (go figure). But the 980 was and is an excellent value.
    Steve Carlson
    Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
    Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
    Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
    Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
    VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
    Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,378
    edited January 2011
    Any opinions on a Carver A-220?
    Stan
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited January 2011
    The thing is Stan, all these choices are about the same. Very subtle differences as they are all in the same ballpark.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited January 2011
    I traded out of a Carver M500 to a Rotel 980BX when I had me 2B's, never looked back even though the Carver was over twice the power. It's been a while since I had the SDA's, but going by memory the Rotel was more refined, esp. as the volume increased. Rotel seemed to have a lower noise floor as well.

    I've still got the 980 if you're interested in hearing it.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited January 2011
    I would also consider taking a look at a B&K ST140. They are sweet amps for the price and can be often found on Audiogon in the $200 range. I personally prefer the B&K over the other amps you have mmentioned, but that's my personal taste. YMMV.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter