I use tuner. The last of the free audio mediums. I have three great non-commercial, non-corporate radio stations in my area and sometimes, that's all I need.
the A8 and A10 mk2 are the only 2 current/new hifi products that have really got me excited because of their old school design, i bought a nad 3020b new around 84 and im currently using a denon pma 250 mk3 because i dont like displays and digital menus on an amp. paired with my easy to drive mercury 7.2s at 8ohms and 89db the a8 will cope very well and outlast me hahaha
I have a Rotel 60 watts per channel power amplifier I bought back in 1994 along with the Rotel pre amplifier. Rb x series. It’s got plenty of power although it’s not hooked up at the current moment. 459.00 down to 200.00 is a typical entry level price.
Yep Rotel can compete with some of the higher market brands. Back in 1989 I bought the Rotel 870BX. Integrated amplifier it was a great sounding amplifier with beefy bass. The A14mkii reminds me of 870BX only difference a lighter bass which is fine with capable floor standing speakers with its own good bass performance. The 870BX was a dual mono design also.
Looks great, I love this style, would love to see Rotel do an all analog Pre-amp , power and integrated in line with the Dimond series quality, just without the stereo wars level of all in oneness.
Great interesting video, the A11 mk2 don’t have a pre out either , I have the A11 tribune , yes I like the back to old style Rotel amps , with proper controls, I be interested how the phono I/p sound , the A11 mk2 has a great sound phono amp , regards mark
its direct competition for price and features is the Rega IO - 3 line ins and a record player input but no tone controls. i only need 2 inputs, one for a network audio player(for usb key playback only) and a pc/laptop+topping d10s dac so either of these amps is ideal. even though it is the entry level amp in the rotel range it is no way an starter amp, its just good classic basic tried and tested design that many older hifi lovers will want. i would choose Rega because they are only 1 hour drive from me so shouldnt have any problems getting it fixed and Rotel because this is the same basic design they have been making for over 40 years, look at how many of their classic designs are on ebay and how easy they are to repair so longevity for the A8 is practically guaranteed.
Great amp for flats/apartments etc where a sub would either bring way too much legality to your door or turn you into a fully fledged local audio pariah. Personally I am not a fan of subs at the moment and prefer capable full range bookshelves which current circumstances also somewhat dictate. I also much prefer barebones amps where adding the digital domain is left to users choice but saying that I also have an SMSL AO-300 which is a digital Swiss Army knife!
I just found your channel and subbed. This reminds me of my first amplifier. In 1975 I was in the Navy and had my first real spending money ($168.00 every two weeks) LOL. I bought a Sony TA-1130 and I loved it. I added a manual AR turntable and BIC Venturi speakers. The only problem was I only got to listen to it was when I was home on leave! D'oh! Great review young man.
@@0102studio Not too long. When our ship went to Japan in 1978 I bought a Kenwood KA-7100. The Navy Exchange had every monster receiver that you can imagine but I liked the Kenwood. Everybody on the ship found out I was an audio nut and I helped a lot of guys buy their systems. Great memories.
Sounds like Rotels answer to the NAD c316bee. Any idea of how they compare sonically? I think its a great thing that there is still a market for affordable minimalist stuff.
Excellent review man. I might get this to use with my Wharfedale 12.2's. Can you please also review the Rotel RB-1590 amp and the Wharfedale Elysian 2? After a lot of research I'm saving up to get this combo as my endgame system and would love to see your opinion on these.
@@0102studio Thanks a lot man, there's not a lot of reviews out there on these. While you're at it could you please ask Rotel if they plan to refresh the RB-1590 with a MK II version? Since it's quite old now. I think it'll take me a year to save enough to buy one, so I would like to know that :)
i bought the Rotel A11mk2 a few months ago and returned , i loved the design but notice the 50 watts p/c at 8 ohms was not enough even with sensitive speakers like the klipsch ! the A8 is only 30 watts p/c at 8 ohms i don’t think it will work for me ! i also own the Nad 316 bee v2 and believe me those 40 watts p/c feels very strong (maybe they use better caps etc..)
The AXA35 is a natural comparison. It is a little cheaper. Physically, the Rotel seems a little nicer (if you like colored LEDs), but functionally they seem identical.
@@0102studio…it could be but if your willing to say, for what? I would hazard a guess but it wouldn’t be for much more than a 5 x 5m room at the very most…the features are fine, I don’t have an issue with ‘bare bones’ amps.
The only thing that I do not like is the fact that there is only the possibility to connect one pair of speakers. Love your choice of music....I suggest SOS band...Rick james...Val Young...level 42...Bionic Boogie....Change.....Mary Jane Girls.....France Joli....Jackie Graham....Patrice Rushen....Chic....and I could go on and on with disco-funk-soul artists!
Nice to see Rotel returning
To there roots of offering
A truly budget product most people can afford
I use tuner. The last of the free audio mediums. I have three great non-commercial, non-corporate radio stations in my area and sometimes, that's all I need.
It looks delightfully old school and appropriate for an all analog amplifier. Sounds comfortable, just like the review 😊
Thank you!
This has been my favorite review thus far,thx.
Thanks for watching!
the A8 and A10 mk2 are the only 2 current/new hifi products that have really got me excited because of their old school design, i bought a nad 3020b new around 84 and im currently using a denon pma 250 mk3 because i dont like displays and digital menus on an amp. paired with my easy to drive mercury 7.2s at 8ohms and 89db the a8 will cope very well and outlast me hahaha
Haha! Yeah I love amps without displays!
@@0102studio that said i love my little denon f109(dnp+dra) system. my pma 250 mk3 dont even have standby mode 😆
Yep, head to head sound battle with the Cambridge Audio AXA35!
Look like I’m going to get one in for a review!
@@0102studio What room size in meters would you say the A8 would be most appropriate for? I have a pair of Wharfedale 12.2 in a 5 x 5m room…
I have a Rotel 60 watts per channel power amplifier I bought back in 1994 along with the Rotel pre amplifier. Rb x series. It’s got plenty of power although it’s not hooked up at the current moment. 459.00 down to 200.00 is a typical entry level price.
Yep Rotel can compete with some of the higher market brands. Back in 1989 I bought the Rotel 870BX. Integrated amplifier it was a great sounding amplifier with beefy bass. The A14mkii reminds me of 870BX only difference a lighter bass which is fine with capable floor standing speakers with its own good bass performance. The 870BX was a dual mono design also.
Looks great, I love this style, would love to see Rotel do an all analog Pre-amp , power and integrated in line with the Dimond series quality, just without the stereo wars level of all in oneness.
Great interesting video, the A11 mk2 don’t have a pre out either , I have the A11 tribune , yes I like the back to old style Rotel amps , with proper controls, I be interested how the phono I/p sound , the A11 mk2 has a great sound phono amp , regards mark
its direct competition for price and features is the Rega IO - 3 line ins and a record player input but no tone controls. i only need 2 inputs, one for a network audio player(for usb key playback only) and a pc/laptop+topping d10s dac so either of these amps is ideal. even though it is the entry level amp in the rotel range it is no way an starter amp, its just good classic basic tried and tested design that many older hifi lovers will want.
i would choose Rega because they are only 1 hour drive from me so shouldnt have any problems getting it fixed and Rotel because this is the same basic design they have been making for over 40 years, look at how many of their classic designs are on ebay and how easy they are to repair so longevity for the A8 is practically guaranteed.
Great amp for flats/apartments etc where a sub would either bring way too much legality to your door or turn you into a fully fledged local audio pariah. Personally I am not a fan of subs at the moment and prefer capable full range bookshelves which current circumstances also somewhat dictate. I also much prefer barebones amps where adding the digital domain is left to users choice but saying that I also have an SMSL AO-300 which is a digital Swiss Army knife!
Great tunes.
I just found your channel and subbed. This reminds me of my first amplifier. In 1975 I was in the Navy and had my first real spending money ($168.00 every two weeks) LOL. I bought a Sony TA-1130 and I loved it. I added a manual AR turntable and BIC Venturi speakers. The only problem was I only got to listen to it was when I was home on leave! D'oh! Great review young man.
Thanks for subscribing! How long did you hang on to that system?
@@0102studio Not too long. When our ship went to Japan in 1978 I bought a Kenwood KA-7100. The Navy Exchange had every monster receiver that you can imagine but I liked the Kenwood. Everybody on the ship found out I was an audio nut and I helped a lot of guys buy their systems. Great memories.
@@mikecampbell5856 thise are great memories, thanks for sharing!
What about the subwoofer option with this? Any other amps in the dame price that have output for subwoofer and are equally good?
Off the too of my head, NAD C328, marantz pm6007, and Yamaha A-S 501
I had a rotel ra-1 back in the day great amp this looks similar i am surpised a8 has a captive power cord tho, great 👍 review btw
Thank you!
Wonder if Rotel
Will offer a matching
CD player?
The existing cd11 does match up looks wise.
Sounds like Rotels answer to the NAD c316bee. Any idea of how they compare sonically? I think its a great thing that there is still a market for affordable minimalist stuff.
Me too!
Excellent review man. I might get this to use with my Wharfedale 12.2's.
Can you please also review the Rotel RB-1590 amp and the Wharfedale Elysian 2?
After a lot of research I'm saving up to get this combo as my endgame system and would love to see your opinion on these.
I’ll see what I can get in, Rotel will be a for sure at some point.
@@0102studio Thanks a lot man, there's not a lot of reviews out there on these.
While you're at it could you please ask Rotel if they plan to refresh the RB-1590 with a MK II version? Since it's quite old now. I think it'll take me a year to save enough to buy one, so I would like to know that :)
The tuner input can be effectively renamed "streamer or network".
Totally
This is also the path taken by the Marantz 50
Light!! /
i bought the Rotel A11mk2 a few months ago and returned , i loved the design but notice the 50 watts p/c at 8 ohms was not enough even with sensitive speakers like the klipsch !
the A8 is only 30 watts p/c at 8 ohms i don’t think it will work for me !
i also own the Nad 316 bee v2 and believe me those 40 watts p/c feels very strong (maybe they use better caps etc..)
Woah, that’s interesting. I haven’t know Rotel to put out underwhelming gear…
40wpc @ 4ohms. 30wpc @ 8ohms. £399…quite low power imo. Cambridge Audio AXA35 currently £299 35wpc @ 8ohms….Aiyima A70 80wpc @ 8ohms £150.
Its enough though.
The AXA35 is a natural comparison. It is a little cheaper. Physically, the Rotel seems a little nicer (if you like colored LEDs), but functionally they seem identical.
@@0102studio…it could be but if your willing to say, for what? I would hazard a guess but it wouldn’t be for much more than a 5 x 5m room at the very most…the features are fine, I don’t have an issue with ‘bare bones’ amps.
@@0102studio….could be.
The only thing that I do not like is the fact that there is only the possibility to connect one pair of speakers. Love your choice of music....I suggest SOS band...Rick james...Val Young...level 42...Bionic Boogie....Change.....Mary Jane Girls.....France Joli....Jackie Graham....Patrice Rushen....Chic....and I could go on and on with disco-funk-soul artists!
I’m less into disco, more so into funk and rare groove. But again, good is good! And thanks for watching!
I feel when you buy rotel or cambridge you really spending more on the pre amp then the amp itself