Rotel RSP-1582 - New AV preamp from Rotel

Wednesday, 21 January 2015 09:09

Rotel RSP-1582 - New AV preamp from Rotel

Written by Karl Erik Sylthe

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Rotel launch a new top model AV preamplifier. The new model replaces the gradually aging RSP-1580.

Rotel has since the childhood of surround formats been a heavy player in AV products in the serious end. And unlike the Japanese giants there is far more than a year between each new generation of products. This also means that it ithere are slightly larger expectations every time they launch a new product within this category. RSP-1572 is the latest processor Rotel have in their product range, but this is in a clearly lower end than the old RSP1580.

It is therefore on high time that the multi-channel power amplifier RMB-1585 which was launched in 2013, get a more worthy partner in the preamplifier and the processor side. Still it is somewhat surprising that the RSP-1582 stays on the ground, by virtue of being a 7.1 preamp without any trace of either Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D or DTS: X. This means one of two: either product development cycles are so long for their products that Rotel RSP-1582 simply came too early to participate in the 3D race. Or they think that the new formats is a flop, adding the resources elsewhere. Only time will tell.

Rotel in return has focused on the DACs in high quality. Six 24bit / 192kHz DACs from Wolfson in terms of WM8740, where four of them are doubled for center and fronts + sub, while the last two stereo DACs takes care of Surround and Surround Back. RSP-1582 is also equipped with an AD-converter from Texas Instruments, a PCM 1804.

Multichannel decoding is handled by an Aureus DSP chip, TMS320DA808 from Texas Instruments. An analog bypass ensures that all digital circuits are avoided when there is no need for that in the analog inputs. Of analog inputs, we find 4 Aux inputs and one RCA input, an XLR balanced input, an analog input 7.1 + 6 regular RCA inputs. Pre-out are as complete 7.1 set in both RCA and XLR.

Digital innputs we find 3 optical, 3 coax, 3 PC USB inputs that support 24/192 and an aptX bluetooth receiver. And then there is an more that sufficient leash of HDMI inputs.

Rotel has taken up the tradition of a larger display on their flagship AV preamps, like the RSP-1092 of the good old days. On RSP-1582 we find a 7-inch color display in the front. It also has extensive equipment list that facilitates custom-install.

Rotel RSP get a suggested retail price in the US of USD 3.499, - and will be available in black and silver from March to April 2015.

Neby import Rotel to Norway.