articulate and musical, price

none found yet.

Why add another review to this list when there are so many positive one. Well, I was very imptessed with this player for the money. This little Rotel is a great CD player. I can't imagine beating it for the price you can buy it for used today. It was the last piece to tie my system together. I had built my system and neglected the CD player by going with an inexpensive Marantz CD5000. I wanted to save some money and wait to buy a "good" Cd player. My system sounded horrible. It was very bright and actually hurt my ears. Granted my new speakers where much more detailed and exposed any weak link in the system and the CD player was screaming for replacement. I had already spent more than I had intended on the rest of the system so I wanted to find something inexpensive to keep me happy until I could afford a better CD player. I knew Rotel made good stuff so it seemed like a safe bet. So I purchased a used 971 without listening and brought it home. WOW, major difference. Midrange detail, bass, and soundstaging are great. I also replaced the interconnects. I am very happy with this system now. I originally thought I'ld get an in-expensive cdplayer and save for a used Wadia or Levinson, but why? This player sounds great. It's not a Wadia or Levinson, but it's very close and ridiculously cheap compared to the others. I would normally give it a four, but due to the price, it's a 5. My completed System: Rotel 971 Cd Adcom GFP 750 Pass Labs Aleph 5 B&W N804 Transparent Link 100 Cardas 300B Nordost Blue Heaven Bi-Wire

Similar Products Used:

Marantz Cd5000, Son DVD player, Krell 300cd, Levinson 39,

Clean & transparent. Good but not outstanding bass.

Lean mids; long break-in period

Very clean, open & transparent. Good soundstage effects. Smooth texture but a bit lean in the middle - not as balanced as the better players in the $1K -$2K range. Good buy for money though!

Similar Products Used:

Arcam, Marantz

Excellent midrange, control in the bottom end, and smooth highs. Price.

Lack of removable cord, and remote could be better.

I finally completed the LC Audio ZAPfilter Mk. II installation on the Rotel RCD-971 CD player. It was extremely time consuming, but a worthwhile upgrade for anyone looking for a great tweak without spending a lot of money. The LC Audio LClock XO was also installed inside the unit. Since the Rotel RCD-971 doesn''t have a lot of space available, I had to do a lot of modifications to fit the ZAPfilter inside. Much of the work was based on my own ideas, although I did get a lot of help from Kevin Haskins of DIYCable.com (which I would personally like to thank for his help.) I figured since I put a lot of work into this that I should post the information so that others may use it. I figure at best, it can shave at least 2 hours off your installation time by not having to "guess" at how you fit everything in such a small space. As for the sound, I only listened to few CDs before I had to package it up and send it back to its owner. The unit was not mine, someone was paying me to do the installation for them. What I can tell you about the short lived audition was that it was nothing short of amazing compared to the stock 971. It easily brought the performance up to the next level. While I''m not so sure it will beat out $2k and above players as stated on the LC Audio web site, I am very confident to say it is definitely a contender in the sub $2k range for one great sounding player for the money. The sound was very inviting; something close to that of a tube output stage, but a little dryer and not quite as warm in presentation. I feel it had much better bottom end control than anything you''re going to get from an opamp change or similiar modification. Plus the midrange I found to be a lot more fuller and less cluttered than before. Finally, any brightness you might have found in the highs was pleasantly gone. I highly recommend this modification for anyone who owns a 971. It''s definitely a worthwhile upgrade, considering the cost for the performance gains. The only negative I can point out is the loss of gain you''re going to experience with the ZAPfilter. You definitely don''t want to do this if you have a passive pre-amplifier as the gain probably won''t be high enough for you. If you would like the modification done and don''t have skills or know how, please contact me for details. http://home.attbi.com/~ericdube1/zapfilter/

I have NO need for SACD or DVDA after the upgrade, and if the time will come for SACD or DVDA to be a common media, I’ll look for LC-Audio for their tuning products.

You need a good set-up to bring the best out of the tuned RCD971.

Two month ago I sent my RCD971 to LC-Audio in Denmark for a full upgrade, including: The ZAPfilter Mk2 including a Schottky Power Supply and the LClock XO 2, + 2 XLR plugs for true Balanced output. And I sent them a DNM power cord, which they installed for free. I have now a true balance connection from CD to the Amps. With a very short run of 1.15m from very amp to its speaker. Conclusion: After a long break-in period of 2 month and changing the speaker cables to QED Genesis Silverspiral Bi-wire, I feel that I have now reached my goal, which started last time when I added a second Bel-Canto power amp to me set-up. This addition threw the whole system out of balance. The sound was bigger and punchier, but the soundstage did not have enough depth as it was too “near” + I could hear any inaccuracy of the CDP. So my next step was the upgrade of the CDP at LC-Audio. The result is now a crystal clear and super accurate sound, very fast and punchy with a lot of detail and air and a vast improvement to the ambience. I cannot stop listening to CD''s and especially to classical music. Violins sound sweet and natural as never heard before. On good recordings I can “feel” the air coming out from brass instruments … The only problem is, that it turns out to be a real addiction ;) as soon as I come home, I put on a CD and my wife has a difficult time trying to talk to me J) My setup: Rotel RCD971 Bel Canto: PRe1 2 x Bel Canto: EVo 200.2™ bridged, working as monoblocks. Main speakers: Sonus Faber Concerto Sub: REL Strata III

No need for SACD or DVDA, and if the time will come for SACD or DVDA to be a common media, I’ll look for LC-Audio for their tuning products.

You need a good set-up to get the best out of the tuned RCD971.

Two month ago I sent my RCD971 to LC-Audio in Denmark for a full upgrade, including: The ZAPfilter Mk2 including a Schottky Power Supply and the LClock XO 2, + 2 XLR plugs for true Balanced output. + I sent them a DNM power cord, which they installed for free. I have now a true balance connection from CD to the Amps. With a very short run of 1.15m from evry amp to its speaker. Conclusion: After a long break-in period of 2 month and changing the speaker cables to QED Genesis Silverspiral Bi-wire, I feel that I have now reached my goal, which started last time when I added a second Bel-Canto power amp to me set-up. This addition threw the whole system out of balance. The sound was bigger and punchier, but the soundstage did not have enough depth as it was too “near” + I could hear any inaccuracy of the CDP. So my next step was the upgrade of the CDP at LC-Audio. The result is now a crystal clear and super accurate sound, very fast and punchy with a lot of detail and air and a vast improvement to the ambience. I cannot stop listening to CD''s, specially to classical music. Violins sound sweet and natural as never heard before. On good recordings I can “feel” the air coming out from brass instruments … The only problem is, that it turns out to be a real addiction ;) as soon as I come home, I put on a CD and my wife has a difficult time trying to talk to me :) My setup: Rotel RCD971 Bel Canto: PRe1 2 x Bel Canto: EVo 200.2™ bridged, working as monoblocks. Main speakers: Sonus Faber Concerto Sub: REL Strata III

HDCD, price, sound quality

noisy tray

I bought this CD player (about 470 USD) after reading some very positive magazine reviews about it. I dont have time audition any components at the shops so I crossed my fingers and hoped it would be as good as they said.

After leaving it on repeat for 24 hours I started listening to it with a clear memory of how the replaced player sounded (Pioneer PD-501S). Most of my listening, up to 90%, is done via headphones (Musical Fidelity X-Cans + AKG K-501 + QED Qnect2 interconnects) so even the smallest differences are heard.

To put an analogy of my first impression, it was like switching from a small renault to a 5 series BMW, so big was the difference. What most impressed initially was soundstage, musicians weren't player shoulder to shoulder anymore and there was real depth.

With the Rotel instruments and voices sounded far more natural with plenty of detail, and bass wasn't as one note as with the Pioneer. I could hear things the Pioneer was masking like recording studio reverberations, finger freting, musicians' breath and so on. It was much more like being there. But everything has its downside, and I found some records I used to enjoy weren't as well produced as I thought and now I find it harder to play them.

Compared with players like the Krell, Theta or Copeland, it certainly lacks punch and refinement, but for me not enough to justify the extra expenditure unless you are extremelly rich or the rest of your system is also very hi-end.

I only have a handful of HDCD encoded records (Supertramp-Somethings Never Change , Dire Straits-Sultans of Swing, Mark Knopler-Golden Heart, Neil Young-Broken Arrow and America-Human Nature), some are excellent productions and offer some advantage in definition over standard CDs, but I think is up to the engineers to give the recording its quality and not so much to the encoding.

Build quality is in accordance with the asking price. I had read about the Rotel being slowin reading the TOC, the tray being noisy and that it wasn't possible to close the tray and make the player start with any track that wasn't number 1. Of all these, only the second is true with my unit. As I seat very close to the system rack, on the quiet parts of songs I can hear the disc spinning wich is rather annoying, more so if the disc is dirty, but this isnt a problem when listening through the speakers or sitting a couple of mts away.

Of all the players at the same price level I have listened to, the Rotel is the best without any doubt. I'd recommend it heartly to anyone with a 500 USD budget.

Similar Products Used:

Pioneer , Denon and Sony mid range CD players, Theta Miles, Krell CD300, Copeland 289

HDCD, Sound Quality (enough can't be said here), Remote (I actually like it), Digital Coax Output, Aluminum Face Plate

Tray could be a bit sturdier (although it has not broke.)

I've already given a review of the product, but I feel I should given a more detailed review than my first review. I have been using the CD player for about 1 hour day since I bought it in September 1999.

It does require a bit of a break-in period, but I feel it is not as long as some people say. I started experiencing better sound within the first 2 months of operation.

I was surprised on how many people emailed me asking my opinion on this player and where I bought it for $630 in NH. I got the unit at Ensemble Audio/Video (www.ensembleav.com) in Nashua, NH, and I haven't regretted buying this since I took out my credit card.

The sound has only grown on me. I have it connected to an Adcom GFP-565 (passive) with a pair of Nordost Blue Heaven interconnects. The soundstage is deep and clear/clean. I honestly feel this is an excellent value for the money.

I admit I've been a bit discouraged about the sound quality of my Adcom GFA-5300 amps (I have two bi-amped to a pair of B&W DM604 S2 using Tara Labs RSC Prime 1000 Bi-Wire speaker wire and AudioQuest Opal X3 Interconnects (I know, the interconnects cost me more than the amps!!)), but I guess that is to be expected of that amp. It's like puting a Ferrari engine in a Yugo.

I will soon (1-2 weeks) be replacing both my Adcom GFA-5300's with a Rotel RB-1090 (can't say enough about this Rotel piece of hardware either.) I should soon be able to experience the full capacity of my Rotel RCD-971 CD player soon enough!

One final thought, I am currently looking into the L C Audio (www.lcaudio.com) upgrades. Supposidly, the ($150) upgrade will out perform a stock RCD-991. Has anyone done the upgrade? I would like to hear from anyone who has done this as I think I am going to embark on the same upgrade within a month or so.

Once again, I will be keeping my rating of 5 stars. This is one sweet CD Player. It can put out a lot, you just have to give it the right equipment to let it show you what it's made of.

Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planet, Marantz, Adcom GCD-750, Pioneer Elite, Sony ES

Fantastic sound and detail. Good steady bass.

Disappointing tracking and tray.

I'm new to the audio world but what an introduction the 971 gave me. I was listening to my friend's $3000 Lector (tube CD player) and comparing with the 971, the 971 is slightly colder but the detail is amazing. The bass is steady and does not overpower but compliments the midrange and hi's nicely. Great full bodied sound! Rotel has a sure winner and I am convinced to stick with the 971 in my next upgrade or get the 991 (cost is a major factor here for me). So for great sound, value for $ and hours of pleasure, go for Rotel 971 or the 991.
my setup:
CD Player: Rotel 971 (*****)
Amp: Integrated Allegro Mini MK3
Speakers: ProAc Tablette 50 Signature
Cables: VDH D103-MK3 Interconnects, Nordost biwirable Flatliner.

Similar Products Used:

Don't know if a Lector is similiar enough

HDCD, Sound Quality (enough can't be said here), Remote (I actually like it), Digital Coax Output, Aluminum Face Plate

Tray could be a bit sturdier (although it has not broke.)

I know quite a few of you have emailed me about the L C Audio upgrades to this already amazing CD player.

Well, after bugging Lars Clausen of L C Audio I managed to get him to put up some rather detailed instructions pertaining to the Rotel RCD-971 along with some great pictures on their website. It can be found at: http://www.lcaudio.com/intlcl6.htm
(Scroll down to the Rotel RCD-971 section.)

It doesn't look that difficult to do. Lars says it takes about 30 minutes if you have some good soldering skills, patience, and a little technical know how. I'm seriously considering doing it. Once modified the sound quality is apparently better than the RCD-991 which costs twice as much.

The price for the upgrade is $150 US dallors. For that price, I don't think you can go wrong. They also offer modified new Rotel RCD-971 units for a little bit more than retail.

If I do this, I promise I will post a review. And if anyone has done this already, please share this with everyone or just email me. Thank you in advance.

Similar Products Used:

Rega Planet, Marantz, Adcom GCD-750, Pioneer Elite, Sony ES

Good sonics. Makes buying a more expensive player silly. Get another DVD player with the money you save and enjoy your tunes on the best bargain on this side of high end audio

seek mode alittle slow. Still alittle pricey. Might scare away folks considering lesser Sony..and thier ilk.

A value are a thing or things you get for the money you buy with. Exceptional strong value permeats this little 2 inch and half tall,unassuming cd player by Rotel. All the usual goodies in the 971. BHC slit foil capacitors,Vishay resistors and a very good transport. Uncertain which one though. All of these components when matched with Rotels' great care,conspire to make other cd players out there unreasonable and overpriced. Bass is tight and well articulated. The midrange though a bit vague on some of my favorite recordings is otherwise unoffensive,and that is very good. On my Steely Dan album,the percussion,and vocals were the first to strike me as special. Though I would not confuse this unit with other stratosphere gear, this 971 pleasantly surprised me with its pace,and detail. Its low level detail were very well done. The highs are a bit tilted up for my taste, but break in on this unit is still in progress, so some slack is nice here. While comparing the Rotel to my dual ladder converter Nakamichi, I noticed that my Nakamichi had better extension down low, but its articulation was no better than the Rotels. I am talking minute differences here. I am amazed at how superior this 971 sounds over its sibbling, the 951. The 951 sounds incomplete, and compressed and strains to deliver that timbre and tonality that the 971 does without breaking a sweat. Quality interconnects are advised here too. Clean power and a great selection of your favorite cds' and a favorite comfy chair,and you are ready for some serious enjoyment. Oh by the way, the HDCD filter decoder is included, so those high resolution discs you may want to play, can be played as intended. So that is it in a nutshell. Fine sonics,comensurate build for the price,though the tray is rather a mystery to me too,but that aside, you are seriously hard pressed to find better. Compare with the Sony XA-20ES just for fun. The price is close. It is nice to see Rotel build another fine compenent that is musical for us all to enjoy. V.C.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel RDV-985,Nad 502,Nakamichi Oms-5,Sony 505esd