From the 900 Series Archives....

[wkhanna]

For the few of use here that still have and love our 900 series amps.......
I just added an RM990-BX to my system this past weekend.
I was lucky to get this one from a fellow forum member, and it had just been serviced by Rotel, all new caps, and other goodies, cleaned and tested. So thorough was the work that a break-in was recommended.
It is replacing my RB980-BX that I bought new over 13 years ago. It will now be relegated to powering my rear surrounds for HT and SACD use. 90% of my listening is 2 ch redbook CD, so my main gets used allot, and I felt it was worth investing in the upgrade.

Truth be told, I wasn't really expecting much of a difference. Boy was I wrong!
Everything is 'tightened up'. Highs, mids, lows.......all nice and crisp. A noticeable difference at low level resolution also. I couldn't be more pleased.
There is just no substitute for watts, as long as the 'first watt' is a good one!

[PewterTA]

Great to hear how much you are enjoying your new toy. Just wait till you get used to it and I'll bet it sounds even better!!!

You definitely got a great deal on that and it has definitely found itself a good home!

[gd]

900-SERIES RULES ALL ! ! !

RA-985 integrated and RCD-955AX cdp still sitting here more than ten years later... doing nothing more (or less) than playing good music, and playing it well.

I have no incentive to upgrade.

Oh all right – I have no money to upgrade.

Enjoy... play loud.

[zmanbands]

Happy Days

Glad You Like It!

[wkhanna]

Hey PewterTA! You gotta hear this thing! I am sure you’ll hear the difference with those ‘good’ ears of yours! I am rolling some tubes this week in the C-19, too...........you need to come over soon.

Hi gd, I thought I might get your attention with my post! I am taking your advise......hit 88-90 dB on a few tracks! :righton:

Zman, Thanks for your patients on the deal ......oh, and the check is in the mail! :P

[Nuthed]

I have 2 RB-980BXs. I thought they sounded great, now you have me wondering. Do you think your 980 just needs a factory refreshing? How much better does the 990 sound?

[PewterTA]

Let me know when your available, I'll come over and take a listen! :E

[wkhanna]

I have 2 RB-980BXs. I thought they sounded great, now you have me wondering. Do you think your 980 just needs a factory refreshing? How much better does the 990 sound?

Hey, my 980 still sounds good, V good actually!
After 13 years of nearly daily use, I would assume it might sound a little better if the caps were replaced and had a check-up at Rotel. But would the cost justify the improvement? I don’t know the answer to that question.

As far as the 990.......I don’t think it’s fair to compare a 13 yo 980 to factory refurbished 990.
The actual difference might be less if the 980 were refurbished. Overall the difference you hear will be influenced by how revealing the rest of the system is, too. I my case, my speakers are nominally 4 ohm MTM’s with two 7" woofers. The 980 had plenty of power to drive them. But 990 just makes them sound a little quicker in general, and the bottom end is a bit more defined.
If I were compare the two amps using a three-way or with something that had larger woofers, the difference might be even greater, but I can’t say for sure, I am only speculating. AFAIK, the topology of the tow amps are similar, so we may only comparing the effect of the added watts for the most part.

Just how much better does the 990 sound?
Well, I guess it would be comparable upgrading just about any other component in a system. It was defiantly a worthwhile investment for improving the 2-ch music SQ, especially since I use it in that fasion almost daily.

[wkhanna]

Let me know when your available, I'll come over and take a listen! :E

What is you schedule this weekend?

[PewterTA]

Unfortuneately, I think this weekend is booked. Next weekend I believe should be pretty much free...so maybe saturday!

[Hdale85]

I'm still wondering when we're all going to get together again! I have a few new toys that will be completed soon to show off. Won't be done for a while though (couple months probably) so no rush.

[wkhanna]

Let's shoot for some time before the end of October.