Предусилители — Rotel RC-1590MKII

The Rotel RC-1590MKII is a stereo preamplifier that Rotel presents for reference audio systems, handling both analogue and digital sources. It includes a moving magnet phono input, a Texas Instruments DAC with custom output filters, and wireless Bluetooth with aptX and AAC.

Key specs that matter

Line level RCA inputs have 150 mV sensitivity, 100 kohm impedance, 117 dB of noise margin and a 4 V overload point. The balanced XLR input needs 250 mV, also presents 100 kohm, reaches 115 dB and overloads at 5.5 V. The MM phono input takes 2.5 mV into 47 kohm, with 80 dB of noise margin and a 64 mV overload margin. Digital inputs measure 108 dB, accept 0 dBFS at 75 ohms and cover 20 Hz to 20 kHz within 0.5 dB. Total harmonic distortion and intermodulation distortion are both below 0.002% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Line response spans 10 Hz to 100 kHz within 0.1 dB, and phono response runs 20 Hz to 20 kHz within plus 0.3 and minus 0.2 dB.

Engineering and use context

Two toroidal transformers made in Rotel's own factory provide dedicated supply voltages for different parts of the circuit. A direct path analogue bypass mode takes the tone circuitry out of the signal path, while the tone controls themselves give plus or minus 10 dB at 100 Hz and 10 kHz. Coaxial and optical inputs accept LPCM up to 24-bit and 192 kHz. USB Audio Class 1 works up to 24-bit and 96 kHz, and Class 2 up to 32-bit and 384 kHz. MQA files are unfolded up to 24-bit and 384 kHz, and the unit is Roon Tested certified. Outputs are available on both RCA, at 1 V, and XLR, at 2 V, plus a subwoofer output, and the preout level is 1.65 V at a volume setting of minus 20 dB. Channel separation exceeds 85 dB on RCA and phono and 75 dB on XLR. The 431 x 144 x 348 mm case has a 3U front panel of 132.6 mm and weighs 10.1 kg. Power consumption is 45 W, and standby is under 0.5 W. The unit dissipates 78 BTU/h.

Pairing

The balanced and unbalanced outputs let the RC-1590MKII drive a stereo power amplifier over either connection type. An active subwoofer can be connected through its dedicated output. Vinyl playback needs no separate phono stage provided the pickup uses a moving magnet design. The North American unit is specified for 120 V at 60 Hz.

Alternatives

The Michi P5 from Rotel is a stereo preamplifier with dual AKM DACs plus a phono input for MC as well as MM pickups.