Rotel Introduces:New Five-Channel Power AmplifierNext generation RBG 985 features higher performance, simplified circuitry and new THXÆ ""Ultra"" certification.

Building upon the enviable reputation garnered by their first high powered multichannel power amplifier, the critically praised RB 985, Rotel has announced the introduction of the ""next generation"" RB 985 Mk II amplifier featuring what the company says are significant improvements.""Although the ëMk IIí designation might imply a few minor changes,"" said Michael Bartlett, Rotel of Americaís Vice President and General Manager, ""this is, in reality, a totally new product. Weíve changed the metalwork to increase thermal efficiency, increased power supply capacity, and meticulously refined circuit topology to achieve a simpler signal path. Of course, this amplifier will be used by the same customer base that responded so positively to the original RB 985 but the Mk II version will reward consumers with an even higher level of performance.""The main reason weíre so confident of the RB 985 Mk IIís ability,"" Barlett continues, ""is that we developed it, as we do all Rotel pieces, as an audio product first. That means we followed the same Balanced Design philosophy that has been so successful for us in the past ñ basic circuit layout at our Far East engineering center with subsequent critical parts evaluation and modification by our international design team as we fine-tune RB 985 Mk II for production. Thatís a critical step for Rotel as it results in attention to sonic subtleties that would escape less comprehensive product development programs.""At the amplifierís heart is a larger, more capable power supply based on a multiple-secondary toroidal power transformer with more than 1500 VA potential, custom-made by Rotel specifically for the RB 985 Mk II. Eight high quality 12,000 µf capacitors provide generous energy storage for all five output sections. Each of the RB 985 Mk IIís 20 output devices are rated for more than 130 watts and 15 amperes current capability and power output capability is rated at 110 watts/channel RMS with all channels driven simultaneously into 8 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with less than 0.03% THD. This combination results in what the company claims as uncompressed reproduction of the full dynamic range of todayís best music and video soundtrack sources.Input connections include RCA jacks supplemented by a DB25 multipin connector increasingly favored in home theatre installations for simplicity and positive channel continuity. Five-way binding posts allow a variety of speaker cable terminations for maximum flexibility. All input and output connectors are heavily gold plated for resistance to corrosion.The company further states that because of its unusual flexibility, the RB 985 Mk II is ideal for convenient bi-amping in a music-only system as well as home theatre applications. ""THX Ultra"" certification is said to assure that the amplifier meets rigorous headroom specifications as well as the compatibility standards established by Lucasfilm, Ltd. for systems which can properly reproduce movie soundtracks mixed according to film industry standards.The RB 985 Mk II is now available at a suggested retail price of $999.