Rotel RB-985
The Rotel RB-985 is a five-channel power amplifier from the mid-1990s. It was built for home theater use alongside the companion RSP-985 THX Surround processor, and it cost $1,000 when new.
HiFI-Stereo (July 1997, p.55) measured output at clipping. One channel driven into 8 ohms gave 178 watts. Three channels driven gave 145 watts per channel, and all five driven gave 123 watts. Into 4 ohms with three channels driven, it reached 222 watts. In the same test, the RB-985 beat the B&K AV2500 ($798), Carver AV-505 ($859) and Harman Kardon PA 5800 ($999) on raw power. Audio (December 1996, p.25) covered the RB-985 together with the RSP-985 processor and described it as a home theater amplifier.
Beyond these period reviews, documentation on the RB-985 is thin. The archive's records hold no service manual, user guide or detailed specification sheet.
Known Specifications
- Type: Five-channel power amplifier
- Price (new): $1,000
- Output at clipping (8 Ω, one channel driven): 178 W
- Output at clipping (8 Ω, three channels driven): 145 W
- Output at clipping (8 Ω, five channels driven): 123 W
- Output at clipping (4 Ω, three channels driven): 222 W
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