Future-Fi Now! ROTEL MKII 'super-integrateds'
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- This video is brought to you by AudioQuest: www.audioquest.com/dacs/drago...
Camera: Olaf von Voss | Editor: John Darko | Motion GFX: John Darko | Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 Intro's intro
0:17 Intro
2:25 A14
3:03 RA1572
3:25 RA1592
3:42 MKII?
Rotel:
www.rotel.com/
Rotel Electronics - a Zhuhai factory tour (2015):
darko.audio/2015/03/rotel-ele...
Can I stream audio to my Rotel preamp using the Network connection?
rotel.com/faq/can-i-stream-au...
JBL’s 4309 are smaller pieces of retro audio furniture:
darko.audio/2021/04/jbls-4309...
Zu Audio introduces the Soul 6 loudspeaker:
darko.audio/2021/04/zu-audio-...
What is 'Roon Ready' and how does it differ from 'Roon Tested'?
/ 10-minutes-with-roon-c...
#futurefi #rotel #audiophile
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![If you can't hear this then you're not an audiophile [See description for link to followup video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/48PxwspDvrE/mqdefault.jpg)
*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY* This comments section is *moderated by a third party* who is under strict instruction not to approve racist or sexist remarks, URLs, (the seeds of) conspiracy theories or the unsubstantiated ramblings of grumpy geezers. You're in my house so please play nicely.
Thanks John, for your great content. Every time I watch you, I'm reminded of the cool dudes who were around the hifi scene in the 80's and early 90's. My dad was a designer and consultant on several of the Rotel products from '81-'96 and I had the pleasure of meeting so many really nice guys during my formative years. Videos about Rotel products obviously have a special place in my heart, and remind me fondly of times spent sat on my Dad's workbench, or listening to hour upon hour of great music as he tested his latest designs.
Nice to see Ms Jana after a long time. I really miss her Exquisite Earspace Videos. Have the highest Regard for Rotel.
It feels so-- freeing, to comment under a Darko audio video.
Hello world!
Glad someone’s talking about Rotel, my 1572 is one of the best receivers I’ve owned under 2k.
I got the 1572 mk2 in Jan '24. Love it !
My first amplifier back in 78, happy memories, good to hear Rotel still going strong. Thoroughly enjoy your reviews.
Rock on!
Great Video. Thanks for the explanations and descriptions. I owned a Rotel Pre-Amp back in the 90's with an Ashley Mos Fet Amp. Quality Stuff!
Good to see Rotel getting their due again. Now that I'm bi wiring, my next integrated may very well be a Rotel. One of my first legit systems was all Rotel with preamp, amp and CD player, and that was about 25 years ago.
Excellent video. I still have Rotel components in my basement, and their Newest Flagship hometheater prepro. I even had their RSP 1098 and they have always offered upgraded modular boards for both models.👍
I bought my first Rotel amp about 2 years ago. A power amp, for my Furutech Stratos Preamp. Really love the Rotel. High quality. Also the cool thing about Roon tested is the little logo when you view your hifi signal view in Roon. It becomes "identified". Its a cool little feature. Would love love to see the Stratos being identified...
My first quality amp purchase was a Rotel RA-12 which has a DAC and MM phono stage. Six years later and it’s in my secondary living room system at the moment. Perhaps that DAC has become ‘obselete’ but it still sounds good and I plan to keep this “super” integrated as long as I can - away from a landfill. Nice to see Rotel naturally progress and update their offerings. They also have a nice unifying design language that looks timeless IMO.
i still use 1520 rotel amp and slot loading cd still going strong. 11 years still luv it
Always liked Rotel, first ever amp was an RA820AX which I paired with JPW Sonatas and a Philips bitstream player. When the amp blew magic smoke after a year of abuse in student halls Rotel had it fixed and back to me in no time; and it lasted until I gifted it on a decade later.
I wish all reviews would do what you just did... specifying if a unit is Roon Ready or Roon Tested. Most say “works with Roon” which doesn’t mean much. Thanks for the clarity in your reviews John.
My current setup has the Rotel RX-855, the RB-850 and the RCD-855 that I bought in the 80's. Still rockin'!
Sold my Naim kit (Nac102/Nap160/HiCap ... Too many boxes!) about a decade ago with the plan to buy a Densen integrated. Got a cheap Rotel RA-931 MkII from eBay to tide me over, re-capped it and never bothered buying the Densen!. The Rotel powers my Royd speakers amazingly well and with a Raspberry Pi/DAC on the front end, I don't want for anything else!
Hi, how about a video or two about extracting SACD signals out of the player into a stand alone DAC? PS audio and now Bryson have inputs that allow you to do that, but you are stuck with their DAC. Upscale Audio sells an extractor, but it’s around 1k USD. Do you know of any alternative extractors. Thanks
My first amp was a Rotel RA820 BX2, bought new sometime in the early to mid eighties. It's traveled across the Atlantic and although now running at 110v not 240v without any adaption it's still being used by my son. Good products, super reliable.
Ha! Same - an RA820 from mid-eighties. It was a revelation to me at the time. I think I had a Dual CS505 II turntable with it and some Wharfedale speakers.
Same here, (edit: RA840BX) although bought second hand in the 90s. :) Still using it until I can decide how smart a new amp needs to be... This all looks pretty good.
Thanks for the good info , I have a rotel ra 1570 with Polk tsk 500 speakers and have started listening to streaming music but find the dac in the rotel too bright can you recommend a dac reasonable price looking at chord qutest or schiit bifrost but just watch your review on denafrips ares .
Thank you! I am looking into MICHI X3 but they are hard to audition in US.
Nice all in one Solution from Rotel. I am using since 2 Years a Yamaha5 RN 803 D because its for me the perfect Receiver.
Love those future-fi shorts, thanks John! You mentioned Zu and JBL having new speakers out. Did you talked about that in a past episode of future-fi? Don’t seem to find that one?!? Thanks
My old 1060 still going strong, no issues, michi reviews next please.
Non-Audio question ... :-) ...
I LOVE that wall behind John! What kind of wallpaper or paint is that?
I'm currently 'shopping'. I own a 10- series Rotel, B&W 600 bookshelves, and an NAD DAC. I'm comparing Parasound and Rotel, with the new B&W 603 Anniversary. The Rotel is the 1572/1582 Pre and amp, or the Para P6 and A21+. So far, I'm still stuck on the Rotel and B&W simply on price, knowing that for an extra $3000 Cdn, the sound is a bit different on the Para....really wondering on direction, though the final 'test drive' will help the decision. Rotel is warm, Parasound is 'different'...better???
Can we expect a full review on the 1592mkII on your channel?
so many questions, hope you get one soon 😎
I’ve always questioned the value of built in DACs and phono stages. DACs especially are improving at a rate higher than integrated amps. Of course, if one foresees setting with the built in DAC, that’s fine. But most audio enthusiasts are looking to see what comes up next.
Hello, I have a question, my idea is to mount two B&W 705 monitors with 2 DN15 subwoofers, with a Rotel rc1590 preamp that has 2 subwoofer outputs, will it remain in stereo or will it be in mono? how can i know this? Thank you very much.
I got the A11 tribute an CD11 tribute whats your thoughts about it?
Greetings from NRW Germany
Cool stuff
John did you saw the Xperia 5,3 IIIs product video? Seems like it has a good DAC...Not the topic of this video but just wanna say
What is that subtle drone sound in the background though? Is it just me hearing that?
So, what is the difference between mk1 and mk2? As per official description they look the same...
I love this brand!!
I was watching your videos for a while and they are really impressive and informative. A question about Yamaha's new AS series integrated amplifiers. What's your opinion on this and is it possible for a review?
OMG!... Of all the glasses you could choose from, you chose theese! :o)
😬
Only just finding this now. I like your videos and I like Rotel gear so my interest in this video is natural.
I have some old (I'm talking 1997 here) Rotel gear. A Rotel RA-971 amplifier, fed by a Rotel RDD-980 CD transport and an RDP-980 DAC. The system just makes a beautiful sound.
A little while ago I tried replacing the DAC with something more modern, capable of resolving more than a 48khz sample rate. The Rotel was so much more musical, the new DAC lasted 24 hours.
It has occurred to me that my comment refers to the very antithesis of 'FutureFi' but hey-ho.
you sir J.Darko have earned my first bell notification in years. hat off 2 ya Govna.
I ordered the RA-1592, what is the best way to play tidal content on it without relying on an external DAC like the Node?
How do you find it so far?
Correct me if I am wrong but is Rotel is updating the 1592 and still not having hook up thru the Ethernet plug to stream direct to say Spotify ? If so what planet are they from and how can you state this is future proofed?
I did not say it was "future proof". Nor did I imply it.
I think everyone around our age started off with a Rotel. Especially the cd players.
Great video. And I love your jacket John
Hi John, I'm your subscriber from Indonesia. Just fix one of my 5 ch old rotel rb 985 100 w/ch. I need your advice for new super pre or integrated amp that include streamer, dac, phono amp. Can you give me your suggestions? I'm thinking gryphon diablo 300 with dac and phono amp (need other streamer) if I switch my rotel for home theater. Thanks for your lovely channel.. Cheers from Indonesia..
Ah,Rotel..that's a name from my long distance hi-fi past.In ( many ) years gone by Rotel and Sansui dominated the lower end of the hifi amp market. When amplifiers looked liked amplifiers. Anyone remember the Goldring 101 turntable?
As someone who was an edit assist the finger clap at the start really irks me and brings back some painful memories
My first HIFi system was Elac B6 powered by Rotel RA-12 and a RCD-12. Great for the money at the time. Then I got active speakers for home cause less things for my kids to mess with and guess what. I don’t think I will ever buy a passive system again.
I’ve used Rotel off and on over the years. I really like their power supplies. The last integrated I had from them also had an HD tuner (its been a while!). It did have an unfortunate bug. If you touched it with a static charge (very common in dry New England winters), the whole unit would seize up. Tech support walked me through the step of taking the case off and shorting the appropriate place to get it up and working again, but I was kind of annoying. Eventually, I moved over to Rega, and now to rogue. I’m not a fan of integrated that build in their DACS, since that tech is moving so quickly.
dacs are a done and dusted science now, you can pick up a awesome dac for next to no money.
just look at the Yamaha RN series they exist for years and have even more features than the Rotel‘s or almost any other manufacturer for ex. they all have streaming and a dac integrated
Have the 1572MKII best sound than the Hegel H95, which I own?
@elgrage which do you like better I am confused?
Still got my 2 rotel RB960BX bridged mono from the 90s never missed a beat or a loud party !
I wasn't aware Roon Tested involved USB. Are you sure you weren't thinking of the network connection?
I'm sure. Maybe you should consider a trip to the description box. ;)
With the exception of Audio Note, who seem to be run by a particularly eccentric man, I've been impressed by every factory tour I've seen online esp Magico. Piyanas are a Thai company for their Rotel tour from 2017 has no spoken narration and is much better for it, IMO.
Hm streaming should be included if you like to call it future HiFi? NAD for example has it and is Roon ready and has two MDC upgrade slots that for sure is future orientated. In regards of quality and sound Rotel is great value for money nevertheless.
I am a big fan of one plug fits all.
Nice review and I like that background. Very stylish.
Thank you -- but this is not a review. :)
@@DarkoAudio very true, I misspoke. But I still like that background 😁
Such a bummer that that these amps (and other new models) aren't available in Japan. Rotel Japan offerings are old and very limited - seems odd considering it's a Japanese company.
Not a streamer? Is it bad design to put that in the same box as the INT?
MQA is a lossy format which also introduces quite gross levels of distortion. See GoldenSound's investigations into that.
Shouldn’t we expect all integrated amplifiers to have a MM/MC phono stage? If most if not all receivers have a DAC, what’s so unusual about an integrated amplifier also having one? Rotel does make good stuff but so do NAD, Marantz, Arcam, Yamaha Aventage, and many others.
Given that Ti owns Burr Brown wouldn’t these DACs be Burr Brown?
I love watching your reviews. And, I used to love my Rotel A14, until it died 2yrs in. It has been away for warrantee work now for going on 5 months. I am looking at Hegel and PS Audio to replace it. My AD has been great - Rotel not so much. I would not buy one again.
I like Rotel and their sound. I use it myself.
@@barrysavage2534 To my ears, the sound there is neutral, expressive and clean. With a slightly pronounced vocal. The bass is fast, precise, and sounds seamless with the entire musical composition. My impressions relate to the Michi X5 model.
Have a current RA1572 as my first a bit better hifi amp and works fine with Roon and before with Audirvana. However, I am ready to go separates. Already have a phono stage for my MIC cartridge, and think built-in DAC is not ideal in the long run due to the rapid evolution of digital audio. I also read/see Rotel frequently sneered at amongst Hifi/HiEnd folks. I have not had the opportunity to listen to different amps, so would welcome some insights. Comparison to Parasound, Hegel, PassLabs, ... would be interesting from someone who does not seem to be a priori biased against Rotel. Thanks!
Thank you so much @JohnDarko. Your information is priceless. So thoughtfully written and filmed. I bought a RA-1572 two days ago! I feel bamboozled by my audio salesman. Is the upgrade worth waiting 1.5months?
Same question here - bought an A12 last month and about to exchange for the A14 - then this announcement, froze me in my tracks.
I always wonder how people who can afford such things even have time to listen to music at home. Like I live and work in Germany but even though I have to fight for some time to listen to music (mostly it's after 00:00 so I can only listen to headphones anyway) because I have to work so much I still only can afford a used 200€ amp.
Not “super” enough without a built-in streamer, IMO. Hegel, NAD, Naim Uniti, now there are some true super-integrateds.
I hope they will be updating the rc1572
Me2 ,was going to buy re rc1572 butt i wil wait a bit.if they upgrade intergrateds the pre,s wil follow i guess😅
@@dodjo18 probably, usually they bring out an integrated, then split the components, add a separate power supply, and there you have separates. Just like the ra1572 is basically the rb1552+rc1572
Great review as always John. Not sure if it's just me, but that wispy almost imperceptible music in the background does take my mind away from what you're saying trying to hear it. I found it very distracting with my mind wandering thinking of a relaxation Spa, instead of concentring on what you were saying. But that's probably me and my inability to multitask!
Relaxation spa? Yes! Review? Nope. :D
Hair!
If he can explained it simpler than elaborating i can understand it better!
Maybe it’s just me.
When I worked for Advent loudspeakers in the 80s we had an expression “they are off more than they are on. They may as well look good while they are just standing there. “.
I bought a pair of those in 1979.
Love John's eyeglasses. Remind me of Jacqu Marie Mage. Any chance he can share the brand/model?
I'm a bit worried that Jana is listening to muzak.....
In 2021, I'm puzzled by new integrateds that lack built in streaming capabilities. Without streaming, I don't see how these Rotels are meaningfully different than integrateds from the mid 2000s with the exception of more attention paid to the DAC tuning.
I agree. It's semantics but I would reserve "super-integrated" for amps with streaming capability like the Hegels, but since John coined the term I guess he can use it whatever way he wants.
Damn right, I coined the term. Hahaha. ;)
However, allow me to formalise the definition of a 'super-integrated' in the interests of clarity: it's an integrated amplifier with *TWO or more* additional features. Those could be DAC + streamer or they could be DAC + phono stage, as they are here.
@@DarkoAudio I think we can all get behind that. Another one for the Big Encyclopedia of Audiophile Terminology. Just imagine the on line arguments we could have about that !😉
@@DarkoAudio Your term, your rules. I would argue that the form factor of an integrated was to combine the pre-amp and amp together, along with various inputs for relevant sources. Streaming far surpasses phono stage and DAC inputs in terms of the number of people streaming vs playing LPs or utilizing DAC inputs, but that capability is excluded from A LOT of integrateds. It's not until you get to Naim pricing that we see it included outside of AVRs.
Streaming technology changes too fast in recent years so I prefer to have a separate unit in charge of sources.
FUCK!! I just got the Rotel RA 1572 two weeks ago.
I'm guessing John is quite tall......
Great jacket.
I would never buy a expensive amp with build in DAC. Every few years there comes a new latest greatest DAC but a power amp is timeless. I would rather buy a new stand alone DAC every so many years and not have to pay for a complete amp.
That's why i have a NAD C388 that has MDC slots to upgrade your amp they provide at the moment 3 various modules and more are on the way meaning you can keep your amp updated without changing the whole unit and is reasonably priced.
I understand this entirely (particularly with Hegel, who only offer two analogue inputs on most of their amplifiers) but there is also an appeal to having one remote (and not using another to switch between digital inputs on your DAC). With the exception of stupid proprietary codecs like MQA, it's hard to see DACs appreciably improving in the future (given most music is 24/48 at most).
Meanwhile cambridge have their new super-integrateds
Love Canada M.T.L Québec wow
It's becoming big businees now with Cambridge releasing two integrated streamers with phono stages also.
You are an English guy. Your videos are in the English language. You presumably have a lot of viewers in the UK, so why when mentioning the prices of equipment don't you ever mention the UK price in GBP?
mk2 DSD non compatibile!
yay.......more over-priced thin sounding amps from good old Rotel.........those from the late 1990s sounded better......
'Future-fi' is a bit of a misnomer regarding lifestyle products that will end up as landfill when just one part of the technology fails. Doesn't fit in with your narrative, but an important consideration when influencing others' spending.
What do you mean by 'lifestyle' products? And by that logic, ANY hifi piece could end up in a landfill if one of its internal components fails.
@@DarkoAudio Aiming for wider appeal and in this case all-in-one simplification. Not belittling it from a hifi perspective. Superficially appealing, but still around (and serviceable and with supported technology) in say 10, 20 years' time?
I think you're referring to possible technological obsolescence? Which feature of this super integrated do you think will go the way of the dodo?
Rotel was one of the 1st "higher end" brands I was exposed to...I never liked how they sounded. Punchy? Sure. Dynamic? Absolutely. But they always sounded harsh and unforgiving to me. It got worse when they went all in on Class D amps. (file under "unsubstantiated ramblings of grumpy geezers")
ya that girl is a cutie
That Jana is one cutie pie!