The C8+ is a multi-zone amplifier by Rotel that delivers 100 watts x 8 channels into 8 ohms continuous with all eight channels driven, and 150 watts x 8 into 4 ohms maximum. Bridged, 300 watts into 4 ohms.. It was released in 2021. It is an 8-channel design using a Class A/B output stage. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The Rotel C8+ has an MSRP of $3,499.
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on a multi-zone amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Rotel C8+ is rated at 100 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Rotel provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.1% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 100 watts into 8-ohms (10 Hz-100 kHz) at 0.1%
- 150 watts into 4-ohms
- 100dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 100 watts actually play in your room? →
When pairing the Rotel C8+ with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Rotel C8+, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Rotel C8+ has total of 4 Analog inputs .
Rotel C8+ Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 4
- 4 Optical Digital Input
- Yes Coaxial Digital Input
Outputs
DAC and Digital Music
The Rotel C8+'s built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
Zones and channels
The Rotel C8+ has
8 amplifier channels, which is
4 stereo zones from one chassis. That is the
number to compare across this category, not the watts: a distribution amplifier is
bought to replace 4 separate stereo amplifiers and the rack
space, mains sockets and cabling that go with them.
Most of these will also run each channel as its own mono zone where a room needs a
single speaker, so the stereo figure above is the conservative reading. As the maker
describes it: Yes (4 zones in one chassis).
What the power figure actually means
Rotel C8+ is rated
100 watts into 8 ohms with every channel driven at once,
which is 800 watts in total and the strict way to measure a multi-channel amplifier. Most makers of any kind of
multi-channel amplifier publish a figure measured with two channels running and the
rest idle, which flatters a shared power supply. This one does not.
As the manufacturer states it: 100 watts x 8 channels into 8 ohms continuous with all eight channels driven, and 150 watts x 8 into 4 ohms maximum. Bridged, 300 watts into 4 ohms.
Feeding it
Sources reach the Rotel C8+ at line
level: 4 analogue line inputs, optical digital in, coaxial digital in.
Everything in this category is designed to sit in a rack behind the scenes, so volume
and source selection are normally handled per zone rather than from a front panel.
Rotel C8+ External Dimensions and Weight
Rotel C8+ has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 3.82inch x 16.93inch x 16.3inch (97mm x 430mm x 414mm ). The unit weighs
18.35 kg (40.5 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Rotel C8+ is approximately 1780.2cm2 / 275.9inch2.
- Width: 430.0mm (16.93")
- Height: 97.0mm (3.82")
- Depth: 414.0mm (16.3")
- Weight: 18.35 kg (40.5 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1780.2cm2 / 275.9inch2
- Volume: ~17.3 liter / 4.6 gallon
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Rotel C8+ Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Rotel C8+
Warranty
2 Years of parts warranty and 2 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Rotel C8+ by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Rotel |
| Full Model Name |
Rotel C8+ |
| Release Date |
2021 |
| Amplifier Type |
Multi-Zone Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
8 |
| Amp Class |
Class A/B |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
100 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
150 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
10 Hz-100 kHz |
| Damping Factor |
80 |
| THD |
0.1% |
| Minimum Impedance |
|
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
100 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
No |
| WiFi |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
4 |
| Phono Input |
No |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
4 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
Yes |
| USB Input |
No |
| Headphone Output |
No |
| Removable Power Cord |
|
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
97.0mm (3.82") |
| Width |
430.0mm (16.93") |
| Depth |
414.0mm (16.3") |
| Weight |
18.35 kg (40.5 lbs) |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
How much power does the Rotel C8+ have?
The Rotel C8+ delivers 100 watts x 8 channels into 8 ohms continuous with all eight channels driven, and 150 watts x 8 into 4 ohms maximum. Bridged, 300 watts into 4 ohms.. It increases its output into 4 ohms, so it has some headroom for harder-to-drive speakers.
Does the Rotel C8+ use vacuum tubes?
No. The Rotel C8+ is a solid-state amplifier - there are no vacuum tubes in it.
What amplifier class is the Rotel C8+?
The Rotel C8+ uses a Class A/B amplifier design. Class A/B is the traditional linear design: it runs warmer and is less efficient than Class D, but it is long valued for its natural, low-distortion sound.
Does the Rotel C8+ have a built-in DAC?
Yes. The Rotel C8+ has a built-in DAC, so you can feed it a digital source directly without buying a separate converter.
Can I connect a turntable to the Rotel C8+?
No. The Rotel C8+ has no phono input, so a turntable needs an external phono preamp (or a deck with one built in) before it can be connected.
Does the Rotel C8+ have Bluetooth?
No. The Rotel C8+ does not have Bluetooth built in; you would need an external Bluetooth receiver connected to one of its inputs.
Does the Rotel C8+ have a headphone output?
No. The Rotel C8+ does not have a headphone output, so headphone listening needs a separate headphone amplifier.
How much does the Rotel C8+ cost?
The Rotel C8+ has a manufacturer's list price (MSRP) of $3,499.
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