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New Zealand's hi-fi and home theatre resource
 

Affordable finesse

   

Rotel make a stunning budget amplifier.
By Michael Jones

October 2000

 

Rotel RA-931 mk2 integrated amplifier. Price: $799.

Sometimes grizzled old hi-fi hacks like me can become very blase about the more affordable components - yet another cheap amplifier or pair of two-way speakers.

But it all becomes worthwhile when I discover an affordable component that performs outstandingly well. Such as the Rotel RA-931 mk2 integrated amplifier at $799, rated at 35 watts per channel.


Rotel have a reputation of making good sounding and affordable hi-fi. So how do they do it?

For a start, Rotel hi-fi looks pretty “plain Jane” compared to many other brands. There are not lots of knobs, buttons or flashing lights on Rotel products. These things can consume a high proportion of the engineering budget, which means that this budget cannot be spent on the things that make an amplifier sound good.

Instead Rotel spend the budget on the important things inside the amplifier: well-engineered power supplies and quality parts.

That’s not to say that the Rotel RA-931 mk2 looks ugly. In fact it looks fine - understated but well finished.

The 931 includes a moving magnet phono input (not tested) plus three line level inputs for CD, tuner etc. There’s provision for one tape loop for hooking up a cassette deck. There’s also a headphone output on the front.

Inside the Rotel includes a good size toroidal transformer, backed up with a regulated power supply. The toroidal is a large contributor to the 931’s hefty 5.9kg weight.

The 931 is a phenomenal performer, astonishing me and raising my expectations for what is possible at the price.

Fractionally lean, the Rotel has a fast and punchy sound, full of detail. I was thrilled at the musical information and emotion that came through from this amplifier.

Musical nuances (much more important than detail per se) came through beautifully with the 931. It is the musical aspects of the performance, which contribute so much to the emotional impact of the music, that make this amplifier so good.

A great amplifier at a great price.

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