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Since you're asking. Everytime I look at an integrated amp only-solution what stops me from purchasing one isn't just the lack of HDMI but also that they're only two-channel. I would give anything to finding an integrated amp with not only adequate power and ARC/eARC...but also capable of supporting a 3.0 and 3.1 setup. I know this would be a hybrid solution, but for one of my rooms I want all the conveniences of an AVR but in an integrated amp presentation. Instead of a unit with a zillion speaker channels I'd like my money to go to a unit with three quality "audiophile" level speaker outputs. For certain rooms due to seating positions, a 2.0 integrated amp just doesn't work well for TV viewing and unfortunately the only solution is an AVR or AVR with an external amplifier and both AVR solutions are an overkill in features for most rooms.
@@BryanRuby You just described my dream component right there! I am with you 100%, and maybe, if the stars align with respect to availability, we'll be able to turn you on to a solution soon.
Hi Andrew this is Ulf from Sweden writing😎 I have the Marantz sr 7012 i drive the fronts with one xtz edge A300 and i+m very happy! I have Monitor audio Silver 300 6G and the C350 centre channel all in white and i´m very happy with them. Maybe i´ll buy another edge A 300 .☺
When I was shopping for amps for my speakers, and after coming across Michi (Rotel is 🔥😉) I honestly couldn't find ANYTHING to convince me to go seperates. The thing Iiked particularly, after struggling already to pair my speakers, was not having to worry about another potential poor pairing. I have always had the opinion that the less connections and cables in your system, the better. For both quality & cleanliness.
I have heard this Integrated while directly comparing to a dozen others. I would agree it's fantastic. It was not "better" than a McIntosh that cost over $5k but it was better than other units that cost more. I also found the best Synergy (tried a dozen different brands with it) was when I auditioned this amp with a pair of kef Q950 You will be hard pressed to beat this combo for even double the cost!
That would require a high end phone or laptop/desktop class processor, ram, and storage which would likely add noise and definitely add a significant amount of cost
Plenty of car audio has the basic features we are discussing, and sell for $80-$100 for in-dash receivers. High end needs to catch up with this basic functionality. If a receiver has a display, the noise is already an issue (in theory), but I’ve never heard anyone complain about noise from a display for stereo or surround pre/pros.
I 100% agree with the HDMI arc connectivity feature. It makes life so much easier in that you do not need to manually switch inputs, use multiple remotes or manually turn on components. Additionally, it helps with cable management as well. It is the reason I use a receiver over an integrated.
I've recently bought a Rotel RCD 1572mk2 cd player to replace my faulty Musical Fidelity M3scd player. I'm so impressed with it that I've been contemplating getting the 1592 to replace my M5si amp. After seeing your review I'm pulling the trigger! I think it'll be a good pairing for my Dynaudio Evoke 20s too. Hopefully they'll benefit from the extra bass control. Great review as always.
This review kind of stopped me on my tracks. For several months, I've been wondering what's out there, yet I've had the R700 and the RA-1592MKII for the same period. If anything, you've helped validate my journey so far. Thought my gear was meh with all the audiophile snobbery out there. Apparently, I've made some pretty ok choices!
Interesting how NAD, Cambridge and Rotel have upped their game in the high performance sweepstakes in the past 20+ years. Idea, and I shared this with Randy: the three of you should host a Happy Hour together. I was delighted to know you three are friends! 👍
Great video as always! You guys are spot on regarding HDMI connectivity. Should be on every full featured modern integrated amp in the 2020's no question. The majority of listeners these days listen to music in the same room they watch TV. I actually bought a Cambridge Audio Edge A specifically cuz i wanted a high end 2 channel sound combined with HDMI arc connectivity as well. So much more convenient when also watching Apple TV, etc.
As a Rotel fanatic & owner for almost 2 years, loved the review for this Rotel. I do own a A12 & it's a good quality piece for only 60wpc. But long story short i added a RB-1582Mkii power amplifier. Made a big difference for my current Founder 40b's. The extra headroom for power at a lower volume makes a big difference.
I have this amp for one day now. In my somewhat 40 years of active hifi-hobby I've learned not to judge too soon. First impressions usually don't last and being impressed right out of the box is usually a recipe for disappointment later on because unfortunately the aspects that impress often (in my case usually after 2 or 3 weeks) turn into an annoyance... Nevertheless: I've never come across an amp that plays so powerful yet unagressively (is that a word? Sorry, not a native speaker) especially at low volumes. What is more: this amp has transformed my Wharfedale Linton 85 (relatively seriously modified): they sound much tighter and controlled, and I can absolutely follow the review in that the Rotel acts like a magnifying glass. In my case this goes for the midrange. Full, lush and detailed. Only possible quibble: bass is VERY forceful. I will try the Rotel with other speakers in due time. I sincerely hope I won't have to come back on my first impressions this time. Thanks for your review!
Funny I was looking to pick up the first generation of this integrated amp and was on a very very short list. I decided to get a tube integrated amp instead. I primarily am a two channel listener, so a HMDI port was not a necessity for me as long as it had a H/T bypass to connect to my AV receiver. Rotel is famous for their neutral sound ,so whatever it is fed will sound exactly as intended. It’s a Class A/B so it sound good and besides it actually comes in at a good price point given it can drive just about any speaker out there. As always you and Kristi have done a great review.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your great reviews. You have great taste in design and audio. I’m a big Rotel fan, and got my first pre-amp a couple of decades ago. I think Rotel might have some issues with their audio DSP modules associated with their HDMI connections. I had the RSP-1572 and the module stopped working. It was so expensive to fix, the tech told me, it didn’t make sense to do the repair, so I had to recycle a beautiful and otherwise great component. Thankfully, I held on to my old Rotel RSP-1066 (no HDMI, but has Multi Analog inputs) and it is back in my system. It still sounds great. For its age, sometimes I can’t believe how good it sounds. I think Rotel might be playing it safe with the 1592 MKII by leaving out the HDMI electronics out of the pathway, and keeping it simple. I bet your system sounds amazing! Congrats on the new place, it looks great. 👍
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Nice of you to ask. I think the Parasound Hint 6 is good competition here. For an all around swell buy, I'd take the Yamaha RN803 receiver as I still enjoy broadcast radio. That's probably a considerable step down in fidelity though.
I’m in love with mk2 Rotel’s..especially 1592mk2..much better than previous model..that’s for me..I’ve had a Yamaha 1200 with Elac speakers.. and thinking about this Rotel😎
Earlier this year went from $10K worth of separates to a Luxman integrated (590AXII). Features I was looking for: class A, quality built-in phono preamp, tape loop, balanced inputs in addition to RCA, tone and balance controls. System is music-only, no streaming (I'm old-school; recently purchased two Tandberg cassette decks to play an array of tapes that had been languishing for the past 20 years, most of which were irreplaceable). What it replaced was a tube preamp and 175 wpc class AB amp; no looking back for me.
Constructive Feedback: I have watched every one of your videos for the past year or so since I first found your channel when researching soundbars. And for every video, I find myself needing to skip back at the beginning to catch the price of whatever you are reviewing. The beauty shots at the beginning combined with the MSRP in the lower left are competing for my attention. And because I am human, pictures always prevail over text. So my suggestion is to find another way to communicate the price so viewers dont have to subconsciously choose between dedicating their attention to the text at the lower left or the beauty shots. Both are just too equally important to have them on at the same time. A simple solution might be to just mention the retail price verbally off the top. "Retailing for ..., the Rotel...." Hope you find this helpful.
Thank you for this review. I just bought it after watching a lot of videos including yours. This amp is a bargain and a great way for turntable users who wants a exceptional good RIAA for MM, a redicilous good DAC if you also like to stream. This Powerhouse amp has lots of power and dynamic control. All in a integrated amp. I'm using Focal Aria 926 speakers and it's a match made in heaven. Not bright at all. I might not call this a entry level amp based on price. But if you're considering going into HiFi and are looking for a amp and have the money for this. You probably won't ever need to upgrade your amp in the future if you just get this right away. They're also a lot cheaper second hand. It will handle just about any speaker you'll throw on it. 😊 Most starters get bookshelf speakers. But once you get bitten by the bug you'll have floorstanding sometime in the future. Then you don't have to worry if your amp is good enough, like I had to before buying this one. By the way. I actually love the big remote control, it never get lost. 😂😂😂👍👍👍
First I want to thank Kristi on proposing the question of how the Yamaha and Technics SU-G700 might compare. I am currently running a Yamaha S501 on Cornwall IV's and am searching for an integrated upgrade. Meters would be cool, but have been eyeing the Marantz Model 40n. Hoping you get to review the SU-G700 II soon. Thank you both, Andrew and Kristi, for your reviews and perspectives in this space.
This Rotel comes very close to having what I’d use to replace my separates. I think my biggest reluctance is just dated thinking that separates are best. Now, I’m at the age where downsizing makes integrateds much more appealing and with the build and sonic capabilities of the Rotel, it’s tempting.
Hey guys, during the Kristi section, it’d really be helpful if you could flash product photos up on the screen when name-dropping a load of other gear!
If it were $2000 or $2500 even I doubt it would EVER be in stock. But at its asking price I still believe it is a good value though one many would have to budget for.
I'm still listening to B&W 803 D towers powered by Rotel's RB 1090, which initiated the journey of these Rotel amps. Circa 2004, the 1090 is an 85-pound beast that, at the time, was reviewed as spitting out the kinda sound one would expect to only get out of an amp at twice the cost. I'll be upgrading to the Rotel RCD-1572MKII CD transport and top of the line VooDoo power cords before anything else, as the setup I have now will do me proud for another 20 years!
Respectfully, why would the lack of HDMI be a deal breaker? Surely anyone looking at a product at this price level would use a separate AV processor or receiver and use the Rotel’s HT bypass. To use a HDMI connection and then down mix it to stereo doesn’t make much sense to me. Thanks
Hey Andrew just replaced my 1572mk2 with the 1592mk2 and wow, it absolutely dominates my Lore Reference speakers paired with a new Bluesound node. It makes the speaker absolutely open up and plays Tidal cd files almost as good as mqa on the sound. Thx for the review and keep the reviews going. PS the remote on the 1572mk2 was even cheesy 🧀. Now it sparked my interest in a tekton tweeter array set up, Cheers...
There's difference in sound quality between both or only power? I can't find stock where I live on the 1592MK2. Only 1572MK2 and 1592(first version). I'm between those two or a Hegel h120. The 1572MK2 it's the cheaper of all three and I also think the one that it's going to sound better.....but not 100% sure
@@MsBL100 Hey Milton, sorry for the delay, I found the 1592mk2 just had more of a dynamic sound over the 1572mk2 on my speakers. They both sounded great and I really did not notice the power difference since I stream music with Tidal through wifi with a bluesound node. (It buffers the volume to about 3/4) I got a great deal on the 1592mk2 through a step up trade in that's why I upgraded for it. I never heard a Hegal system but I am sure you will like the 1572mk2.
@@thomastrubetskoff5958 Finally I moved with the hegel 120. The integrated streamer with airplay, upnp and roon ready did a difference to me. In sound they both (1572 and hegel) sound amazing. Pretty similar. the MK2 was juuuuust a little more bright and the Hegel had warmer mids and bigger bass. Since I paired with Focal speakers that are bright and with light bass I went with the Hegel. But If I had other speakers the Rotel it's the right decition.
This was a really helpful, insightful and entertaining review. Thank you for putting it together! I also really like your discussion with Christi. It's almost like having a director's cut where you get the behind-the-scenes info that really adds to the content.
I haven't seen a review in English of any of the models from Elysian line, beside Tharbamar's of Elysian 2, which is a banger. Looking forward to seeing the tower one, but the Elysian 1, the bookshelf, is in the achievable territory.
The Rotel 1572 mkii for $1000 less has the same features but just a bit less power... 120wpc @ 8ohms... 200@4... I'm using a raspberry pi feeding the 1572 mkii thru usb to Klipsch Heresy IV's and a svs sb1000pro. Simply amazing system for my tastes.
I had to come back and watch this again . This was such a great review . Very funny . This is where it started and stopped for me. The Rotel is home for me. I’m still adding pieces to my system though . I’m still over the moon with this and all the products you guys have shown me . I’ve had to do know shopping just watching your reviews for my purchases has made life so ez and way less stressful . Thank you Andrew and Kristi again and again and again .
You are absolutely right on that one……!!! I agree 1000%! The sound is sooooo clean detailed airy unbeleivable!! At the same time mascular ! What bass is that ???! Deep very deep and fast. Compared to my Musical fidelity m3si the MF sounds different…….not bad but different. I tested the Rotel with Kefs q350 and q750 and B&W’s 703s2 and old P5s! My only concern is that it sounds exactly the same with the A-14 mkii and when i say exactly i mean…..identical! I have both Rotels for 10 days in my place and i cant tell the difference sonically…….I even blind test them so i am not biased or so….even pushed hard they dont harden…….weird…..both so detailed and a bit of warmth somehow……then again m3si so dynamic live extremely fast clean and warm …….
@@gokhanersan8561 sound signature identical…….and no hardening in high volumes…….maybe with higher level (price wise) and demanding speakers could someone trace the difference in power or justify the price difference…….exceptional good products i’m impressed and wasn’t a Rotel fan
@@gokhanersan8561 my old b&w P5 dip at 3.8 sometimes……quite demanding…..kef are easy to drive and great match i think 8ohms….i also tried Elac Carinas floorstanders which are rated at 4ohms and controlled them easily……Rotel A14 is rated 80w at 8ohms but check Australian ‘What hifi’ review they measured it at 105w at 8ohms
I have this amplifier. Yes it sounds great. It has flaws though. If you run a sub like me and have the sub inaccessible you can never use the headphone out as there is no way to stop the sub from working when the headphones are plugged in. The remote sucks. Signal sense doesn’t work unless you turned the amp off using that source only. No remote volume control from Roon when using the usb b in. It sound fantastic though. One other point if you use the Bluetooth connection and turn the amp off with the remote the unit stays warm until you completely power down. This doesn’t happen if you use another connection.
Please explain why HDMI Arc is important to you for 2 channel audio. I'm trying to understand. I use my 2 channel stereo just for 2 channel listening and I havent seen any cd players or any other audio sources with hdmi arc output. Except of course TVs. I have a separate system for home theater.
I agree. Andrew is obsessed with this feature. Is he really reviewing a 2 channel AVR or 2 channel integrated amp. I am purist and love the top end products that are all analogue input and outputs. No HDMI and no onboard dacs USB and anything digital inside or going outside,
Some people only have enough space or money or both to have 1 pair of good speakers and that will be connected to their TV so that they can use the best speakers they have when they watch TV and movies. With HDMI you can use 1 remote to change channels and control volume.
I believe his mentioning of revolves around being able to plug your tv in so you can have what I would call a better sound bar not surrounded . I use mine for 2 channel listening paired with Polk R700s Eversolo DMPA8 , and a pair of REL Classic 99s . I’m in Nirvana all thanks to Andy and Kristi . I owe my 2 systems to them .
Great review, Andrew. You're right it's all about power. You can put you're iPhone into AUX, and it works fine. The reason all these other features are left out is due to noise. While HDMI is nice, this is for the person who wants great sound out of heavy tower speakers. You can use the optical output for a TV and train the remote to work amp for volume
I love the multiple tiers of consideration you suggest in your evaluations of products. For some people connections- many and diverse, are the way forward & make the sale. For some, Sound quality might be the only consideration. Others are going to be focused on design, and others will look for a combination of all these criteria. This is the buying public, and you do a great job of laying out all the components of the decision making process.
Interesting discussion on the HDMi connectivity on stereo amplifiers for where most are going with audio (visual). Will check out the Marantz mentioned. I settled on the Arcam SR250 which ticked all my stereo needs and has dual stereo subwoofer outs too.. and Dirac. Sadly Arcam discontinued the SR250 a few years ago.
I truly believe that pre amps are the ones that are largely responsible for sound differences, not power amps because they all should basically sound the same if they are done right. Maybe a slightly higher noise floor and power output of course but thats about it audibly. Pre is usually the section where sound is manipulated by the designer for whatever reason, be it embedding the house sound or to the designer's taste. You should review more pre amps Andrew. :)
I'm in! I just recently picked up a parasound a21+ after my twitchy frontal lobe bought it before I could intervene. It's fan-f-ing tastic and now I'm spinning around at preamps. Using a creek evolution integrated as the pre, it seems to be doing fine but I think the amp would/could be better showcased with a purpose-built pre that's up to the task. But what do I know? Lol. I'm just the guy blindly buying stuff and loving every minute of the learning experience. Yay audio addiction!
In the early 90s I wanted a Rotel intergrated but I couldn’t afford it but I will tell you it sounded the best at the time I find them expensive today but they were more expensive in the 90s and now you get a better product for the money by far I would buy one but no processer and HDMI
Thanks for giving us the straight dope on products you review, even if it might hurt the feelings of their manufacturers. Based on your and other recommendations I picked up an A-S801 Yamaha and some Klipsch RP-8000F tower speakers and while they are fairly solid and very enjoyable as a combo the bass isn't as tight and controlled as I would like (Yamaha at only 100x2 watt output on speakers rated 50 watts higher) and the midrange isn't as detailed or sometimes barely there (Klipsch).
After a ton of research and watching your (and others) reviews I pulled the trigger on the 1592 MKII and sent the Yamaha back. I know what clean power can do and I can't wait to get ahold of it! While I like the RP-8000f's I also might upgrade into power hungry Polk r700's to also address the mid range issue. I suspect this will be one solid upgrade as well but I will kind of miss that horn sound. The "live" music sound they reproduce is amazing and unique and one day I will own a set of their Heritage speakers as well! Cheers!
We hope you enjoy your new amplifier. I think it will definitely be a better match for the Klipsch and will pair well with the Polk if you end up going that route. Thank you for supporting the channel. We really appreciate it!
Great video as always guys, I am in full agreement about the HDMI although I used to think it wasn’t a big deal. Now I want to use my AppleTV 4K to stream my Apple Music to my 6000a play but lack of HDMI on the amp and optical out on the Apple TV (unlike the older models that did have optical) That said, man I love the simplicity of Rotel products, that is a beautiful amp, I don’t even hate the display. But the remote…… eek. Have a great Sunday.
Since you need to add a Streamer to this, unless you use your TV, get a Bluesound Node and you get the added bonus of an HDMI ARC input! The perfect pair.
Yes, I too was wondering the same. Andrew previously said he liked the Hint 6 as much as the Yamaha A-S3200, and in this video he said the same thing about the Rotel. Specs are very similar, I would love to hear a comparison.
High damping factor of 600 helps low end clarity. Low amp impedance like this will do well with almost all speakers. 200W provides approx. (min.) 6dB of headroom even in most 'loud' large room listening scenarios. Great for listening and revealing complex transient stuff like classical symphonic ensembles, and acoustic instruments. Great design. I'm thinking this is on a par with the MF M6si. I temporarily pared down from my MF M8xi to the RA-1590. Slightly less rich soundstage, particularly at very high volume.
@@jedknutson8373 Not sure on sound but on construction the Wharfdale are significantly ahead. Depends on how much you're prepared to pay for the cabinet materials etc.
Oh no, I hope everything is okay. We've got some hifi cheer for you this morning. And PS, you weren't the only one in a funk, so here's to a little positivity in everyone's life!
@@maxpower78-15 hey man, I can't get my subs integrated well into my untreated space. Yah man. UN. TREATED. you heard that right. So you can imagine things could get worse. Just think of my crap room every time you feel a little down and you'll maybe crack a little smile out the corner of your mouth and think "that dude can't even fix his room modes. Glad I'm not that guy". Go get yourself a nice meal out to eat and I promise you'll feel right as rain again! Untreated brother. Untreated. Pfft.
Sorry, at roughly 3 minutes in you mentioned class H, I am not the most knowledgeable guy, but i never heard of class H... let me pause here and i'll be back in a few... Cheers
I just got this same exact amp this weekend. It’s been sounding great and I can’t wait to hear it after burn-in. Compared to my previous amp, the Yamaha AS-501, the Rotel 1592 MKII has a slightly warmer tone, not as bright as the Yamaha, bass is much tighter and not as muddy, soundstage is more precise, instruments are clearer where you can pinpoint during playback etc. My gripe with the 1592 MKII so far is that the Bluetooth is just Aptx non-HD and no support for LDAC. Of course wired will always sound better but I like the convenience. I don’t mind the fat remote. The ancient calculator screen doesn’t really better me. Do I need 200 watts 8 ohms? No. The previous Yamaha at 85 watts was plenty. But 200 watts of the 1592 MKII doesn’t cough especially during complicated and dynamic sections in music. So far, I’m loving my new amp. Great review!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thanks! I was thinking for a long time to get the Yamaha AS1200 or 2200. But I ended up getting the 1592 MKII mainly for the power. I run a pair of Dali Oberon 7 and I can say, with this new amp, the performance of the speakers probably may have reached its peak. In other words, I’ll need to save up for more expensive speakers down the line. Regardless, this amp will be a keeper for many years to come.
Andrew and Kristi - Thank you for this review as it ultimately guided me toward purchasing this amp. I had the Emotiva TA-1 for about a year, but was looking for something with more power to pair it up with a recently purchased Denafrips Pontus II DAC. It wasn't an easy decision because $3200 is a lot money as it by far the biggest hi-fi purchase I've ever made. But the power, clarity, and BASS I get in my speakers is fantastic. Though I have an SVS 1000 Pro subwoofer, my Wharfedale EVO 4.2 doesn't really need it with this amp. Compared to my old amp, the LS50 Meta has considerably more bass, but is still detailed with a wide soundstage. The only speaker that hasn't benefitted from it significantly is my Focal Chora 806 (which you also recommended), but it still sounds great. This amp will be a keeper as it will provide plenty of power for an eventual purchase of a tower speaker.
I have the first generation 1592 and Sonus Faber Chameleon T towers and have added an old sealed sub Rel Q200E for the 45hz and below frequencies. And the combo really suits me. 🙂 really detailed and precise bass as far as I can tell. Yes the treble was a tad forward but was sorted with some room acoustics. Yes!! I was totally disappointed by the remote 😏. Who thought that a huge hunk of black plastic was a good idea with an aluminium finish on the amp ? 🙄. I'm not a design and aesthetics expert but really ?? Never saw the display as an issue. Not much to add other than I'm very happy with the set up. Thanks for the review, I whole heartedly agree with your views on this amp 👍thanks guys
I think that ultimately it's sound quality that rings my bell, and so I can forgo some features. I like your review of this Rotel. And, I have to tell you that I think the styling of the Marantz is pretty chintzy looking with that embossed waffle like pattern. For years now, I have been turned off by Marantz's styling. I believe you when you talk about the SQ of the Rotel. They have always punched far above their price point. There are lots of people who specifically look for used Rotel and they think that it's the ultimate bargain. Personally, I like to buy things new not used.
Some reviewers seem to not review or comment on Hegel. Comparisons in the Hegel line vs this amp would be more along the lines of the H190. The H390 may be worth comparing, but I doubt the Rotel would have anywhere near the grip on and command of the speakers or real comparable power...and H590 is in a completely different class.
I can't wait for marantz to send you the model 30. The model 30/40 are so fantastic. Right up there with this rotel. It starts to split hairs and the difference becomes which flavor you prefer.
The remote is a deal-breaker. Wow. Never understand how a brand doesn't understand that EVERYTHING matters. If you're high-end -- every touch point needs to be high-end... even something like the manual needs to represent your brand.
I have been using rotel separates for the last four years. RC 1590 preamp and a RB 1582 amplifier. I'm considering selling both and getting this as a replacement. They put a new Texas Instruments DAC in the MKII and it apparently changes the "house sound" for Rotel. For me, integrated amplifiers have to have a subwoofer out aaannd tone controls!
The lack of an HDMI is not a big deal for me. I run a Rotel 1052 with an NAD DAC II, and B&W 600 series. I'm in the process of going with a new Rotel Integrated (1572 Int) or the separates (1572 Pre, 1552 Pwr). The separate system is in fact two monoblocks in the same chassis. Having run the DAC II through an anaolog amp has been fine but I'm looking forward to the new system. At the end of the day, I will run a Bluesound Node and various streaming platforms, CD or vinyl. This is a two-channel system for me, and I honestly don't see how the HDMI would change much though maybe in this day-and-age, it should simply be there? Thoughts?
Bro you almost at 300k wow !! ok ok i now will go buy new camera thanks ANDREW/CHRISTI. I have a sweet spot for Rotel They Stuck with HDCD for a long time i know decade ago but i love Hdcd and Rotel cd players are solid ! i have no problem leaving seperates !! i
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Andrew i am testing out the Audiolab 8300a Dual Mono integrated amp Wow man ! Jan Erthner nailed it ! For price of course one word Precision
As always Kristi asking the right questions 😄I really hope you can get a Technics G700m2 soon! I am one of those torn between Rotel, Marantz and the new Technics, and would highly appreciate your take on it. In any case, thanks for this amazing review!
The specs reported on this video is wrong. It is not 350 Watts per a channel at 4 ohms. That is only for Max power output! Rotel is not listing the continuous power output for 4 ohms. This is from their product site.
Great fan of Rotel here...some 30 years ago my first gear was Sony TAF-550ES and CD Player which I used for 2 years. After that, it's always been Rotel which I think is great value for money. At the moment, I have Rotel RC/RB-1590 pre/power combo, Rotel CD11 and Dali Epicon 2 standmount speakers. Great sound for my ears...ears which above 15KHz can't hear anything.
Great review.👍 I'm over those big beautiful meters on the 3200. Well..not completely. Lol However, price to performance is the name of the game for me. I really like the "Krellish" looks of the Rotal 1592 mk2! Rotel always had statement pieces dating back to their RA-1412 of the 70's! Like you clearly stated here Andrew, "Power & Control" is what $3200 should be buying. Little bookshelf speakers are cute for small spaces, but for full dynamic "relistic" reproduction, towers have always been the answer. Never thought a sub-woofer unit was the fix for inadequacy? Only an option at best. Basic physics comes into play. To move air you need cone area. To move cones you need power. The seperation of bass unit from mids & highs interrupts the coherency. That all important Time Phasing. Which brings me to those black lacquered Warfedale Elysian 4. They are killer!!
Could you do a review of Denon PMA-1700ne perhaps? I have the pma-1600ne and it’s a beast! I had a Hegel Rost/Röst before and it sounded like shit in comparison (at least with my speakers, Canton Vento)
I auditioned it too and absolutely would have kept it based on build and sound quality but in my application I needed something more family friendly for living room TV/video duty. Those Denons are no nonsense BS, super impressive.
RE: your Hegel question - Hegel has never contacted us for a review. That's why we don't talk about them. We've not experienced their products. No other reason.
Thank you Kristi & Andrew, as usual great review. I have the 1592 MK2 and love it. I interviewed the 1572MK2 first which I liked but felt it was a bit shy and not as revealing in the Mid Range so I opted for its bigger sibling. I made sure I got the version in black, as it looked a bit better to me. Suggestion, if I may, you can keep the Marantz for its convenience and replace the M5SI with the Rotel, if its in your budget. Based on your observation it s probably a better reference amp for speaker reviews. Looking forward to hear your next review.
I have seven various Rotel amps they are really special and pair so well with Bowers and Wilkins. However Rotel remotes are TRAVESTY of anarchistic worst-case scenario. Impossible to use in low light - does not even have lighted keys, all the buttons essentially the same size, not even an ergonomic sense. I would LOVE to hear from someone at Rotel explaining WHY there is almost no evolution in design or capability from the mid 1980's in terms of their remotes. Especially unforgivable as a key control device.
I currently have the Parasound P6 pre matched with their A21 and although I like it very much, If the P6 starts developing the infamous volume malfunction I'll be looking at the RC-1590 MK2 as a replacement. It checked all the boxes in my research.
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Since you're asking. Everytime I look at an integrated amp only-solution what stops me from purchasing one isn't just the lack of HDMI but also that they're only two-channel. I would give anything to finding an integrated amp with not only adequate power and ARC/eARC...but also capable of supporting a 3.0 and 3.1 setup. I know this would be a hybrid solution, but for one of my rooms I want all the conveniences of an AVR but in an integrated amp presentation. Instead of a unit with a zillion speaker channels I'd like my money to go to a unit with three quality "audiophile" level speaker outputs. For certain rooms due to seating positions, a 2.0 integrated amp just doesn't work well for TV viewing and unfortunately the only solution is an AVR or AVR with an external amplifier and both AVR solutions are an overkill in features for most rooms.
@@BryanRuby You just described my dream component right there! I am with you 100%, and maybe, if the stars align with respect to availability, we'll be able to turn you on to a solution soon.
Nothing
Hi Andrew this is Ulf from Sweden writing😎 I have the Marantz sr 7012 i drive the fronts with one xtz edge A300 and i+m very happy! I have Monitor audio Silver 300 6G and the C350 centre channel all in white and i´m very happy with them. Maybe i´ll buy another edge A 300 .☺
When I was shopping for amps for my speakers, and after coming across Michi (Rotel is 🔥😉) I honestly couldn't find ANYTHING to convince me to go seperates. The thing Iiked particularly, after struggling already to pair my speakers, was not having to worry about another potential poor pairing. I have always had the opinion that the less connections and cables in your system, the better. For both quality & cleanliness.
Had mine for 2 weeks now. I'm very happy. I'm hearing things I never heard before on just about everything I play.
Great buy. Rotel remains best bang for the buck.
I have heard this Integrated while directly comparing to a dozen others. I would agree it's fantastic. It was not "better" than a McIntosh that cost over $5k but it was better than other units that cost more.
I also found the best Synergy (tried a dozen different brands with it) was when I auditioned this amp with a pair of kef Q950
You will be hard pressed to beat this combo for even double the cost!
I agree with Christi, again, the displays for home audio should be at least as good as car audio!
Still, better than Emotiva's blue LED's
Been thinking this for years. Spot on! Should also have the flexibility to make color selection as part of the UI.
That would require a high end phone or laptop/desktop class processor, ram, and storage which would likely add noise and definitely add a significant amount of cost
Although it should be better than this if it has one at all
Plenty of car audio has the basic features we are discussing, and sell for $80-$100 for in-dash receivers.
High end needs to catch up with this basic functionality.
If a receiver has a display, the noise is already an issue (in theory), but I’ve never heard anyone complain about noise from a display for stereo or surround pre/pros.
I 100% agree with the HDMI arc connectivity feature. It makes life so much easier in that you do not need to manually switch inputs, use multiple remotes or manually turn on components. Additionally, it helps with cable management as well. It is the reason I use a receiver over an integrated.
Thanks for keeping up with this channel! Owning my 1592MK2 for almost 2 months now and loving it with my 703 s3
Thank you so much for the kinds words and support. Ranjith! I'm happy to hear you are enjoying your Rotel. We hope to see you on the next video!
Question Can you select speaker set A & B to run both sets together, will this amplifier let you do that.
Yes that is possible but keep in mind that if you want to run A and B simultaneously your speakers need to have an impedance of 8 ohms or more
I've recently bought a Rotel RCD 1572mk2 cd player to replace my faulty Musical Fidelity M3scd player.
I'm so impressed with it that I've been contemplating getting the 1592 to replace my M5si amp.
After seeing your review I'm pulling the trigger!
I think it'll be a good pairing for my Dynaudio Evoke 20s too. Hopefully they'll benefit from the extra bass control.
Great review as always.
The 1592 made it on my short list for my last upgrade. It looks great (display aside) and I've always been impressed with the "Rotel" sound.
This review kind of stopped me on my tracks. For several months, I've been wondering what's out there, yet I've had the R700 and the RA-1592MKII for the same period. If anything, you've helped validate my journey so far.
Thought my gear was meh with all the audiophile snobbery out there. Apparently, I've made some pretty ok choices!
You made great choices!
The only ones who care what audiophile snobs think… are other audiophile snobs 😝
Interesting how NAD, Cambridge and Rotel have upped their game in the high performance sweepstakes in the past 20+ years.
Idea, and I shared this with Randy: the three of you should host a Happy Hour together. I was delighted to know you three are friends! 👍
Good idea.
Yeah, they are hands down my favorite channels on UA-cam. The honesty level from both channels is so refreshing.
Randy and I have discussed it and I did a surprise appearance on his patreon a few months ago, but we'll do it, for sure!
Great video as always! You guys are spot on regarding HDMI connectivity. Should be on every full featured modern integrated amp in the 2020's no question. The majority of listeners these days listen to music in the same room they watch TV. I actually bought a Cambridge Audio Edge A specifically cuz i wanted a high end 2 channel sound combined with HDMI arc connectivity as well. So much more convenient when also watching Apple TV, etc.
Another favorite. Right on the money. Rotel is always up for the challenge. Great episode.
Yes! Thank you!
As a Rotel fanatic & owner for almost 2 years, loved the review for this Rotel. I do own a A12 & it's a good quality piece for only 60wpc. But long story short i added a RB-1582Mkii power amplifier. Made a big difference for my current Founder 40b's. The extra headroom for power at a lower volume makes a big difference.
I'm thinking of doing the same for my a11 tribute. Do you think it would be a good idea?
I have this amp for one day now. In my somewhat 40 years of active hifi-hobby I've learned not to judge too soon. First impressions usually don't last and being impressed right out of the box is usually a recipe for disappointment later on because unfortunately the aspects that impress often (in my case usually after 2 or 3 weeks) turn into an annoyance...
Nevertheless: I've never come across an amp that plays so powerful yet unagressively (is that a word? Sorry, not a native speaker) especially at low volumes. What is more: this amp has transformed my Wharfedale Linton 85 (relatively seriously modified): they sound much tighter and controlled, and I can absolutely follow the review in that the Rotel acts like a magnifying glass. In my case this goes for the midrange. Full, lush and detailed.
Only possible quibble: bass is VERY forceful.
I will try the Rotel with other speakers in due time.
I sincerely hope I won't have to come back on my first impressions this time.
Thanks for your review!
Funny I was looking to pick up the first generation of this integrated amp and was on a very very short list. I decided to get a tube integrated amp instead. I primarily am a two channel listener, so a HMDI port was not a necessity for me as long as it had a H/T bypass to connect to my AV receiver. Rotel is famous for their neutral sound ,so whatever it is fed will sound exactly as intended. It’s a Class A/B so it sound good and besides it actually comes in at a good price point given it can drive just about any speaker out there. As always you and Kristi have done a great review.
Thanks for watching! Always good to see you in the comments, Brian.
A Rotel integrated was my first true hifi experience on some focal bookshelf speakers at Sound Advice way back in the early 2000's.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your great reviews. You have great taste in design and audio. I’m a big Rotel fan, and got my first pre-amp a couple of decades ago. I think Rotel might have some issues with their audio DSP modules associated with their HDMI connections. I had the RSP-1572 and the module stopped working. It was so expensive to fix, the tech told me, it didn’t make sense to do the repair, so I had to recycle a beautiful and otherwise great component. Thankfully, I held on to my old Rotel RSP-1066 (no HDMI, but has Multi Analog inputs) and it is back in my system. It still sounds great. For its age, sometimes I can’t believe how good it sounds. I think Rotel might be playing it safe with the 1592 MKII by leaving out the HDMI electronics out of the pathway, and keeping it simple. I bet your system sounds amazing! Congrats on the new place, it looks great. 👍
Great video! Have had the first gen 1592 for over a year now and absolutely love it. Best amplifier I’ve had to date.
Good morning! Thanks for sharing that! What speakers are you pairing with it? (Just curious)
@@KristiWright Good morning ma’am! Originally I had B&W 603S2, now I’m in love with my Martin Logan Motion 60XTi
@@gavriushka One of these days we are likely just going to have to buy ML speakers. Glad you are enjoying your system!
@@KristiWright highly recommend trying out the 60XTi. They’re great for the money and punch above their league.
Really looking forward to that Elysian review you keep teasing
It's going to be epic (and hopefully educational).
I agree with Kristi, add a pair of nice sized meters and HDMI connectivity and Im more likely to buy one. Great review as always!
One of my favorite components. Way out of my league when it comes to pricing, but gorgeous and well built. Can't believe it lacks a recording loop.
What would you get instead? Thanks for tuning in!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Nice of you to ask. I think the Parasound Hint 6 is good competition here. For an all around swell buy, I'd take the Yamaha RN803 receiver as I still enjoy broadcast radio. That's probably a considerable step down in fidelity though.
I’m in love with mk2 Rotel’s..especially 1592mk2..much better than previous model..that’s for me..I’ve had a Yamaha 1200 with Elac speakers.. and thinking about this Rotel😎
Wharfedale Elysians!!! Can’t wait for that review!!
Earlier this year went from $10K worth of separates to a Luxman integrated (590AXII). Features I was looking for: class A, quality built-in phono preamp, tape loop, balanced inputs in addition to RCA, tone and balance controls. System is music-only, no streaming (I'm old-school; recently purchased two Tandberg cassette decks to play an array of tapes that had been languishing for the past 20 years, most of which were irreplaceable). What it replaced was a tube preamp and 175 wpc class AB amp; no looking back for me.
Constructive Feedback: I have watched every one of your videos for the past year or so since I first found your channel when researching soundbars. And for every video, I find myself needing to skip back at the beginning to catch the price of whatever you are reviewing. The beauty shots at the beginning combined with the MSRP in the lower left are competing for my attention. And because I am human, pictures always prevail over text. So my suggestion is to find another way to communicate the price so viewers dont have to subconsciously choose between dedicating their attention to the text at the lower left or the beauty shots. Both are just too equally important to have them on at the same time. A simple solution might be to just mention the retail price verbally off the top. "Retailing for ..., the Rotel...." Hope you find this helpful.
Thank you for this review. I just bought it after watching a lot of videos including yours. This amp is a bargain and a great way for turntable users who wants a exceptional good RIAA for MM, a redicilous good DAC if you also like to stream. This Powerhouse amp has lots of power and dynamic control. All in a integrated amp.
I'm using Focal Aria 926 speakers and it's a match made in heaven. Not bright at all.
I might not call this a entry level amp based on price. But if you're considering going into HiFi and are looking for a amp and have the money for this. You probably won't ever need to upgrade your amp in the future if you just get this right away. They're also a lot cheaper second hand.
It will handle just about any speaker you'll throw on it. 😊
Most starters get bookshelf speakers. But once you get bitten by the bug you'll have floorstanding sometime in the future. Then you don't have to worry if your amp is good enough, like I had to before buying this one.
By the way. I actually love the big remote control, it never get lost. 😂😂😂👍👍👍
First I want to thank Kristi on proposing the question of how the Yamaha and Technics SU-G700 might compare. I am currently running a Yamaha S501 on Cornwall IV's and am searching for an integrated upgrade. Meters would be cool, but have been eyeing the Marantz Model 40n.
Hoping you get to review the SU-G700 II soon. Thank you both, Andrew and Kristi, for your reviews and perspectives in this space.
Thanks for watching, Robert! I hope so too.
This Rotel comes very close to having what I’d use to replace my separates. I think my biggest reluctance is just dated thinking that separates are best. Now, I’m at the age where downsizing makes integrateds much more appealing and with the build and sonic capabilities of the Rotel, it’s tempting.
Lol… and the look of the Rotel is something I love … why I have owned many of their products 🤠 and I do not need HDMI, bluetooth and wifi 😱
Hey guys, during the Kristi section, it’d really be helpful if you could flash product photos up on the screen when name-dropping a load of other gear!
In the meantime, everything is noted and linked for you in the description.
Sound for Pound you’ll always struggle to beat Rotel, currently use a Rotel power amp hooked up-to my B&W 704s.
So clear and clean yet powerful,
If only was little less expensive but for those who can afford it great piece of equipment to head up any system again much thx Andrew Kristi...
If it were $2000 or $2500 even I doubt it would EVER be in stock. But at its asking price I still believe it is a good value though one many would have to budget for.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews agreed 👍.
I'm still listening to B&W 803 D towers powered by Rotel's RB 1090, which initiated the journey of these Rotel amps. Circa 2004, the 1090 is an 85-pound beast that, at the time, was reviewed as spitting out the kinda sound one would expect to only get out of an amp at twice the cost. I'll be upgrading to the Rotel RCD-1572MKII CD transport and top of the line VooDoo power cords before anything else, as the setup I have now will do me proud for another 20 years!
Guys .. Michi is gonna blow your mind!
Everything in the Michi lineup is built like a tank!
$$$
The Rotel 1592 MKII with my Focal Kanta 2"s has an amazing sound stage!
Respectfully, why would the lack of HDMI be a deal breaker? Surely anyone looking at a product at this price level would use a separate AV processor or receiver and use the Rotel’s HT bypass. To use a HDMI connection and then down mix it to stereo doesn’t make much sense to me. Thanks
Rotel Always kills as an Integrated AMP . I left mine with my folks when I moved out…. Looking for a replacement now . Excellent kit .
Hey Andrew just replaced my 1572mk2 with the 1592mk2 and wow, it absolutely dominates my Lore Reference speakers paired with a new Bluesound node. It makes the speaker absolutely open up and plays Tidal cd files almost as good as mqa on the sound. Thx for the review and keep the reviews going. PS the remote on the 1572mk2 was even cheesy 🧀. Now it sparked my interest in a tekton tweeter array set up, Cheers...
There's difference in sound quality between both or only power? I can't find stock where I live on the 1592MK2. Only 1572MK2 and 1592(first version). I'm between those two or a Hegel h120. The 1572MK2 it's the cheaper of all three and I also think the one that it's going to sound better.....but not 100% sure
@@MsBL100 Hey Milton, sorry for the delay, I found the 1592mk2 just had more of a dynamic sound over the 1572mk2 on my speakers. They both sounded great and I really did not notice the power difference since I stream music with Tidal through wifi with a bluesound node. (It buffers the volume to about 3/4) I got a great deal on the 1592mk2 through a step up trade in that's why I upgraded for it. I never heard a Hegal system but I am sure you will like the 1572mk2.
@@thomastrubetskoff5958 Finally I moved with the hegel 120. The integrated streamer with airplay, upnp and roon ready did a difference to me. In sound they both (1572 and hegel) sound amazing. Pretty similar. the MK2 was juuuuust a little more bright and the Hegel had warmer mids and bigger bass. Since I paired with Focal speakers that are bright and with light bass I went with the Hegel. But If I had other speakers the Rotel it's the right decition.
@@MsBL100 The 1592mkII is more better on low midlle,bass and have more details on low volume!
This was a really helpful, insightful and entertaining review. Thank you for putting it together! I also really like your discussion with Christi. It's almost like having a director's cut where you get the behind-the-scenes info that really adds to the content.
I see Elysian speakers.... been waiting for those for awhile 😌 I'm excited
It's going to be a fun review!
I haven't seen a review in English of any of the models from Elysian line, beside Tharbamar's of Elysian 2, which is a banger. Looking forward to seeing the tower one, but the Elysian 1, the bookshelf, is in the achievable territory.
I’ve got the Rotel 1582 MK2 power amp and love it.
The Rotel 1572 mkii for $1000 less has the same features but just a bit less power... 120wpc @ 8ohms... 200@4...
I'm using a raspberry pi feeding the 1572 mkii thru usb to Klipsch Heresy IV's and a svs sb1000pro. Simply amazing system for my tastes.
You’ve got plenty of power for those Heresy’s, especially with the sub.
I love my 1572 mkII. It’s quite a beast at that rating.
Oh, and it comes with a better looking remote, too!
Don’t plug your headphones in unless you can get to the back of your sub to turn it off. No other way to stop it pumping away.
@@AaronMcGrouther svs app controls everything bass related from my phone or tablet
I had to come back and watch this again . This was such a great review . Very funny . This is where it started and stopped for me. The Rotel is home for me. I’m still adding pieces to my system though . I’m still over the moon with this and all the products you guys have shown me . I’ve had to do know shopping just watching your reviews for my purchases has made life so ez and way less stressful . Thank you Andrew and Kristi again and again and again .
You are absolutely right on that one……!!! I agree 1000%! The sound is sooooo clean detailed airy unbeleivable!! At the same time mascular ! What bass is that ???! Deep very deep and fast. Compared to my Musical fidelity m3si the MF sounds different…….not bad but different.
I tested the Rotel with Kefs q350 and q750 and B&W’s 703s2 and old P5s!
My only concern is that it sounds exactly the same with the A-14 mkii and when i say exactly i mean…..identical! I have both Rotels for 10 days in my place and i cant tell the difference sonically…….I even blind test them so i am not biased or so….even pushed hard they dont harden…….weird…..both so detailed and a bit of warmth somehow……then again m3si so dynamic live extremely fast clean and warm …….
A14 is much cheaper, isn’t it, but identical sounding??
@@gokhanersan8561 sound signature identical…….and no hardening in high volumes…….maybe with higher level (price wise) and demanding speakers could someone trace the difference in power or justify the price difference…….exceptional good products i’m impressed and wasn’t a Rotel fan
@@acmuscravageur3627 What are your speakers? Are they 6 ohm or 4 ohm rated?
@@gokhanersan8561 my old b&w P5 dip at 3.8 sometimes……quite demanding…..kef are easy to drive and great match i think 8ohms….i also tried Elac Carinas floorstanders which are rated at 4ohms and controlled them easily……Rotel A14 is rated 80w at 8ohms but check Australian ‘What hifi’ review they measured it at 105w at 8ohms
@@acmuscravageur3627 I have a11, impressed but want a bigger sound. I think I will go bigger with the amp, before I upscale from my Emit10 speakers.
I have this amplifier. Yes it sounds great. It has flaws though. If you run a sub like me and have the sub inaccessible you can never use the headphone out as there is no way to stop the sub from working when the headphones are plugged in. The remote sucks. Signal sense doesn’t work unless you turned the amp off using that source only. No remote volume control from Roon when using the usb b in. It sound fantastic though. One other point if you use the Bluetooth connection and turn the amp off with the remote the unit stays warm until you completely power down. This doesn’t happen if you use another connection.
Please explain why HDMI Arc is important to you for 2 channel audio. I'm trying to understand. I use my 2 channel stereo just for 2 channel listening and I havent seen any cd players or any other audio sources with hdmi arc output. Except of course TVs. I have a separate system for home theater.
I agree. Andrew is obsessed with this feature. Is he really reviewing a 2 channel AVR or 2 channel integrated amp.
I am purist and love the top end products that are all analogue input and outputs. No HDMI and no onboard dacs USB and anything digital inside or going outside,
Some people only have enough space or money or both to have 1 pair of good speakers and that will be connected to their TV so that they can use the best speakers they have when they watch TV and movies. With HDMI you can use 1 remote to change channels and control volume.
I believe his mentioning of revolves around being able to plug your tv in so you can have what I would call a better sound bar not surrounded . I use mine for 2 channel listening paired with Polk R700s Eversolo DMPA8 , and a pair of REL Classic 99s . I’m in Nirvana all thanks to Andy and Kristi . I owe my 2 systems to them .
Great review, Andrew. You're right it's all about power. You can put you're iPhone into AUX, and it works fine. The reason all these other features are left out is due to noise. While HDMI is nice, this is for the person who wants great sound out of heavy tower speakers. You can use the optical output for a TV and train the remote to work amp for volume
Any chance you could review the Michi amps..
Now we talking! Rotel Michi is something else! 💯
I love the multiple tiers of consideration you suggest in your evaluations of products. For some people connections- many and diverse, are the way forward & make the sale. For some, Sound quality might be the only consideration. Others are going to be focused on design, and others will look for a combination of all these criteria. This is the buying public, and you do a great job of laying out all the components of the decision making process.
Would love to see Technics send you a Technics SU -G 700M2 for a comparison review with the original SU-G700.
Interesting discussion on the HDMi connectivity on stereo amplifiers for where most are going with audio (visual). Will check out the Marantz mentioned.
I settled on the Arcam SR250 which ticked all my stereo needs and has dual stereo subwoofer outs too.. and Dirac.
Sadly Arcam discontinued the SR250 a few years ago.
I truly believe that pre amps are the ones that are largely responsible for sound differences, not power amps because they all should basically sound the same if they are done right. Maybe a slightly higher noise floor and power output of course but thats about it audibly. Pre is usually the section where sound is manipulated by the designer for whatever reason, be it embedding the house sound or to the designer's taste. You should review more pre amps Andrew. :)
Maybe after this experience I will. Thanks for watching!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Right on!
I'm in! I just recently picked up a parasound a21+ after my twitchy frontal lobe bought it before I could intervene. It's fan-f-ing tastic and now I'm spinning around at preamps. Using a creek evolution integrated as the pre, it seems to be doing fine but I think the amp would/could be better showcased with a purpose-built pre that's up to the task. But what do I know? Lol. I'm just the guy blindly buying stuff and loving every minute of the learning experience. Yay audio addiction!
@@erics.4113 honestly, power aside, the pre is going to make the biggest difference. Thats where all the sound manipulation/dsp/audio fuckery happens.
I can attest to that! 😉
In the early 90s I wanted a Rotel intergrated but I couldn’t afford it but I will tell you it sounded the best at the time I find them expensive today but they were more expensive in the 90s and now you get a better product for the money by far I would buy one but no processer and HDMI
Looking forward to your Elysian 4 Review :) They look gorgeous
Coming soon!
Came back to this after your comments on a good pairing for the Cornwall IVs. I'm sold. Thanks guys.
Thanks for giving us the straight dope on products you review, even if it might hurt the feelings of their manufacturers.
Based on your and other recommendations I picked up an A-S801 Yamaha and some Klipsch RP-8000F tower speakers and while they are fairly solid and very enjoyable as a combo the bass isn't as tight and controlled as I would like (Yamaha at only 100x2 watt output on speakers rated 50 watts higher) and the midrange isn't as detailed or sometimes barely there (Klipsch).
After a ton of research and watching your (and others) reviews I pulled the trigger on the 1592 MKII and sent the Yamaha back. I know what clean power can do and I can't wait to get ahold of it! While I like the RP-8000f's I also might upgrade into power hungry Polk r700's to also address the mid range issue. I suspect this will be one solid upgrade as well but I will kind of miss that horn sound. The "live" music sound they reproduce is amazing and unique and one day I will own a set of their Heritage speakers as well! Cheers!
We hope you enjoy your new amplifier. I think it will definitely be a better match for the Klipsch and will pair well with the Polk if you end up going that route. Thank you for supporting the channel. We really appreciate it!
Great video as always guys, I am in full agreement about the HDMI although I used to think it wasn’t a big deal. Now I want to use my AppleTV 4K to stream my Apple Music to my 6000a play but lack of HDMI on the amp and optical out on the Apple TV (unlike the older models that did have optical) That said, man I love the simplicity of Rotel products, that is a beautiful amp, I don’t even hate the display. But the remote…… eek.
Have a great Sunday.
Arcam SA30 and Denon PMA110 are left to get covered.
definitely looking forward to a higher end denon. Or the new 1700ne
for me the best part of your channel are the integrated amp reviews. you two did such a nice job of this, that I can't wait for the next one.
Much appreciated!
Class A is overrated. People that claim that Class A amps sound better are full of it. Rotel has always kept up with the big boys.
Since you need to add a Streamer to this, unless you use your TV, get a Bluesound Node and you get the added bonus of an HDMI ARC input! The perfect pair.
Yep. That was the workaround I used here.
How would you compare the Parasound Hint 6 to the Rotel 1592 MK2? Same price point too.
Yes, I too was wondering the same. Andrew previously said he liked the Hint 6 as much as the Yamaha A-S3200, and in this video he said the same thing about the Rotel. Specs are very similar, I would love to hear a comparison.
I was thinking of asking the same question today. I knew I'd find it if i scrolled.
Hope he answers.
Add me to the list wanting a comparison between 1592 and Hint 6. I suspect he will like the 1592 better.
High damping factor of 600 helps low end clarity. Low amp impedance like this will do well with almost all speakers. 200W provides approx. (min.) 6dB of headroom even in most 'loud' large room listening scenarios. Great for listening and revealing complex transient stuff like classical symphonic ensembles, and acoustic instruments. Great design. I'm thinking this is on a par with the MF M6si. I temporarily pared down from my MF M8xi to the RA-1590. Slightly less rich soundstage, particularly at very high volume.
Looking forward to the Elysian review ;) Those are speakers I've had my eye on for a while now but reviews are very thin on the ground.
Ditto
so my q's to Andrew is the 10k elysian compared to the "when on sale under 2k" polk r700's..just how close are they?????
@@jedknutson8373 Not sure on sound but on construction the Wharfdale are significantly ahead. Depends on how much you're prepared to pay for the cabinet materials etc.
@@jedknutson8373 We will tell and show you.
Right on. Ive been in a downright rotten mood the last couple days for no good reason. I needed this. Cheers. Happy sunday all.
Oh no, I hope everything is okay. We've got some hifi cheer for you this morning. And PS, you weren't the only one in a funk, so here's to a little positivity in everyone's life!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews thanks bud! 1st world problems. Life goes on. Great content as always!
Today is a new day! (at least that's something Andrew likes to remind me whenever I am feeling down) Hoping this gets you off to a great week to come.
@@KristiWright indeed! Its an overused term at times, but the word community comes to mind. Much appreciated!
@@maxpower78-15 hey man, I can't get my subs integrated well into my untreated space. Yah man. UN. TREATED. you heard that right. So you can imagine things could get worse. Just think of my crap room every time you feel a little down and you'll maybe crack a little smile out the corner of your mouth and think "that dude can't even fix his room modes. Glad I'm not that guy".
Go get yourself a nice meal out to eat and I promise you'll feel right as rain again!
Untreated brother. Untreated. Pfft.
Sorry, at roughly 3 minutes in you mentioned class H, I am not the most knowledgeable guy, but i never heard of class H... let me pause here and i'll be back in a few... Cheers
Yeah I agreed, this amp is so good and love the design. If I haven't gotten the Musical Fidelity M6si, I would go for this amp for sure.
I haven't heard the M6si so I thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Amazing review!!
Thank you so much, NYC Person! We appreciate you watching.
I just got this same exact amp this weekend. It’s been sounding great and I can’t wait to hear it after burn-in. Compared to my previous amp, the Yamaha AS-501, the Rotel 1592 MKII has a slightly warmer tone, not as bright as the Yamaha, bass is much tighter and not as muddy, soundstage is more precise, instruments are clearer where you can pinpoint during playback etc. My gripe with the 1592 MKII so far is that the Bluetooth is just Aptx non-HD and no support for LDAC. Of course wired will always sound better but I like the convenience. I don’t mind the fat remote. The ancient calculator screen doesn’t really better me. Do I need 200 watts 8 ohms? No. The previous Yamaha at 85 watts was plenty. But 200 watts of the 1592 MKII doesn’t cough especially during complicated and dynamic sections in music. So far, I’m loving my new amp. Great review!
Thanks Meng! You bought a great amp.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Thanks! I was thinking for a long time to get the Yamaha AS1200 or 2200. But I ended up getting the 1592 MKII mainly for the power. I run a pair of Dali Oberon 7 and I can say, with this new amp, the performance of the speakers probably may have reached its peak. In other words, I’ll need to save up for more expensive speakers down the line. Regardless, this amp will be a keeper for many years to come.
Andrew do you still own the Musical Fidelity M5Si?
Andrew and Kristi - Thank you for this review as it ultimately guided me toward purchasing this amp. I had the Emotiva TA-1 for about a year, but was looking for something with more power to pair it up with a recently purchased Denafrips Pontus II DAC. It wasn't an easy decision because $3200 is a lot money as it by far the biggest hi-fi purchase I've ever made. But the power, clarity, and BASS I get in my speakers is fantastic. Though I have an SVS 1000 Pro subwoofer, my Wharfedale EVO 4.2 doesn't really need it with this amp. Compared to my old amp, the LS50 Meta has considerably more bass, but is still detailed with a wide soundstage. The only speaker that hasn't benefitted from it significantly is my Focal Chora 806 (which you also recommended), but it still sounds great. This amp will be a keeper as it will provide plenty of power for an eventual purchase of a tower speaker.
Rotel separates in this class is simply better
I have the first generation 1592 and Sonus Faber Chameleon T towers and have added an old sealed sub Rel Q200E for the 45hz and below frequencies. And the combo really suits me. 🙂 really detailed and precise bass as far as I can tell.
Yes the treble was a tad forward but was sorted with some room acoustics.
Yes!! I was totally disappointed by the remote 😏. Who thought that a huge hunk of black plastic was a good idea with an aluminium finish on the amp ? 🙄. I'm not a design and aesthetics expert but really ??
Never saw the display as an issue.
Not much to add other than I'm very happy with the set up.
Thanks for the review, I whole heartedly agree with your views on this amp 👍thanks guys
Thanks! Yes, HDMI is a deal break for me also.
Oh man those wharfdale's look sooo good in piano black. My god.
yeah!
rotel put the money inside the box . Minimalist and functional
I think that ultimately it's sound quality that rings my bell, and so I can forgo some features. I like your review of this Rotel. And, I have to tell you that I think the styling of the Marantz is pretty chintzy looking with that embossed waffle like pattern. For years now, I have been turned off by Marantz's styling. I believe you when you talk about the SQ of the Rotel. They have always punched far above their price point. There are lots of people who specifically look for used Rotel and they think that it's the ultimate bargain. Personally, I like to buy things new not used.
New (electronics) not used for me either!🙋🏾
Hey Andrew, have you looked at Hegel integrated amps? How would this compare with a Hegel H190, H390 or even the H590?
Some reviewers seem to not review or comment on Hegel. Comparisons in the Hegel line vs this amp would be more along the lines of the H190. The H390 may be worth comparing, but I doubt the Rotel would have anywhere near the grip on and command of the speakers or real comparable power...and H590 is in a completely different class.
Not comparable
Those Hegels are really good
I can't wait for marantz to send you the model 30. The model 30/40 are so fantastic. Right up there with this rotel. It starts to split hairs and the difference becomes which flavor you prefer.
The remote is a deal-breaker. Wow. Never understand how a brand doesn't understand that EVERYTHING matters. If you're high-end -- every touch point needs to be high-end... even something like the manual needs to represent your brand.
I have been using rotel separates for the last four years. RC 1590 preamp and a RB 1582 amplifier. I'm considering selling both and getting this as a replacement. They put a new Texas Instruments DAC in the MKII and it apparently changes the "house sound" for Rotel. For me, integrated amplifiers have to have a subwoofer out aaannd tone controls!
I wish more products had hdmi i guess im gonna prolly stay seperates with a bypass any way
I do agree
The lack of an HDMI is not a big deal for me. I run a Rotel 1052 with an NAD DAC II, and B&W 600 series. I'm in the process of going with a new Rotel Integrated (1572 Int) or the separates (1572 Pre, 1552 Pwr). The separate system is in fact two monoblocks in the same chassis.
Having run the DAC II through an anaolog amp has been fine but I'm looking forward to the new system. At the end of the day, I will run a Bluesound Node and various streaming platforms, CD or vinyl. This is a two-channel system for me, and I honestly don't see how the HDMI would change much though maybe in this day-and-age, it should simply be there?
Thoughts?
Bro you almost at 300k wow !!
ok ok i now will go buy new camera
thanks ANDREW/CHRISTI.
I have a sweet spot for Rotel They Stuck with HDCD for a long time i know decade ago but i love Hdcd and Rotel cd players are solid !
i have no problem leaving seperates !!
i
Getting close! Appreciate you watching, Tee-Jay.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Andrew
i am testing out the Audiolab 8300a Dual Mono integrated amp Wow man !
Jan Erthner nailed it ! For price of course
one word Precision
As always Kristi asking the right questions 😄I really hope you can get a Technics G700m2 soon! I am one of those torn between Rotel, Marantz and the new Technics, and would highly appreciate your take on it. In any case, thanks for this amazing review!
The specs reported on this video is wrong. It is not 350 Watts per a channel at 4 ohms. That is only for Max power output! Rotel is not listing the continuous power output for 4 ohms. This is from their product site.
255W,430W in 8,4 ohms,and dynamics 1080W,1755W in 2,1 ohms.
Great fan of Rotel here...some 30 years ago my first gear was Sony TAF-550ES and CD Player which I used for 2 years. After that, it's always been Rotel which I think is great value for money.
At the moment, I have Rotel RC/RB-1590 pre/power combo, Rotel CD11 and Dali Epicon 2 standmount speakers.
Great sound for my ears...ears which above 15KHz can't hear anything.
Thanks!
Thank you so much, Ray!!! We really appreciate the love.
You rock, Ray!
Great review.👍 I'm over those big beautiful meters on the 3200. Well..not completely. Lol
However, price to performance is the name of the game for me.
I really like the "Krellish" looks of the Rotal 1592 mk2! Rotel always had statement pieces dating back to their RA-1412 of the 70's!
Like you clearly stated here Andrew, "Power & Control" is what $3200 should be buying.
Little bookshelf speakers are cute for small spaces, but for full dynamic "relistic" reproduction, towers have always been the answer. Never thought a sub-woofer unit was the fix for inadequacy? Only an option at best. Basic physics comes into play. To move air you need cone area. To move cones you need power. The seperation of bass unit from mids & highs interrupts the coherency. That all important Time Phasing.
Which brings me to those black lacquered Warfedale Elysian 4. They are killer!!
Could you do a review of Denon PMA-1700ne perhaps? I have the pma-1600ne and it’s a beast! I had a Hegel Rost/Röst before and it sounded like shit in comparison (at least with my speakers, Canton Vento)
I auditioned it too and absolutely would have kept it based on build and sound quality but in my application I needed something more family friendly for living room TV/video duty. Those Denons are no nonsense BS, super impressive.
Yes please ! Denon review 🙏
Using the rotel to drive 803 d3 and packs a proper punch. Great clarity tight bass. It’s a great amp
Another great video 👏🏼
Glad you enjoyed!
RE: your Hegel question - Hegel has never contacted us for a review. That's why we don't talk about them. We've not experienced their products. No other reason.
Yesterday I was telling myself I did not need a Emotiva power amp for my 6000a play. Then I watched this video
Hello from Hong Kong ～～
Hello!
Thank you Kristi & Andrew, as usual great review. I have the 1592 MK2 and love it. I interviewed the 1572MK2 first which I liked but felt it was a bit shy and not as revealing in the Mid Range so I opted for its bigger sibling. I made sure I got the version in black, as it looked a bit better to me. Suggestion, if I may, you can keep the Marantz for its convenience and replace the M5SI with the Rotel, if its in your budget. Based on your observation it s probably a better reference amp for speaker reviews. Looking forward to hear your next review.
i would rather go with the michi x3. also rotel but much more up to date
Better looking too.
Also quite a bit more expensive.
Great review, and great general discussion about this Rotel. Your both opinions are always more than welcome to me, thanks for the video.
I have seven various Rotel amps they are really special and pair so well with Bowers and Wilkins. However Rotel remotes are TRAVESTY of anarchistic worst-case scenario. Impossible to use in low light - does not even have lighted keys, all the buttons essentially the same size, not even an ergonomic sense. I would LOVE to hear from someone at Rotel explaining WHY there is almost no evolution in design or capability from the mid 1980's in terms of their remotes. Especially unforgivable as a key control device.
Great review as always! I have the mark 1 1592 and think it’s a great piece. I’m sure the mk2 is even better.
I currently have the Parasound P6 pre matched with their A21 and although I like it very much, If the P6 starts developing the infamous volume malfunction I'll be looking at the RC-1590 MK2 as a replacement. It checked all the boxes in my research.