Rotel reviews

Rotel A12 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel A12

The middle brother in the Rotel family group breaks with the construction of the smaller A10. The Rotel A12 is more voluminous. Actually identical to the large A14. The art grip is made possible by the display, which allows all sorts of fine adjustments. Here you can specify details such as bass, treble...
Rotel A14 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel A14

Small in size but heavy A14 amplifier is identified externally exactly as Rotel. Outwardly the branded style is maintained well and this is traditional, classical amplifier. The power button is on the left, headphones input and the switch to select speaker systems are at the same place. The display and...
Rotel RA-01 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-01

In principle, RA-01 can be the example of uncompromising solution of a substantive engineering problem: how can an amplifier be cheaper without decreasing its sound qualities?We said "in principle" for a reason. You can completely judge how competently the engineers got out of this delicate situation...
Rotel RA-02 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-02

Rotel Company remains committed to the production of high-quality two-channel equipment, which cannot but rejoice. It would seem that such a large company should follow the general trends that imply a clear choice in favor of the home theater and stereo amplifiers out of production, however, seems to...
Rotel RA-03 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-03

The amplifier is analog, the main nodes are assembled according to the classical scheme on discrete elements. Judging by the marking, the resistors are low-noise; the capacitors are film, there are separate ground spikes for signal and power circuits. Bipolar transistors are used in the output stages....
Rotel RA-04 SE Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-04 SE

Tokyo based manufacturer Rotel was founded by the Tachikawa family in 1961, and over the last fifty years have built a reputation for making audio equipment which seems to offer just a little bit more than most of the competition. Although most manufacturing now takes place in a company owned facility...
Rotel RA-05 SE Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-05 SE

The amplifier is assembled in a slim-case with a height of 7 centimeters. On the front panel, in addition to the mandatory attributes - volume knobs and input selector, there are treble / bass and balance controls, as well as a Tape / Source recording switch. There is a bypass of the tone block and load...
Rotel RA-10 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-10

The formula of the budget Rotel amplifier remains unaltered. The component situated in a thin case can boast the great outfit (headphone output, MM phono amplifier and two sets of outputs for acoustic systems). However, it has one disadvantage. As well as its forerunner (the RA-04 SE) the RA-10 is not...
Rotel RA-1060 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-1060

All-around development of multi-channels expects stereo amplifiers to enter the "red book". But is the possibility of pure stereo death so high? At progressive sales growth of multi-channel equipment the need for stereo gradually decreases. Surely, many of us consistently prefer, for example, universal...
Rotel RA-12 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-12

As well as the Audiolab 8200A, the Rotel RA-12 amplifier has a tough time: the previous model of this lineup - the RA-10 - got the Award and the Rotel RA-12 has to fall into line. There are quite telling characteristics in the list: the RA-12 has the increased capacity (60 W while the RA-10 features...
Rotel RA-920AX Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-920AX

The famous minimalist model by Rotel, which in tests of many audio magazines has repeatedly "outplayed" many more expensive and famous amplifier models. The secret of the popularity of audio equipment Rotel is in the careful study of the scheme and the use of selected high-quality components of audiophile...
Rotel RA-931 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-931

Should the amplifier attract the attention with its appearance? Well, of course, it has no right to be an "ugly duckling" in the home audio complex, but, probably, it should not stand out much in order not to distract from the main thing - the music. If the guys who created the Rotel RA-931 were reasoning...
Rotel RA-935BX Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-935BX

The Rotel strategy in marketing value-for-money hi-fi separates in the UK has been very successful. Basically the units are built in the Far East, where costs can be kept down, but details of the designs and the choice of 'audiophile' components are worked out in this country. The RA935BX integrated...
Rotel RA-940BX Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-940BX

For nigh-on a decade, Rotel had kept its 800 Series amplifiers ticking over with steady but often rather subtle improvements. But now, with the introduction of the 900 Series, we are at last witnessing fundamental changes to their topology and technical performance. From the outside then, the RA-940BX...
Rotel RA-945 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RA-945

According to the test, RA-945 gives a lot of "pros" to the main company's concept, defined as "balanced design". At the same time everything, which is added to the scheme, leads to obvious improvement of sound, and in key places of the scheme the elements with multiple reserve are used. RA-945 looks...
Rotel RB-1091 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RB-1091

True or false: The more you spend on an audio system, the better it will sound? I found myself pondering this question after a recent visit to the West Coast where I heard three stellar (and costly) systems in rapid succession. The first featured the Brinkmann Balance turntable and DALI Megaline loudspeaker;...
Rotel RB-1092 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RB-1092

The past few years have seen a quiet revolution in stereo amplifier design, as we've witnessed a migration from one way of designing power amplifiers to another. The move from Class AB to Class D operation is significant for a number of reasons - arguably almost on a par with the move from tube to transistor...
Rotel RB-1552 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RB-1552

When we talk about the premium systems, we usually mean a set of independent components. The separate amplifier and source may also be divided into two parts. In fact, the single-block amplifiers are called integral not for nothing - each of them has two hidden independent devices: the preamplifier with...
Rotel RB-985 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RB-985

Rotel might not be as familiar to the general public as some other brands, but it is well known to serious audiophiles for the quality and value of its comprehensive line of audio products. Although manufactured in the Far East, the company's products are designed and engineered in Great Britain. The...
Rotel RC-1070 Preamplifier review
Preamplifier Rotel RC-1070

In terms of the design equipment Rotel looks traditional and pre RC-1070 is no exception - this silver front panel, framed by dark metal handles, we met and CD/DVD-player, and integrated amplifiers are. Located on the facade of the infrared receiver, 6.3 mm jack for headphones, a power button and a volume...
Rotel RC-1580/Rotel RB-1582 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RC-1580/Rotel RB-1582

Japanese company Rotel has always paid close attention to the pragmatics - price/quality ratio. This trend has come in full force in the new 15th technology which is under picky opinion of our experts now. It is based on the Balanced Design Concept that combines the laws of physics and engineering. Certainly...
Rotel RC-971/Rotel RB-971 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RC-971/Rotel RB-971

Buying a new amplifier for audio set, it is always useful to remember about its further upgrade. Maybe, with the lapse of time you will want to place a subwoofer or vocalize the next room, or make a theatre... And not yet unclaimed additional possibilities will come in handy here. Rotel RC-971 preamplifier...
Rotel RC-995/RB-990BX Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RC-995/RB-990BX

Design of this pair of the two-unit Rotel amplifiers "top" models is laconic and strict; it resembles the English "peers" in black tuxedos. Credo of the Rotel Company is "the production of affordable audio components with the highest possible sound quality". The Rotal engineers think that this "concept...
Rotel RCC-945 CD-changer review
CD-changer Rotel RCC-945

The Rotel RCC-945 appears, at first glance, to be a typical front-loading single-disc CD player, with a small but complete display window, a few added control buttons, and a standard-size disc drawer. Appearances can be deceptive, however. Within that conventional exterior is a changer mechanism that...
Rotel RCD-02 CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-02

Japanese company Rotel has perhaps the most non-Japanese image. And in regard to engineering philosophy, and that affects the production and marketing of audio, this reputable company is very close to the British school. It does not seek to surprise variety of functions, elegant finish or high-tech know-how....
Rotel RCD-06SE CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-06SE

The SE version is quite different from the basic RCD-06. The novelty uses the modern Wolfson WM8740 converter, which replaced the Burr-Brown chip, and many circuit solutions are borrowed from the 15th series. The trace of printed circuit boards is completely symmetrical with the shortest possible signal...
Rotel RCD-1072 CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-1072

RCD-1072 does not need a long introduction. This player replaced the model with the same index, but with number "70" at the end and primarily differs in appearance: the display moved to the center under the tray for CD loading and control layout has changed. The well-proven 24-bit delta-sigma DAC Burr-Brown...
Rotel RCD-1570 CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-1570

Here's a company with something of a varied past. In the seventies it was making huge, chintzy hi-fi separates, but a decade later had become famous for stripped-down, minimalist products with the accent on sonics rather than frills. It has stuck with this, watching larger Japanese manufacturers fall...
Rotel RCD-950 CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-950

An equipment of Rotel always attracts you by irregular approaches even to its not the coolest models. CD player RCD-950 takes the 4th place in the product line, and a couple of its features earn to be especially detailed. Firstly, this is a specific digit-analog converter, which, being a single-bit by...
Rotel RCD-975 CD-player review
CD-player Rotel RCD-975

High sound quality at an affordable price is a "family feature" of all audio equipment from the Japanese company Rotel, so its products are often unofficially classified as "affordable High End". And this is not surprising, since the design principles of audio equipment from the developers of Rotel,...
Rotel RDV-1093 DVD-player review
DVD-player Rotel RDV-1093

Early models of DVD-players Rotel, with good performance and a standard set of features that were quite expensive, so are primarily of interest to those wishing to create a single-brand home theater system. But with the release model RDV-1092, created exclusively by its own forces, the situation has...
Rotel RMB-1575 Amplifier review
Amplifier Rotel RMB-1575

The Japanese company Rotel has long been conducting research in the field of designing amplifiers of D class. Today, all of the company's amplification equipment works in this class. The five-channel power amplifier RMB-1575 is not an exception. It is enclosed in a relatively light and very small case,...
Rotel RSDX-02 DVD-receiver review
DVD-receiver Rotel RSDX-02

If you judge about the quality of a device by its appearance, Rotel RSDX-02 makes a serious request for the lead. Most of potential buyers will love he stylish look of the DVD-receiver. The device is a part of the series with 02 index, all models of which combine an elegant design with good sound, that...
Rotel RSP-1098 Processor review
Processor Rotel RSP-1098

Take a look at the front panel of the unit. Because the display makes the management process much clearer, designers were able to thoroughly unload facade - all manipulations with source selection or adjustment of sound performed only "DIAL" to the left, and a few auxiliary buttons. It is a pity that...
Rotel RSP-960AX Surround Processor review
Surround Processor Rotel RSP-960AX

Although Rotel modestly bills its RSP-960AX as a mere surround-sound processor-one providing Dolby Pro Logic decoding as well as music-oriented ambience-enhancement modes-it can nonetheless perform many of the functions of a complete A/V preamplifier. It includes, for example, audio and video connections...
Rotel RSX-03 AV-receiver review
AV-receiver Rotel RSX-03

The RSX-03 appearance wins with the simplicity of its design, setting for the idea that there should not be any special problems when establishing the contact. The small number of buttons is clearly placed on the faceplate and features the uniqueness of their functions: each input has its personal button....
Rotel RSX-1056 AV-receiver review
AV-receiver Rotel RSX-1056

Let us start with the main thing: in the presence of all modern seven-channel decoders of surround there are only five power amplifiers in RSX-1056. At first glance the concept is not logical. However, how many "theatre lovers" install in their house the system with additional rear speakers? That's the...
Rotel RSX-1057 AV-receiver review
AV-receiver Rotel RSX-1057

Despite of seeming fading and absence of the outrageous the receiver Rotel RSX-1057 represents complete, powerful and qualitative module of home theatre system. This trade mark is famous and respected among audiophiles; the name Rotel is always associated with outstanding sound abilities. And if stereo...
Rotel RSX-1058 AV-receiver review
AV-receiver Rotel RSX-1058

The front panel of Rotel RSX-1058 receiver looks simple, there are no lids, all the buttons are in sight. There are handles, simplifying the installation of this massive device (17.4 kg / 38.3 lb) into the rack with other devices. Judging by the number of buttons of direct access to source, there can...
Rotel RSX-1067 AV-receiver review
AV-receiver Rotel RSX-1067

The design of Rotel RSX-1067 receiver can be the subject of a family dispute. The male half will likely love it - the device seems to be removed from the rack with professional equipment. But the woman will easily confuse it with a heating device of terrible black color. What arguments can be made here...
Rotel RT-09 Tuner review
Tuner Rotel RT-09

Rotel RT-09 is based on the DAC from Wolfson, working with signal up to 24 bit/192kHz and actually combines the functions of a traditional tuner, digital tuner, an external DAC and network player. And the network functions are implemented through a dedicated connector USB. To connect the wired network...
Rotel RT-950BX Tuner review
Tuner Rotel RT-950BX

Continuing our examination of Rotel's current 900 series it is the turn of the better of two tuners in the range, currently priced at £200. Only 72mm high on its drum feet, the RT-950BX is of standard 440mm width but only 280mm deep, considerably less than other units in the range. In practice...
Rotel RX-1052 Stereo Receiver review
Stereo Receiver Rotel RX-1052

The RX-1052 device is significantly more expensive than the integrated amplifier of the same acoustic parameters and it is reasonable. The design of receiver is new design for the company; however it is based on the classical canons. The only unusual detail is the black powerful knobs: it is easy to...