Seven Class AB channels for home cinema and multi-zone installations
Rotel RMB-1587 MKII is a Class AB multichannel power amplifier rated at 155 W per channel into 8 ohms and 250 W per channel into 4 ohms with all channels driven, designed for home cinema systems and distributed audio.
The power supply is sized to support several loudspeakers at the same time, a more demanding condition than testing one channel alone. Dual high-current toroidal transformers and low-ESR slit-foil capacitors provide the required reserve, while discrete circuits and trigger functions simplify installation in racks and dedicated cinema rooms.
Key features
- Seven channels of Class AB amplification.
- 155 W per channel into 8 ohms with all channels driven.
- 250 W per channel into 4 ohms with all channels driven.
- THD below 0.03%.
- Dual high-current toroidal transformers.
- Low-ESR slit-foil capacitors.
- RCA and balanced XLR inputs.
- Damping factor of 330.
Power with all channels driven
RMB-1587 MKII delivers 155 W per channel into 8 ohms and 250 W per channel into 4 ohms with all seven channels active. The all-channels-driven figure is important in a multichannel system because it describes supply capability when several loudspeakers demand current simultaneously during a dynamic soundtrack.
High-current power supply
Dual high-current toroidal transformers support the power section. The reserve is sized for simultaneous use of all channels and reduces the risk that peaks on one loudspeaker take energy from the others, maintaining more stable behaviour across the system.
Capacitors and transients
Low-ESR slit-foil capacitors support transients and bass when effects involve several channels, while low internal resistance helps transfer energy rapidly to the output stages without introducing a slow response under load.
Class AB and response
Declared THD is below 0.03% and frequency response runs from 10 Hz to 100 kHz. A damping factor of 330 contributes to woofer control, particularly useful when several large loudspeakers are driven in the same room.
Inputs and AV processor
RCA and balanced XLR inputs allow connection to surround processors and preamplifiers with different outputs. The MKII version updates circuits and components in the power-supply and amplification stages. The power amplifier remains independent of decoding and can be retained when the upstream processor changes.
Trigger and installation
The 12 V trigger allows the power amplifier to switch on with the processor or a control system. Installation functions reduce the need for manual intervention when the unit is placed in a technical rack or dedicated cinema room.
Chassis and thermal management
The chassis measures 431 x 237 x 456 mm and weighs 37.6 kg. Heatsinks, power supply and amplification modules occupy most of the structure and are distributed to encourage cooling while keeping input sections away from the main sources of heat and magnetic field.
