I purchased the Rotel RC-995 used just over a year ago ($350 from Audiogon), replacing a Crown Straight-Line Two preamp. During this past year, I have tried to upgrade the Rotel preamp with more updated preamps and pre-pros, but alas, it still occupies the main stereo only listening room shelf. Here is what I have found in my home preamp comparisons.

My other components include:
Anthem P2 amplifier,
Denon DVD-3910 (used as an analogue CD player),
Martin Logan Vantage ESL speakers,
Hsu Research VTF-3 MK 2 Subwoofer (Audioquest sub interconnects)
Audioquest CV-4 speaker cables, two pairs each channel in bi-wire configuration,
Room dimension 20x16x10, with wall treatments and bass traps installed
CDs used in comparison include Vivaldi-Four Season, Pat Metheny-Secret Story, Chris Botti-A Thousand Kisses Deep, Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon, Nora Jones, and Steely Dan-Aja

1. Crown Straight Line Two:
Both preamps are based on their simplicity in circuitry with little frills, except the Rotel has a remote for the volume and component switching, which the Crown did not. Both preamps are very transparent with more pinpoint soundstage going to the Rotel. The Rotel consistently had tighter mid-range and undistorted highs, the lower bass got muddy when too there were multiple and simultaneous low bass signals/music. Although the Crown did well, the highs were a bit distorted, but at the upper most skewed high end, which would include only a few music passages). The Crown did very well in the mid-range area and was a bit flat below 200 Hz. Overall, the Rotel sounded a lot better, with a wider and deeper soundstage and a bit warmer than the Crown.

2. Anthem Pre 2L (hybrid tube/solid-state preamp):
Another no frills simple circuitry preamp. The Anthem (Sonic Frontiers built) remote has minimal functions, only a volume control. The soundstage is also very wide and deep, much warmer than the Rotel and I am not sure if I like it as much. Sometimes the vocalist appear to be sitting a couple of feet away, too close for my liking, but my wife preferred it to the Rotel which was just a little forward from neutral. The Anthem, once warmed up, showed off its main characteristic, a great punchy bass, and clear mid-range. However, it did not compare to the Rotel in the high range of music, sometimes missing the more subtle cymbals in jazz music (Chris Botti) and in classical pieces (Vivaldi). Overall: Although the Anthem was breathtaking with its mid-range and bass reproduction, it did not seem to transmit the full spectrum of music like the Rotel.

3. McIntosh C-45 (6-channel preamp, current 2009 model):
Once set properly the McIntosh was very impressive, transparent with a wide and deep soundstage, again a bit on the warm (forward) side, but similar to the Rotel. The vocals (mid-range) were crisper than the Rotel (Nora Jones' vocals almost seemed "live"), and the bass a bit more defined and unmuddy during complex bass passages. The highs were also well defined and undistorted, better than the Rotel, but not by much. The benefits of the McIntosh are that you could have multiple channel output, more balance connections, updated codec, etc... Overall: the McIntosh C45 handled better in the bass and mid-range department without a doubt, and it had slightly more pinpoint sound staging than the Rotel. However, keep in mind that the McIntosh is a $3000+ unit, and the key differences were not ten times that great, not even doubled the difference. I was impressed that the Rotel compared well here.

4. Rotel 1098 Preamp HT Processor:
Again, after the proper stereo settings were selected through the 1098 many menu selection via its very nice visual active matrix screen, a great feature that every complicated prepro should have. As would be expected from the flagship Rotel preamp, the sound was very well defined and very similar to the 995. Except the 1098 had a slight harshness in the high range, it was not distorted, but after a while at high volume music listening, it was fatiguing. Something that I have not experienced with the Martin Logans before. Otherwise, the 1098 was so similar to the 995 that I put the 1098 back into my home theater for movies and not stereo music. Overall- I favored the RC-995 for its full spectrum of sound reproduction and non-fatiguing sonic transparency.

5. Outlaw 990 Preamp HT Processor:
The Outlaw replaced the Rotel 1098 late last year for my Home Theater room because I thought it did a much better job of convening large headroom and better highs that are more coherent. The problem with the Outlaw in stereo music was in the bass management especially below 40-50 Hz. It seemed to limit some of the lowest bass notes, with somewhat flat electric bass and drum notes. However, it did everything else very well, clear mid-range and high-range. Clear crisp vocals and accurate sound staging. The Rotel in comparison did just as well, but better in the lower bass (but not as good as the Anthem Pre 2L). Of course, you could select from many surround modes just like with the Rotel-1098, but I still prefer the stereo only or bypass mode. Overall: the Outlaw had slightly less low bass reproduction, but compared well to the Rotel.

Here is the order of my preamp listening comparison preferences:
1. McIntosh C45 (best overall, excellent)
2. Rotel RC-995
3. Anthem Pre 2L
4. Outlaw 990
5. Rotel 1098 (still a very good preamp)

Good design
Clean looking
Remote capable
Clean output

Maybe not the best phono stage

I bought my RC 995 off Ebay since I needed a good preamp to go with my new RB 1070 amp I bought. I used to own a RC 980 pre and that was a good unit in its day. I new this 995 would be a step up. My listenning room I have the system in now is not a good room for a stereo, nor is the speaker placement. But I can get an idea of what the 995 and 1070 combo is like. The 995 gives a clean output that is not as edgy as some other preamps. I can't comment on soundstage due to the poor room and speaker placement. I'll do another review down the road when I move this system to another place. I got a good price on this preamp due to 2 channel units not selling as well these days. It still ended up being closer to $500 when it crossed the border with taxes. My unit had its feet removed, so I had to get them replaced which Rotel service in Europe was very kind to give me a set for no cost at all. Thanks Rotel! I use the phono stage as well and it seems ok. I cant comment how it rates with my old 980 pre, since I sold that unit off years ago. I do like the 995s switching ability with the remote. The remote works the volume and source switching, plus power. The power, volume, and source controls are lit up. This is a good preamp to get on a budget. Its similar to the old 990 preamp.

Customer Service

Excellent when needed!

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RC 980 pre

Imaging and soundstage
Detail
Transparent and neutral
Musical and non-fatiguing
Convenient remote
$Bargain Price

Will show up rubbish recordings
Phono stage just average

From the first few bars of music I knew this was a special product. The soundstage is enormous. It's super transparent. The tonal balance is smooth but not at the expense of detail. Bass is fast and tight. Once you've picked your jaw up off the floor you notice so many things you've never heard before in tracks you've listened to a zillion times. All you want to do is keep on listening. This kind of musical, non-fatiguing and coherent performance is what you pay big bucks for so to find it at this price point is a small miracle. The phono stage is passable for budget vinyl but not really a strong suit. Balanced outs superior to unbalanced, careful setup (cones) and good cables essential. Try and get a listen to one of these before laying out BIG money on some pretty piece of esoterica that probably isn't as good!

Customer Service

Not needed yet

Similar Products Used:

Adcom
NAD
Musical Fidelity
EAR
Parasound

Doing the job of a preamp right

-captive power cord -cosmetics (e.g. cheap "feel" of volume knob will make you use remote instead)

Wow! I can not recommend this preamp high enough. It's all about music. Either it's present or it is not. With RC 995 I finally extracted music from my system: -Rotel RB 991 -Rotel RDD 980 transport -MSB LinkDacIII -MSB P1000 power supply -Paradigm Monitor 9 -Thorens 320 -Rochlin Digital IC -custom silver ICs -DIY CAT5 speaker cables Rotel RC995 takes place among preamps like BMW among sport cars. There are products many times more expensive, there are products with luxury allure, but it does not make Rotel RC995 less competent. The guitar of Eliades Ochoa, the female vocals (Ella, Holly Cole, Patricai Barber)chamber music on period instruments, Buena Vista Social Club,everything sounded like MUSIC. My search for a preamp is finally over. There is no better match for Rotel RB 991 for reasonable price. I suggest to all Rotel RB 991/1080 owners who currently use RC 1070 to buy RC995 one and give it a try and finally hear what their power amps are capable of. When new, it sold for $900. For that money, perhaps one could buy a better preamp. Today, at around $450-500 it is no brainer. If you are shopping for a preamp, give it a try. And use the money you saved to buy more CDs.

Similar Products Used:

rotel rc 1070

Does everything very well including the phono stage for my previous & recently destroyed dl 103 low output m/c cart. Benefits from mounting on cones. Responds to the use of quality interconnects.Iv'e heard better but at a frighteningly expensive diminishing return.As a bonus the remote also operates the meridian cd!

nothing.

Terrific! Purchased to replace a solid- state prototype Theta balanced line stage as I was connecting a turntable to the system. Used with a Meridian 506/20 cd, DIY turntable/modded rb300/denon dl 160 to a Proton AA460 dual mono pro amp & DIY Vifa mtm speakers. Interconnects are VDH hybrid between the t/t & ME Phono stage (that I prefer to use with my current high output dl 160 cart), silver spiral from the phono stage to the RC995. VDH The First between the Meridian & RC995. MIT Terminator Proline balanced XLR from the RC995 to the Proton & Kimber to the speakers. The next upgrade will be a pair of 6c33c monoblocks but have no intention of parting with the RC995. I am happy to ethusiasticly reccommend it to anyone!!

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Can't be compared to the Theta with separate power supply & minimilstic design & blue alps volume pot but was & is still a surprisingly competent pre-amp'

Neutral, clean, transparent... User friendly control

Captive power cord, an easy upgrade

I just replaced an Audiolab 8000LX integrated that was doing preamp duty with this baby :) The 8000LX was good but wow the 995 is so transparent sounding, simply stunning. I cannot imagine the need to upgrade anytime soon. My system: Rotel RCD-971 CD Player (modded to accept upgradeable power cord) Signal Cable Analogue Two Interconnect (awaiting an MIT terminator2) Aragon 2004 mkII Amplifier (v.nice) PowerVar Power Conditioner 5 amp 600w AC filter (for Digital) PowerVar Power Conditioner 12 amp 1400w AC filter (awaiting arrival for Analog) Home made CAT-5 Speaker cable and Signal cable biwire (experimenting) B&W P-4 Florstanders (love these) The remote controls my CD player too, which is a big bonus. Reiterate all the previous comments. I am going to mod the 995 to accept an upgradeable power cord, this was an amazing (and cheap) upgrade for the RCD-971, fantastic results. Hint: take the IEC inlet out of one those old computer power supplies.

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Creek 4330R Audiolab 8000LX Pioneer A400

Very detailed and sweet.

Nothing for the price.

Very delicate & warm sound. Very detailed and quiet also. Line inputs are perfect, and phono stage is good enough for the price.

Great value ($699 list - $600 or so street price), bonus phono input, balanced outputs, Great imaging !

None really, requires a break in period to sound its best

When I first tried this preamp out at home on a trial basis - it sounded a little bottom heavy and the top end a little muted and congested. I then played my CD player through it for 12 hours that night into the next morning with the power amp off to break it in. WHAT a difference the next day ! - Very clean and detailed top end and no mid bass bloat anymore - I was always a little leary of people saying that electronic gear sometimes needs a break in but now I am a believer !!
Soundstage is wide and deep - Much better sense of instrument decay and feeling of a realistic instrument or human voice in front of you. Its strongest suit to me is imaging - You can pinpoint the location of kick drums, cymbals, high hats in a drum set up with ease. Voices have a much better solid location between the speakers and don't wander during the song. This thing images better than the Krell KAV 300I I used to own..
Great transient response - for the first time on piano music I can hear that key hit and then the note - Try playing track 15 of the Chesky demonstration disk with Macoy Tyner on a solo sax - You can hear him as a firm image halfway between center and the right speaker. The close miking allows you to hear the slight clack as he closes the keys after each note.

Equipment used
Rotel RC 995 preamp
Rotel RA 981 power amp
Nakamichi MB1s CD player
B&W P5 speakers
DH SilverSonic interconnects

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Audio Electronics A-3, Dyna PAS3, Krell KAV 300I

Clean & powerful bass, flexible system remote, bargain price, features.

Can sound a bit muddy, but only in comparison with the best.

I recently auditioned the RCD995 at home and compared it against my LINN preamp. The LINN is approx. 5 yrs old. I was quite impressed with the sound quality of the Rotel. It was detailed, very clean, had good weight to the notes and had very good bass weight and slam without being wooly. The Kairn did not have the same bass drive but excelled in the areas of refinement and the ability to pick apart the lines in the music, making it easier to hear individual instruments and listen to the details. Also the LINN had the capability to convey the emotion in the music. Listening to Ramstein on the MATRIX soundtrack, the LINN communicated a snarly, aggressive character to the guitar that that the Rotel couldn't quite muster.

However, the Rotel was easily >90% of the LINN in performance but was only 20% of the price. I wouldn't trade my LINN for the Rotel but if I was to do it over again, a comparison of the two would leave me wondering whether the LINN was worth the extra 10% performance improvement for the money. The Rotel 995 is at the apex of the the trendline for the law of diminishing returns. A very good product capable of being partnered with some fine electronics and speakers.

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LINN Kairn with Switching Power Supply. Auditioned in LINN Aktiv Bi-Amped system LK-140's and Keilidhs.

The Sound....The Bass is wonderfull. It has a 3D fell to it..Example: When listening to Rock music (which i do 90% pct of the time.), the bassdrum sound almost like its physically in the room....And it sound as if my speakers goes deeper than usual..The midrange is nice and smooth..Nothing sticks out from the rest..And i noticed things i´ve never heard before, like track 3 on Pearl Jams "Vitalogy" ...Its start of with a basic drum rythm and all of a sudden i heard some distortion and i wondered if it were the preamp, but no, it was just a guitar i never heard before...And finally the top...It´s very nice and smooth..Lot´s of room and ambience..Just perfect.....

Well, i only had it for a week, but so far i noticed no errors, that being mechanically and soundwise....The remotes a bit big, but since it can control both my preamp and my cd-player (Rotel RCD 965 LE, modified.) i guess i can live with it....

I´m surprices what quality sound you get from this pre-amp compared to it´s relativ low pricetag. I was so lucky to buy mine secondhand at half it´s price, so that made things even better.....I paid around 400$ and the retailprice is around 810$ here in denmark...A absolute bargain..

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Audiolab 8000 A, not ecsactly a preamp, but i worked nicely though...