Can I use anything in this to make a chip amp

dstockwell · 3rd August 2005, 08:05 PM

Sorry I am not familiar enough to know, but from all I have been reading chip amps are the thing. Guess if not I can go ask the SS guys about mods, this is a Rotel RB 850.

Stocker · 3rd August 2005, 08:49 PM

If it works, why bother?

If not, why not fix it?

If you just have to (or are itching to) modify it for a GC amplifier, you can likely use the transformers, rectifiers, capacitors (if they are still good), heatsinks and chassis with hardware. The voltage on the power supply may need to be modified but that is doable.

dstockwell · 3rd August 2005, 08:57 PM

Works fine, just reading everything on GC says its a very good sounding product, far superior to this. But then I am new to all this stuff.

dnsey · 3rd August 2005, 09:06 PM

If international shipping wasn't so expensive, I'd gladly swap your amp for a full kit of GC parts!

Tekko · 3rd August 2005, 09:20 PM

I´m 100% sure this Rotel sounds way better than a wimpy gainclone, DONT hurt it.

Rotel are real quality pieces of equipment.

dstockwell · 3rd August 2005, 09:26 PM

Thanks, not gonna hurt it..

Tekko · 3rd August 2005, 09:27 PM

Btw what model is it ?

dstockwell · 3rd August 2005, 09:35 PM

RB 850, I have two I run in bridged mono.

carlmart · 3rd August 2005, 11:59 PM

That Rotel amplifier has potential to become a very good sounding amp.

Go here and have a look at this thread:

Rotel RB850 Still Current? Schematic Included

Do contact that Rotel's owner to see what he did and worked well.

There's a circuit there for you to have a look.

To start with do upgrade those RCA input jacks with something more decent. The speaker connectors could be changed too.

There's good potential for improvement by upgrading the capacitors, particularly the input cap (C602) and the DC feedback cap (C606).

The feedback resistors should be the best you can afford. Mouser stocks the Caddock MK132 in 10K and 500R values, which you can use to replace R636 and R312 respectively.

The small capacitors should be upgraded for polystyrene or polypropylene, particularly if they are ceramics.

In the supply you may try similar MUR 860 diodes to those used on GCs to replace the bridges.

How old is the amp? A PS caps upgrade might be in order.

Carlos

Tekko · 4th August 2005, 08:00 AM

I was about to buy a rb 850 once but changed my mind because i thought the heatsinks were too small and bought a pioneer amp instead, it was a dumb choice as i got haunted by a chat fella for it for the rest of the time i was on that chat.

3rd August 2005, 08:05 PM	#1
dstockwell diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgia	Can I use anything in this to make a chip amp Sorry I am not familiar enough to know, but from all I have been reading chip amps are the thing. Guess if not I can go ask the SS guys about mods, this is a Rotel RB 850.

3rd August 2005, 08:49 PM	#2
Stocker diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Austin	If it works, why bother? If not, why not fix it? If you just have to (or are itching to) modify it for a GC amplifier, you can likely use the transformers, rectifiers, capacitors (if they are still good), heatsinks and chassis with hardware. The voltage on the power supply may need to be modified but that is doable. __________________ Jesus loves you.

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3rd August 2005, 08:57 PM	#3
dstockwell diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgia	Works fine, just reading everything on GC says its a very good sounding product, far superior to this. But then I am new to all this stuff.

3rd August 2005, 09:06 PM	#4
dnsey diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Shropshire, England	If international shipping wasn't so expensive, I'd gladly swap your amp for a full kit of GC parts!

3rd August 2005, 09:20 PM	#5
Tekko diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005	I´m 100% sure this Rotel sounds way better than a wimpy gainclone, DONT hurt it. Rotel are real quality pieces of equipment.

3rd August 2005, 09:26 PM	#6
dstockwell diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgia	Thanks, not gonna hurt it..

3rd August 2005, 09:27 PM	#7
Tekko diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005	Btw what model is it ?

3rd August 2005, 09:35 PM	#8
dstockwell diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Georgia	RB 850, I have two I run in bridged mono.

3rd August 2005, 11:59 PM	#9
carlmart diyAudio Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Brazil	That Rotel amplifier has potential to become a very good sounding amp. Go here and have a look at this thread: Rotel RB850 Still Current? Schematic Included Do contact that Rotel's owner to see what he did and worked well. There's a circuit there for you to have a look. To start with do upgrade those RCA input jacks with something more decent. The speaker connectors could be changed too. There's good potential for improvement by upgrading the capacitors, particularly the input cap (C602) and the DC feedback cap (C606). The feedback resistors should be the best you can afford. Mouser stocks the Caddock MK132 in 10K and 500R values, which you can use to replace R636 and R312 respectively. The small capacitors should be upgraded for polystyrene or polypropylene, particularly if they are ceramics. In the supply you may try similar MUR 860 diodes to those used on GCs to replace the bridges. How old is the amp? A PS caps upgrade might be in order. Carlos

4th August 2005, 08:00 AM	#10
Tekko diyAudio Member Join Date: Jan 2005	I was about to buy a rb 850 once but changed my mind because i thought the heatsinks were too small and bought a pioneer amp instead, it was a dumb choice as i got haunted by a chat fella for it for the rest of the time i was on that chat.

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