Rotel RMB-1585 MKII

A true home theater beast

This Rotel RMB-1585 MKII five-channel power amp presents itself to the world with a simply designed and unassuming front panel, but rest-assured there's a purring beast lying inside, waiting to send 210 watts of ultra-clean Class AB power to each of its five channels. This amp is designed first and foremost for home theater installations, so the five channels would typically be assigned to your front left/right/center channels plus two surrounds. But wait: this power amp has a neat trick in its pocket.

A bi-amping champ too

A handy switch on the back of the RMB-1585 MKII toggles between normal five-channel mode and bi-amp mode. In bi-amp mode, Channels 1+2 and Channels 4+5 are wired to receive the same input signal, allowing for simple bi-amplification. This unique configuration lets you devote a separate amplifier channel to the high- and low-frequency driver sections of your front speaker pair, resulting in improved dynamics and enhanced resolution from compatible loudspeakers.

Exquisite circuitry and design

If you've followed Rotel products in the marketplace for any period of time, you know that their pursuit of clean, robust, well-isolated signal paths has led to some of the best-designed audio gear in the industry. Two massive, high-current toroidal transformers — designed and manufactured in-house — allow this amplifier to exert precise control of the drivers, even when using demanding speakers. That translates to clean sound with taut, impactful bass. Four thermostatically controlled, variable-speed ultra-low-noise fans help the internal components perform at maximum efficiency.