Rotel Rcd-991 as transport.

[Wayne Elliott]

Having bought one of Joe's JLTI players about 10 months ago, I've had my old Rotel RCD-991 just lying around. I'm setting up a 2nd system and was wandering if the Rotel had a good enough transport to be used with a high quality Dac? If not any suggestions of what transport I should look for?

Another option is to have the player upgraded (modded) by Gary Cawsey. Was impressed by the sound of the little modded Rotel @ the show last year. Although this option would lack the flexability of the first option. Anyone have experience of the Cawsey mod's?

[teagle]

Funnily enough I was using 991 as transport driving Audio Synthesis Discrete multibit DAC prior to Joe R. modding my Sony SACD player, since when its been in the shed. I don't recall any issues, although the drawer was a bit flimsy. The991 certainly benefitted from a Russ Andrews Ref. Power Cord, improving the bass! I use the Dac on the end of a squeezebox touch & is capable of 24/96 over coax. I don't know whether you would consider that HQ enough?

[Super Mustud]

The 991 was the great Rotel machine of its day.

http://www.gramophone.net/Issue/Page/January%202000/144/799747/Rotel+CD+flagship+has+power+and+poise

I used it as a transport into a Wadia 27ix DAC for a few months while fixing up my usual transport of the time. Very happy with the results.

[RoHo]

I have owned a 991 for many years and now use it as a transport. The strength of the RCD991 was the quality of the engineering and parts. Multiple power supplies with discrete regulation, PCM63 DACs/PMD100 filter, above average op-amps, lots of poly-prop caps. Unfortunately when you use it as a transport you are junking most of this and keeping what is probably the weakest link - the standard Sony mechanism. I have often toyed with the idea of adding a fancy clock but I'm not convinced I'll get significant improvements. One day I'll do it just for fun. I can't see other mods giving big improvements

Don't get me wrong, I think like most Rotel gear it gives great bang for buck. You'd probably need to spend 2-3 times the price for a worthwhile upgrade.

[techspurt]

PCM63 is indeed a true classic DAC - its datasheet sports figures which beat the next generation PCM1704.

[Toisich-Jnr]

I heard a Rotel 991 a few years back playing through Rotel amplification and then Sonus Faber speakers. Sounded very good indeed. As a transport it should be quality.

[Wayne Elliott]

Thanks everyone for their input. Much appreciated.