Rotel RB-850 Power Amplifiers 50 - 150W Per Channel Classic HiFi units

These amps will happily drive good quality speakers to give a fabulous 
natural and clear sound with a controlled and realistic base.
Here's some quotes to give you some idea:

 This amp has a superior sound that even my ears could hear - a dramatic improvement over many if not most of the other vintage power units I've been able to listen to. I put the 850 in top 15% for sound quality, and for build quality as well.

I was using the matching Rotel RC-850 preamp, which I've reviewed separately - I discuss further using it with this amp.

Sound improvements were definite. Bass was dramatically improved - much more visceral and deeper reaching, plus smoother and cleaner. Sound overall was cleaner with more presence or something. I can hear the difference across a 25 foot room at low volumes - the smooth bass carries.

I've heard that these have a rep for being built like a tank and reliability - which has value. It's a heavy piece, and I think it has dual power supplies. Switch is high quality, and fittings on rear seem so as well.

Note that these are designed to be easy to bridge for double plus power - little switch on rear of amp. The owner's manual says they go from 50 watts in stereo to 150 watts bridged. That may be a typo - as usually it's a doubling of the stereo output. But what do I know? I know that 100 watts of this quality power will drive a lot of the more demanding speakers. 

Also heard they are unusual in having the ability to perform well below 4 ohms and not suffer quality losses or heat up. Down to 2 ohms even. This low end grunt may indeed be a factor in the superior sound. I had a similar experience with a Quad 33/303 set - and it too is noted to handle very low ohm loads.

In 1989 the RB / RC 850 pre and power combo got a best buy award from Hifi Choice magazine. However, it is the review which stayed with me. The review came with a lab test as well and concluded that the RB 850 was so good that it should be paired with a preamplifier three to four times its price! I did just that and had a Linn preamp paired with it for many years. 

Two important things to note. The first is when I took the amp to service in 2014 (nothing was wrong, just to get it cleaned up inside a bit), my electronics repair shop noted the high quality and high grade components that were inside the box, which impressed them, built to last as well. The second is this amp is genuine dual mono construction, hence the soundstage is the widest you will hear in a stereo amp. Not only that, but it can get pretty three dimensional with some pieces like synths or classical, and also great for watching movies or sport. It is claimed at 50 watts power and 90 watts din. Clearly the 50 watts here is akin to 100 watts on other amps because the power on tap for dynamics is enormous and the amp never stresses at extremely loud volume levels. I've used it for parties and yet at extremely low volume late night it is also incredible.

I honestly think Rotel realised this because as the 1990s rolled in they stopped making genuine dual mono power amps at a reasonable price.  Even today, if you want a dual mono amp the sound quality of this vintage Rotel, you are going to have to spend a lot of money.

Specifications

Power output: 50 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo), 150 watts into 8Ω (mono)

Frequency response: 15Hz to 100kHz

Total harmonic distortion: 0.03%

Damping factor: 280

Input sensitivity: 1V

Signal to noise ratio: 116dB

Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 16Ω

Dimensions: 444 x 86 x 336mm

Weight: 9kg each 


So, these units have been in a second floor flat for the last 18+ years and rarely do I get the chance to let them sing like they deserve. Well sometime in the next 12 months I'm driving a truck across Asia - with no plans to return so now's as good as any to let someone else enjoy them. 

Note:  These Amps have ALWAYS been turned on and off at low volume, so no big shunt loads.

  The rest of my set up will be listed and if you take the 2 amps and the Pre Amp - 

the stand's yours as well.. 

Like it says, once you've read the advert if you have any questions then do get in contact


I would prefer collection (Or meet up within 50 miles) but if we need to use a courier then I'll get them well wrapped for you - although you'll need to give me a couple of days. 


eBay rules apply - Images form part of the listing

Maybe check out my other items as I'm letting go of plenty of quality items 
Good Luck!