Rotel C8
Rotel C8 power amplifier, class AB 8-channel, designed for custom multizone installations with matrixed inputs and compact rack format.
Description
The Rotel C8 is a class AB power amplifier designed for custom multizone audio installations. It powers up to 8 audio channels from a single chassis, making it possible to cover several rooms or several pairs of speakers without multiplying the number of units.
The unit delivers 8x70 watts into 4 ohms at maximum power, or 8x50 watts RMS into 8 ohms. These channels can be bridged to achieve 140 watts into 4 ohms, a useful option when one zone requires more power than another. Total harmonic distortion and intermodulation distortion both remain below 0.1%, ensuring clean reproduction across all channels. The damping factor of 80 reflects good control over the loudspeakers, while the signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB and crosstalk above 50 dB limit interference between channels. The frequency response extends from 10 Hz to 100 kHz (0 ± 0.5 dB), well beyond the audible spectrum, ensuring stable response across the entire usable band.
In terms of connectivity, the C8 offers 4 stereo line inputs matrixed to all zones, one stereo line output and 4 stereo speaker outputs. The front panel allows source selection and independent adjustment of volume as well as bass and treble frequencies for each zone.
Its purpose-built 2U height fits into a rack without requiring additional clearance above or below, making it easy to integrate into a technical rack dedicated to a multizone installation.
This type of amplifier is intended for structured home automation or multiroom installations, where several listening zones need to be controlled and adjusted independently from a central point, for example in residential integration.
Technical specifications
| Maximum output power | 8x70 W (4 Ohms) |
| RMS output power | 8x50 W (8 Ohms) |
| Total harmonic distortion | < 0.1% |
| Intermodulation distortion | < 0.1% |
| Frequency response | 10 Hz - 100kHz (0 ± 0.5 dB) |
| Damping factor | 80 |
| Input sensitivity / impedance | 0.3 V / 31k ohms |
| Input overload threshold | 2.8 V |
| Signal to noise ratio | 100 dB (IHF "A" weighted) |
| Crosstalk/Channel separation | > 50 dB |
| Connections | 4x stereo line inputs, 1x stereo line output, 4x stereo speaker outputs |
What to check before buying used
On a multizone amplifier like the C8, test each of the eight channels separately: a faulty potentiometer or protection relay can cut out a single zone without affecting the others. Check for the absence of hum or distortion at low volume, a common sign of ageing capacitors, as well as the solidity of the speaker and line connections, which are often stressed in built-in installations. The ventilation and condition of the heatsink also deserve inspection, as this compact format runs hotter than a conventional two-channel amplifier.
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