AM-9080 or rotel rb-985 for Polks? (1 Viewer)

[Brian Treinen]

I've been lurking and searching for quite a while here. I've got a 3802 that I'd like to take some of the load off of and have a chance at either of these amps at a decent price right now. I'm leaning towards the 9080 but the 985 sure has some excellent reveiws. Any input on either from previous owners? I've got Polks all around - RTA11t mains (6 ohm), CS400 center and f/x 500i with RT25i for surround and rear surround.

 

[Kyle_Y]

I have also read from audioreview.com that 9080 is not that reliable, however at this forum, people seem to love it. I don't think the internal components are as good as the Rotel but the 9080 does have 3 transformers.

 

[Camp]

I've had my 9080 for 3 days now and it has yet to break.

 

[Jeff Hipps]

I don't know where anyone got information that the AM-9080 is not reliable. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are virtually bullet proof. The hard part with the amp is finding one.

Jeff

 

[John Tompkins]

I've had both, mated with nht 2.9 speakers and I must tell the truth..The sherwood kills the 985. Sound is much smoother/warmer and better build, runs cooler and weighs much more, better binding posts, well you get the point

 

[StevenK]

I have the 9080 and it ab-so-freakin-lute-ly rocks my NHT 2.5's. I don't know if that's a magical combination, as I've read that this combo matches so well, but I would guess that the 9080 would make any speaker sound beautiful. I honestly don't know how they managed to sell these things so low.

 

[Gil D]

Jeff Hipps,

Will the new Sherwood pre/pro due out later this year be able to trigger the AM9080 amp? Is it possible for one to create a small circuit to be able to do this function for those of us mating this amp to another receiver or preamp? Would appreciate any tips on how to implement such a circuit - feel free to email me the details. I really overlooked the Sherwood because of this.

Can you tell us what amplifier products will be replacing the 9080 and also how the new pre/pro might compare featurewise to the Outlaw 950. I would really like to see an analog crossover at 60-80Hz that can be switched into the analog bypass path (for any analog stereo input) as well as on the 5/7 ch external inputs. I run monitors and a passive sub (as do many others) and rely on the pre-pro/receiver to handle the bass management. Denon has a hybrid analog hi pass and digital low pass that I rely on to do this function for SACD.

Thanks much for contributing on this forum,

Gil