New Rotel RMB MKII Multichannel Amps Launched

Rotel's RMB-1587MKII and RMB-1585MKII home cinema amplifiers measure 24 x 43 x 46cm (HxWxD) before you add the optional rack mounting ears and will no doubt make a statement in your home cinema room, as it would be a shame to lock these away in a cabinet and miss out on Rotel's trademark brushed metal finish and those purposeful vents.

Rotel tells us that both new models feature a Class AB amplifier design built around a pair of oversized, in-house manufactured toroidal transformers feeding eight high-efficiency bulk storage capacitors totalling 120,000uF. Keeping things under control in the heat department is a quartet of thermostat-controlled, variable-speed ultra-low-noise fans.

Behind the enigmatic fascias, you either get seven channels of 155 watts each at 8 ohms from the RMB-1587MKII or 210 watts through each of the RMB-1585MKII's five channels. Drop down to 4 ohms, and you get 250 watts or 340 watts per channel, respectively. If you decide to use them in stereo, we are told the RMB-1587MKII will produce 335 wpc, whereas the RMB-1585MKII is apparently good for a whopping 440 watts per channel.

Around the rear of both models, you will find an array of RCA and Balanced XLR inputs with auto-switching to the connected inputs. There is also a 12 V trigger input and output for simplified power control.

Besides their power output, the main difference is that the RMB-1585MKII can be configured as a 3-Channel amplifier supporting a "Bi-Amp mode" of Channels 1+2 and 4+5 via a switch on the rear panel (above). When Bi-Amp is enabled, Channels 1+2 utilise source input #1, while Channels 4+5 use source input #5. This allows individual, isolated amplifiers to be routed to the speakers' HF and LF drivers and ensures precise signal path routing.

The five-channel RMB-1585MKII is priced at £3,599/ €4,199, while the seven-channel RMB-1587MKII sells for £3,799/ €4,399. Both are available in black or silver finishes.

Visit Rotel for more information