The custom integration market experienced a rather significant uptick during the pandemic with tens of millions of consumers stuck at home in North America and the demand for multi-room controllers and amplifiers has never been stronger. Prices have certainly moved upward due to supply chain issues and that trend is unlikely to change in the short-term.
Availability of product is another issue that faces custom installers. Rotel is looking to take advantage of that issue with the brand new Rotel C8 and C8+ Power Amplifiers.
Rotel’s most recent A12MKII, A14MKII, and Michi X3 Integrated Amplifiers have been beyond impressive and provide a solid endorsement in regard to the quality of Rotel’s amplifier technology.
The new Class AB amplifiers leverage Rotel’s 60 years of audio engineering heritage delivering (8) channels of high-performance multi-zone audio. The amplifiers are powered by an oversized, in-house manufactured toroidal transformer feeding an array of high current dedicated output devices comfortably driving even the most demanding loudspeakers in critical listening zones.
The Rotel C8 Custom Installation Amplifier delivers 70 watts of power per channel into 4-ohm loads, and the C8+ Custom Installation Amplifier delivers 150 watts of power per channel into 4-ohm loads, with all channels driven.
The zone outputs are bridgeable to deliver even higher output power per channel and the auto-sensing, auto-switching PA Override feature ensures ultimate installation flexibility.
Both units feature (4) analog source inputs available to all zone outputs through internal matrix switching, further customizable with independent volume, balance, bass, and treble settings. The C8+ also includes two optical and two coaxial digital
inputs supporting 24b/192k audio matrixed to the outputs.
The front panel of each amplifier features a graphic display with controls to ensure user-friendly setup and operation including selection of the active matrixed input source and volume control of each zone in real time.
The custom engineered 2U height chassis does not require top or bottom clearance spacing for ultra-efficient rack mounting with the included rack ears.
The speaker outputs utilize detachable Phoenix connectors for pre-wire installation with worry-free secure screw-locking mechanisms. Ethernet, RS232 and
12V trigger connections provide easy integration with popular control systems, emphasizing the customization available to incorporate these units into virtually any system.
Price & Availability
The Rotel C8 and C8+ will be available in the United States in black finish through Authorized Rotel dealers with shipments beginning in May of 2022 and the rest of the world shortly thereafter.
- C8 – $2,599.00 / £2,350.00 / € 2,600.00 (MSRP)
- C8+ – $3,199.00 / £2,850.00 / € 3,200.00 (MSRP)
For more information: rotel.com
