Rotel RA-1572 MKII
Rotel stereo integrated amplifier featuring a 32-bit DAC, a moving magnet phono stage and aptX Bluetooth, for music lovers seeking versatility.
Description
The RA-1572 MKII is a stereo integrated amplifier from Rotel, designed to bring together the analogue and digital sources of a hi-fi system in a single unit. It combines a classic power amplifier stage with a built-in digital-to-analogue converter, a Bluetooth module and a phono input, making it a central component capable of driving a pair of speakers directly without any additional electronics.
The power section delivers 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms in class AB, rising to 200 watts into 4 ohms, with total harmonic distortion below 0.018% and intermodulation distortion below 0.03%. The damping factor of 220 reflects good control over the speakers, particularly in the bass register. This power supply relies on an oversized toroidal transformer manufactured by Rotel, whose geometry limits stray radiation that could interfere with neighbouring audio circuits, paired with a bank of four slit-foil T-Network capacitors with optimised mirror-image reflection.
On the digital side, the Texas Instruments 32-bit/384 kHz converter processes incoming streams, including via the PC-USB input compatible with MQA, while aptX and AAC Bluetooth enables wireless streaming. The moving magnet phono stage allows a turntable to be connected without an external preamplifier. Frequency response varies depending on the source: 20 Hz to 20 kHz on the phono input, 10 Hz to 90 kHz on digital, and 10 Hz to 100 kHz on line input, with a signal-to-noise ratio of 100 dB.
The front panel houses a status display, source and volume controls, an A/B speaker selection useful for a second listening zone, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Ethernet and RS232 ports allow integration into a home automation control system and firmware updates. The unit is Roon Tested certified.
This type of amplifier suits a stereo system combining analogue and digital sources, particularly listeners with a turntable fitted with an MM cartridge who wish to add Bluetooth streaming or a USB connection from a computer. The headphone output and support for two pairs of speakers also make it a sensible choice for multi-zone listening.
Technical specifications
| Power output | 120 W/channel into 8 ohms, 200 W/channel into 4 ohms |
| Total harmonic distortion | < 0.018 % |
| Intermodulation distortion | < 0.03 % |
| Frequency response (phono) | 20 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Frequency response (digital) | 10 Hz - 90 kHz |
| Frequency response (line) | 10 Hz - 100 kHz |
| Damping factor | 220 |
| Input sensitivity/impedance (phono) | 2.1 mV / 47 kOhms |
| Input sensitivity/impedance (line RCA) | 270 mV / 100 kOhms |
| Input sensitivity/impedance (line XLR) | 440 mV / 100 kOhms |
| Signal to noise ratio | 100 dB |
What to check before buying used
The motorised potentiometer is worth testing across its full range to rule out any crackling or channel imbalance, while the slit-foil capacitors in the power supply, sensitive to ageing, may see their performance decline after many years of use. Checking the power inductors and protection relays at switch-on allows you to verify the absence of unwanted noise or unexpected cut-outs. The phono input and Bluetooth module should also be tested separately, as these secondary circuits are sometimes the first to be affected by exposure to humidity.
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