ROTEL RSP-985 A/V Preamplifier
ROTEL RSP-985 A/V Preamplifier
USER REVIEWS
[Feb 24, 2003]
Kal
Audio Enthusiast
The RSP 985 SW Limiter has to be set high in order to get rid of the cutting out in THX with DD 5.1. Mine is set at -4 db. You may want to mute your rsp 985 while setting the SW limiter because the bass can be overwhelming. Once your done exit the screen and turn the mute off. Presto..no more cutting out during loud LFE levels during movies. Its just a safety feature your hearing not a flaw. |
[Apr 08, 2002]
paul325
Audio Enthusiast
There is a fix for the RSP 985. Go to the menu and access the SW Limiter. Press enter and set the limiter at about -10db. I realize when you do this the sub will start to shake. If your afraid of putting too much pressure on the sub just turn it of or unplug it when you set the limiter. Trust me your amp wont cut out in THX mode anymore!!!! |
[Jan 31, 2002]
Jonathan Carroll
Audiophile
Weakness:
BUGS! BUGS! BUGS! It has been a while since I posted my rants and raves here about my displeasure with the 985. I received many emails from people who are (were) in the exact situation as I am. So here is the latest. Similar Products Used: Othe Rotel and Harmon/Kardon |
[Jan 16, 2002]
Steve
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Performance, Value for Money
Weakness:
Remote, cludgy user interface This unit replaced my old Pro Logic receiver (which has been relegated to phono pre-amp as the RSP-985 does not have a phono input) |
[Nov 12, 2000]
nicholas grannan
Audiophile
Strength:
Sound Quality is awesome!
Weakness:
Future options I have not purchased the Rotel RSP-985 unit yet because I am torn between the Rotel unit and the B&K Reference 30. The B&K will cost me $118.00 dollars more but it does have more options with component video inputs/outputs. The B&K also has a connection for IEEE 1394 and RS 232 for future upgradeability. I do not know if these conections are actually useable or if you will have to purchase seperate components to use them or not. I can not find anyone in Atlanta, Ga. to give me an honest and objective opinion between these two units. Can anyone enlighten me on information on these two units that I may not know about? Similar Products Used: Comparing to B&K Reference 30 |
[Nov 10, 2000]
Ryan
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Conservative design; Excellent two channel performance
Weakness:
Brief delay (less than a second) at the beginning of new source material as the format is detected. I arrived at the purchase of my RSP-985 through a somewhat circuitous route. I had been using a Yamaha DSP-A2 as a pre-amplifier for a Rotel RB-985 mark II five channel amp. One of the Yamaha's redeeming features is the fact that it will not digitalize analog inputs for "CD" if the DSP circuit is disengaged (I asked Yamaha engineers about this several times). I thus decided that I wanted to upgrade my CD player as the next step in increasing sound quality. Similar Products Used: EAD Theater Master, B&K Reference 20 (no direct comparison between all three). |
[Mar 20, 2000]
Rusty-D Davenport
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
THX Cert., DTS, AC-
Weakness:
Remote, Basic Looks, need mid-range control, OK, this is my first step up into HT Since ProLogic 10 years ago! I figured I'd do it right and I DID! I always wanted some of this High-End Toys. I have this hooked up to a Rotel RMB 1095 and these units KICK-ASS! Can I say that? I started out looking at the Denon 4800, 5700, then to the Marantz 9000, then ended up w/ the Rotel because I was buying the RMB 1095 for the amp anyway. SO why not keep it in the family, less problems. Similar Products Used: Marantz AV 9000 |
[Jan 18, 2000]
Tom Martin
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Has many features (DD, PL, DTS, THX, 5.1 input, bass mgt.)
Weakness:
Price. I do not understand why preamp/processors cost $2K and up. The Rotel replaces my 20 year old PSE preamp and 5 year old Rotel processor. It's an improvement over both in sound. I have Legacy Focus speakers (each with 3 12" woofers). I also have a Velodyne FSR-12 subwoofer which I use only with movies. When I want to turn the subwoofer on, I need to readjust the bass management system. It was easier with my old Rotel processor. It also had an knob in the back to turn up the signal strength which the new Rotel does not have, but I guess the old Rotel didn't have a bass management system. I also was able to use both s-video and composite video to the same input with the old Rotel. I can't do this with the new Rotel. I wish the Rotel had a turntable input (need to keep my PSE just for the turntable.) The Rotel 985 has a 5.1 input, but I do not feel confident that I'll be able to upgrade the Rotel as things change. Similar Products Used: Rotel 960 PL processor and PSE pre. $400 Pioneer receiver. |
[Jan 05, 2000]
Pete
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Simple setup and operation, few fake surround modes, Good value
Weakness:
No front panel access to THX or mute functions (remote only). Should have left out the fake surround modes it does have. Sounds great. Major improvment over the Rotel receiver (which beat the Denon hands down). I'm using it with a Rotel RB-985 5 ch amp and old B&W Matrix 3 speakers, cdm center, 601 surrounds, ASW1000 sub. Each input can be configured for 2 channel or surround modes, thx status, etc. which makes the system easy to operate. Also has seperate record outputs and a second zone output. Stereo performance on music is outstanding. The speaker setup is fairly simple (no variable crossover points for the sub) but it seems to get the job done without any problems. The first unit I got from my dealer was brain damaged (problem decoding DD and dts) but the replacement is fine. Similar Products Used: Mid range Denon AV receiver (2700 I think), Rotel RSX-965 Receiver. |
[Feb 07, 2001]
Miguel Alcantara
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Excellent stereo sound and superb DD/DTS playback
Weakness:
Remote control, lack of EX decoding, limited toslink inputs I've been using this preamp/processor for about 6 months and I have to admit that I'm really blown away. It's stereo reproduction is excellent specially with my Marantz CD-63 Mk.II K.I. Signature CD player. Although I've used my cd player's digital output and bypassed the D/A conversion of my cd player. This is because the rotel does not have an analog pass thru meaning it converts analog signals to digital and reconverts them to analog for playback. I don't want too much conversion since it somehow affects sound quality. Similar Products Used: Onkyo TX-828, Denon AVR-3300,Rotel RSX-965, and Rotel RSP-966 A/V Preamp |