Rotel 2-CH Digital Amp

kaxixi · « **on:** 2 Feb 2006, 08:41 pm »

Also in the news

http://www.rotel.com/products/specs/rb1092.htm

srayle · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Feb 2006, 08:46 pm »

How much is she?

CornellAlum · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Feb 2006, 09:20 pm »

$2500. Maybe someone can chime in here, but I know exactly how much the amplifier modules of icepower are costing retailers, so I am curious as to how almost ALL of them are charging so much for them...especially in Rotel's case, meaning they are being assembled in China. My theory is that they are targeting the market that is associated with higher watts=more $$'s, but then again, who knows.

Please don't ask how much, let's just say it isn't very much, and that you can get the info if you are creative

CJ Paul · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Feb 2006, 09:52 pm »

Until it all gets sorted out, I feel like manufacturers are all riding on the coat tails of boutique leaders of digital amp technology. Some buotique comes up with a great topology that really does sound better than the rest, and all the other manufacturers get to say "hey I'm using the same module". They're getting a free grace period as the community catches up with better understanding. Afterall, JVC doesn't get to say, hey we use the same transport in our $60 CD player as so and so $5000 CD player because we all understand the other differences. I think when this all sorts out, we'll be able to see higher powered amps (say 250-500 watts) in the sub $1000 range that sound good and then you'll have your boutique brands that cost more but honestly do sound better.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Feb 2006, 03:52 am »

That price is hideous.....AV Reality is a company in Denmark that sells the same 500w modules as finished monoblocks for around $2000.00.

That's factoring in Danish labor costs. Their products use cheaper switch power supplies...no doubt Rotel uses nicer (not necessrily better sounding, of course) toroids.

The owner is quote a piece of work, tho....based on several AC folks past experience with him, I'm staying away. However, I'm noting it as it can be done for a lot cheaper than Rotel is doing it for. Of course, you have 40-50% dealer markup factored in for that $2000+ price on the Rotel.

I agree with CJ Paul, the sound and cost advantages of 'digital' amplification are still waiting for a audio's answer to Sam Walton.

Perhaps Klaus Bunge/Odyssey (or another) = Sam Walton

matix · « **Reply #5 on:** 4 Feb 2006, 05:34 am »

Quote from: TheChairGuy

That price is hideous.....AV Reality is a company in Denmark that sells the same 500w modules as finished monoblocks for around $2000.00.

That's factoring in Danish labor costs. Their products use cheaper switch power supplies...no doubt Rotel uses nicer (not necessrily better sounding, of course) toroids.

The owner is quote a piece of work, tho....based on several AC folks past experience with him, I'm staying away. However, I'm noting it as it can be done for a lot cheaper than Rotel is doing it f ...

The amp is the eAR 501, and it is not US$2000, but US$1332 for 1 pair.

ABEX · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Feb 2006, 06:49 am »

I had this conversation with another on a different BB. These amps are way over the top and most Digi amps for over $1K are also,but if they do it for you and you have the $$ then who am I to judge!

That's about what it comes down to fr myself.

I just recieved an old Aragon 2004 Mk.II for $300 and I would rather have that then alot of other amps not because it is remarkable or anything,but because I know it works well with my speakers.

Does not matter how much you pay,if the synergy is not there forget it!

MaxCast · « **Reply #7 on:** 4 Feb 2006, 11:18 am »

I'm surprised digital amps are not cheaper my self. Were we not talking about 5 channel digital amps the size of a credit card for $200 4 years ago?

Feisal K · « **Reply #8 on:** 4 Feb 2006, 02:21 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast

I'm surprised digital amps are not cheaper my self. Were we not talking about 5 channel digital amps the size of a credit card for $200 4 years ago?

its not the size of a credit card(!) but the Panasonic XR55 is about that price, and sounds great too.

albee · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Feb 2006, 04:25 pm »

The prices are silly at the moment. When I got my first SI it was $19.95. Now, it's a real seach to find them for $30.

When you look at the unit prices that manufacturers pay for chips of any sorts you feel robbed no matter what you buy.

ABEX · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Feb 2006, 02:31 am »

It's not the chips that cost ,but the Faceplate,Heashinks and design work.

The sound is or should be the #1 factor that should concern the buyer.

One Designer I have spoken to told me something that makes sense and that is "people will buy it because they can". Price does not come into consideration when those that can buy it because it is their is concerned.

I was once in an Audio Salon were a couple could flop down $10K for a system I would not pay 3K for,but they did because they could afford it.

I could tell they were not well versed in the art of audio or what value they were looking at.They were not discrimating shoppers I could tell that much!

Anyway I cannot see buying a system or amps that cost as much as a car,but then again I am not fithy rich either. There are those that are and as such will depend on others to be the discriminating listeners.

There are many fine designers that have sites here that are not known to the mass public that are more reasonably priced.Thank god that you are able to read their posts and know their is better than many mased priced stuff that is out there.

Maybe next yt. I will have $100K to spend on whatever audio candy I feel I want! Do I need 100K worth ,no! But it would be great to beable to say I like that and I'll take it!

Just my take!

kaxixi · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Feb 2006, 03:55 am »

Companies often introduce new technologies in their most expensive products. There are probably many reasons to do this.

One is that these products sell in fewer numbers, allowing the manufacturer to work the kinks out in its manufacturing process before releasing thousands of units. A similar situation recently prevented Dell from introducing the Intel Duo chip in its cheaper laptops.

mthomas · « **Reply #12 on:** 5 Feb 2006, 05:46 pm »

A few posts up is what I agree with - these manufacturers are jumping on the high watt coat tails. I recently bought the Bel Canto S300 monos and the minute FedEx dropped them off, I opened them up. I was chapped - I got ripped off yet again. I'm sure they sounded good but inside was STOCK ICE ASP modules. The OEM cost on those is about $100 and that's probably on the high side of things. Back they went.

I phoned Bel Canto, asked a few questions and got slightly BS answers about how they changed some things here and there but essentially, they're stock modules. Now, to their credit, this company has the best customer service in the industry and if that's important to you, them the extra cost is worth it because the crew out there is top notch.

Bottom line is I'm waiting for the Chinese manufacturers to get into ICE and digital in the same way that they got into tubes. An ICE ASP amp should cost not more then $500 and that's why I'm probably going to buy an Acoustic Reality amp. The price is spot on where it should be and the other manufactures should take notice. I'm sure the eAR 202 is exactly the same as the Bel Canto S300.

Rotel relies on the dealer channel which should be an automatic "I won't buy Rotel" since most (and I know there's good dealers out there but not many) dealers just rip you off...

What's happening now on digital amps is exactly what happened with the computer industry - companies like B&O are simply going to kick out reference designs (not reference in the audio way but in the computer industry term of a design that is exactly copied but cost reduced in manufacturing). This allowed guys like Henry Ho of ICEH20 to become a manufacturer. I would probably buy a stock ASP module, find a chassis and drop it in...

This will change things since it will bring on high volume, low cost manufacturing like in China or Taiwan. It's all up to B&O policy of who they sell too but I think they'll go for the volume... (pardon the pun)...