I have several surround systems in my house. My main system is Lexicon MC-1, Levinson and Bryston with Aerial Speakers. My bedroom system is Rotel/Bryston with Linn speakers. My den system is a Rotel RSX 965 and Vienna Acoustics speakers.
My past expereince with Rotel has been very positive. I've used their gear over the years and had nothing but great things to say. When I decided to outfit the den in our new house I thought I would put a Marantz 880 and 5 Aerial 5 or similar speakers in. I went at it with an open mind though, and found that the sound of the Rotel 965 was outstanding. Nothing was close. (And the Vienna's are pretty awesome too). So I bought the Rotel and 5 Veinnas. Things were great until I went to add the sub to the system. Now I find out that the sub can only be configured into the system under certain arrangements, like Pro Logic or AC-3. You CANNOT use the sub pre-out with stereo!!! Moreover, you also cannot use it with DTS at all as the receiver forces all 5 channels to "large" speaker mode. I confirmed this as an issue with my two regular dealers (Audio Advice in Raleigh and Premier Audio Video in Charlotte).

Unfortunately, Rotel did not see this as an issue and refused to help, even though the software has been changed to correct this. They won't even admit this is a correction. My local dealer leaned hard, heavy and long and finally got a "special accommodation" from Rotel. An offer to replace the circuit boards. Still, they maintained that nothing was actually wrong with the system. Only that the code had been changed. I am very, very disappointed in Rotel's response to this problem. Had they simply said "you're right, we're sorry, here are the new boards", I would have been ecstatic.

I will dump the Rotel as soon as those boards are replaced with a Marantz 880 II--a receiver which might not sound as good, but one from a company which values its reputation, its customers and its dealers. Why replace it? Who else knows what is wrong or will go wrong that Rotel will not stand behind? At this point, I would not recommend Rotel to anyone under any circumstances. Who knows what other mistakes and problems there will be? They cannot even produce a decent manual. Mine is a rather crappy photocopy. At this point, there is absolutely nothing Rotel can do to recover me as a customer. I also feel that they have badly treated their dealers--they actually called one a liar. Listen up folks, this is not the same Rotel of years past.

I have never heard warmer, more intricate, or more detailed sound before getting the 965. This is such a great piece of machinery!! Rotel admitted that it had problems when first released, but the current ones have been fixed/updated and this receiver is truly worth the investment. If you can afford it, get the 965, you will not be disappointed.

I just wanted to provide an update to my post below (please don't ban me as I wanted to make sure everyone saw this update so I had to re-post here). At the same time I made the post below I emailed Rotel at the address they supplied in their post. Since then I have received quick action from them. Mike Barlett even called me to follow up and make sure that my issues are addressed. Therefore I consider it only fair that I update this post accordingly. If you do have an issue with this receiver, please email them directly at the address they posted below. You will get follow up. As for the receiver itself, I still say nothing even comes close to its sound. Current shipping receivers apparently do not have the issue I expereinced. Once my software issue is resolved, this will be one sweet piece.

Best receiver I've ever heard! I auditioned the denon 3200, sony str 835 and this, and was blown away by the Rotel 965!!! sound is so warm and fluid. A great receiver, highly recommended!!

This receiver is the best i've ever heard! such depth and quality of sound, plus all the expansion that this offers is excellent! Well worth the $$$ for an all in one unit!

Awesome sounding receiver, sub problems are fixed, but I have found the switching flexibility to be limited. This unit does not allow you to send an Audio source to it's only VCR audio input. An additional VCR set of inputs would also be nice for those that have more than one VCR (Beta, VHS, Hi8, etc.).I would also have liked a monitor function on both Tape loops instead of just one of them. Not sure where to go from here as I have to decide between sound quality and the switching functionality i require.

5 rating for sound quality
3 rating for limited switching flexibility

I found the sound of the Rotel to be first rate. Much better than I expected. However, I too was plagued by video problems. It seems the Rotel has problems with pictures that are mostly white on the composite video. On my TV this caused odd colors and shifting of the picture. This does not happen on all TV’s. My dealer could not re-create the problem in the store. Rotel says they have now fixed the problem. Rotel customer service was better than any I have ever dealt with. They have a genuine desire to keep their customers happy. I have no doubt they will figure out the problems with the RSX-965. My dealer, Century Stereo in San Jose, was also very helpful. Since they were unable to provide me with a replacement for the Rotel they gave me a full refund even though it had been over 6 months.

Great sounding receiver with lots of room for other components. Lots of room for expansion, it's a great platform to run everything thru because it sounds so rich and detailed!

I think the reciver is the best produckt in the priceclass. I upgraded from a Onkyo 545 and that reciver just sucked!! I have had 2 Onkyo recivers and they bouth stinked. My Rotel has made my speakers a lot better!! At high volume the sound in just great.

I only have 1 problem with my reciver and that is: When the volume is low iI can hear a high freq. sound. I have spoken with the imporer and Rotel, and the say that there is not supposed to be any discernable noise. But the dealer says that it`s suppsed to be like that!!! If any other has that problem please mail me at Ekbergen@hotmail.com.
Thank you!!!

Total I think this is a good buy!!

Very Good for those who listen 50/50 to music and home theater. Rotel service is best I have dealt with.

Problems in the beginning have been addressed such as, clipping, ringing noise. Binding posts are poor.

I am currently on my third Rotel RSX-965, which for most would mean giving 1 star. But the level of service at Rotel is one of the best in the industry, and is the best that I have personally dealt with. I have experienced many of the problems that have been addressed on this unit, but when the unit is working properly I have not heard any other receiver that sounds this good. I am heavily into audiophile equipment, but my budget is not. So I was forced to go with a receiver rather than seperates. This unit reproduces the music as it should sound (not very forgiving), which can be good or bad depending on your speakers.
I have it paired with a set of Snell E5's in the front and a C5 center channel, which sounds incredible. Still waiting on the rear speakers (currently using old Sony speakers). I have heard Krell, Electrocomponiet, Chord, EAR (the best preamp, integrated amps I have ever heard), EAD , Cinepro, etc. and the list goes on. Rotel has made a product that sounds great, while remembering not everyone has the budget to purchase krell. I think Rotel has done an excellent job. The only true complaint I have is the binding posts used are very flimsy. For a couple dollars more it would be worth it to put a stirdier back plate with sturdy heavy duty binding posts, it would be worth an extra $20 or $30 for that upgrade. I use Custom House Baraccuda cables, which are heavy cables, and they tug at the back plate a little. The unit is very heavy and sturdy outside of this fact.
If you are in the market for a receiver this is the receiver to beat in my opinion. DSP modes are not for me, and a lot of the rings and bells in other unit just take away from the reproduction. Home Theater is excellent with this unit. Very crisp, very detailed and silent when their are lulls. I highly recommend Rotel products. An example of the service I am talking about would be, a Rotel rep personally delivering my new unit to my work so i didn't have to get the replacement. 5 year warranty. I give this unit 5 stars as a receiver.