Rotel RB1590 vs Classe M600: Battle of brothers/sisters
Joey_V
Posts: 8,552
So....
Round 1:
Rotel RB1590 vs Classe M600
Summary:
The Rotel is a very formidable amp but it is not the better amp of the two, my dealer and I agreed after a few rounds of A/B on several songs. The Rotel was pleasant to listen to, not bright, but warm. The Rotel didn't display the best expression or lack of compression (as I like to call it) but it was not particularly deficient either. I find that it is far better than the Parasound I had in my possession a few months ago in many respects, but at the same time shared a similar warm signature.
The Rotel's bass was ample, but not the best I heard. The transients were sufficiently etched/sharp. The midrange was there in spades. The highs were there, but relatively, it was not tube like in extension. The imaging was good, centered when needed to be so, and clear. It did not make the vocal image POP out of the background as much as I'd like it to, but there was sufficient realism with regards to imaging. The images were pretty palpable and there was some projection of energy by the singer.
Classe M600
Summary:
What can I say about an amp that has been as well received and well reviewed as the Classe M600? John Atkinson reviewed and measured it as one of the best amps in the world. HOw does it stack against the sister, Rotel RB1590?
The Classe is better. Simply better.
Main differences were:
1. It displayed a degree of less compression thus having better expression.
2. The amp was a little more realistic, it didn't have this overly warm sensation throughout all musical tracks... it was warm when it needed to be and cool when called for, I felt like it was more transparent in this sense.
3. The bass on the Classe was great, better than on the Rotel without a doubt. Tighter and less fuzzy transients.
4. The midrange was good, the piano sounded far better on the Classe.
5. The treble extension was better as well, but not the last world when compared to the Cary 211FE and obviously the Boulder.
6. The imaging was far better, tighter, denser, and more of a POP... meaning the vocalist took a step out of the field and into the room. Very cool experience. Both the dealer and I enjoyed it.
Round 1:
Rotel RB1590 vs Classe M600
Summary:
The Rotel is a very formidable amp but it is not the better amp of the two, my dealer and I agreed after a few rounds of A/B on several songs. The Rotel was pleasant to listen to, not bright, but warm. The Rotel didn't display the best expression or lack of compression (as I like to call it) but it was not particularly deficient either. I find that it is far better than the Parasound I had in my possession a few months ago in many respects, but at the same time shared a similar warm signature.
The Rotel's bass was ample, but not the best I heard. The transients were sufficiently etched/sharp. The midrange was there in spades. The highs were there, but relatively, it was not tube like in extension. The imaging was good, centered when needed to be so, and clear. It did not make the vocal image POP out of the background as much as I'd like it to, but there was sufficient realism with regards to imaging. The images were pretty palpable and there was some projection of energy by the singer.
Classe M600
Summary:
What can I say about an amp that has been as well received and well reviewed as the Classe M600? John Atkinson reviewed and measured it as one of the best amps in the world. HOw does it stack against the sister, Rotel RB1590?
The Classe is better. Simply better.
Main differences were:
1. It displayed a degree of less compression thus having better expression.
2. The amp was a little more realistic, it didn't have this overly warm sensation throughout all musical tracks... it was warm when it needed to be and cool when called for, I felt like it was more transparent in this sense.
3. The bass on the Classe was great, better than on the Rotel without a doubt. Tighter and less fuzzy transients.
4. The midrange was good, the piano sounded far better on the Classe.
5. The treble extension was better as well, but not the last world when compared to the Cary 211FE and obviously the Boulder.
6. The imaging was far better, tighter, denser, and more of a POP... meaning the vocalist took a step out of the field and into the room. Very cool experience. Both the dealer and I enjoyed it.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
Comments
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Nice write up. Thanks Joey!2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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The Classe m600 are monoblocks, the Rotel RB1590 is a dual mono in a single chassis.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Nice write up! Classe and bryston on are on my amp upgrade list. The problem is I can't demo classe in my home, but do have a bryston dealer near me.
That rotel is a beast!2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
Nice write up! Classe and bryston on are on my amp upgrade list. The problem is I can't demo classe in my home, but do have a bryston dealer near me.
That rotel is a beast!
It is a beast. I like it a lot.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
that is amp p o r n - NSFW and totally sexy. Nice review too, would love to play in that range someday!VA HT HK AVR20II, Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD, Polk Audio RC80i / Polk Audio CSi3, 60" Panasonic Plasma, Nordost / Signal Cable A2 / Wireworld / Pangea / Magic Power
VA 2 Channel Focal Electra 926 speakers, Pass Labs X150.5 Amp, Eastern Electric MiniMax Preamp (Tutay mods), Eastern Electric Minimax CDP (Scott Nixon mods), Music Hall mmf 5.1 Turntable, Parks Audio Budgie Phono Pre , Audioengine B1 streamer, MIT S3 IC's / MIT Shotgun S3 Speaker Cables / PS Audio power cables
Noggin Schiit Valhalla, Pangea, Phillips Fidelio X1, Polk UF8000
Polk SDA1c modded
Polk CRS+ 4.1TL modded (need veneer)
Polk SDA2BTL (fully modded)
A/L 1000VA Dreadnought Canare 4s11 SDA cable
SACD Marantz DV8300
Sony S9000ES CD/DVD/SACD
Yamaha YP-D6
Soundcraftsmen PCR800
Audible Illusions L1 Preamp
Vincent MFA based Cocci Tube Preamp
Pho-700 Phono Pre
Signal Cable Silver Resolution IC's -
Retail of Classe' M600 amps?
Retail for Rotel RB1590 is $4000. May not be an apples-to-apples comparison.[ -
I think people would be happy with the rb1590.
That's what I was trying to get at.
If that's all the amp I could have on my speakers, I'd be content enoughMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I am not surprised that Classe Won. But then, Rotel is no slouch by all means.
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Joey, what happened to the Boulder 2600. That amp is/ was gigantic and these are not all that small either. Why more amps ? Just seeing what's out there or supplying another room to your already very heavy duty gear ? I looked at the spec sheet and ad from Rotel and I had no idea what class gear they made and how very high end they became. At 350 a side and a beautiful lay out I also checked out the matching RC 1590 pre/amp and is equally as nice. For me black over silver every time. The Classe` as mono blocks didn't really interest me but man you've got great taste.
http://rotel.com/product/rb-15902chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E
H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-
Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc -
I'm thinking this is the 2nd system.2-channelBelles 22A Pre, Emotiva XPA-2 Gen 2, Marantz SA8005, Pro-Ject RPM-10 Turntable, Pro-Ject Phono Box DS3B, Polk Audio Legend L800's, AudioQuest Cable throughout.
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I'm thinking this is the 2nd system.
Or 3rd
Need to slow down. Reigns being pulled by the wife.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
leftwinger57 wrote: »Joey, what happened to the Boulder 2600. That amp is/ was gigantic and these are not all that small either. Why more amps ? Just seeing what's out there or supplying another room to your already very heavy duty gear ? I looked at the spec sheet and ad from Rotel and I had no idea what class gear they made and how very high end they became. At 350 a side and a beautiful lay out I also checked out the matching RC 1590 pre/amp and is equally as nice. For me black over silver every time. The Classe` as mono blocks didn't really interest me but man you've got great taste.
http://rotel.com/product/rb-1590
Boulder is here... Hasn't left.
You should check reviews on the Classe cam600... Great piece. It's on my system right now. Check it out and then get back to me.
Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
Call me crazy Joey, but if I owned those beautiful looking Classe's, I would not be setting another monster amp on top of them.. Whats up with that ?HT SYSTEM-
Sony 850c 4k
Pioneer elite vhx 21
Sony 4k BRP
SVS SB-2000
Polk Sig. 20's
Polk FX500 surrounds
Cables-
Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable
Kitchen
Sonos zp90
Grant Fidelity tube dac
B&k 1420
lsi 9's -
Not only that of Tony's question but why are you going from 1 very high end piece and then to an amp of equal more or less value. The Boulder isn't enough to call it a day ? With me and my rotation of speakers makes so much sense because they all do different things, w/ your amps how different can it be ? This is fascinating to me at this end of the 1 amp single driver spectrum. I heard there always will be something bigger, better, faster, better build quality and this was a conversation on muscle car collecting.2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E
H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-
Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc -
I believe Joey already stated they tried the rotel for fun.2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
Call me crazy Joey, but if I owned those beautiful looking Classe's, I would not be setting another monster amp on top of them.. Whats up with that ?
THe Classe can handle it, it was built for stacking. The top lid of the Classe is firm and solid... the Rotel on the otherhand, is thin and bends, not good for stacking other than perhaps the accompanying preamp.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
I believe Joey already stated they tried the rotel for fun.
Yeah, I actually liked the Rotel a lot. I am planning on integrating it to the secondary system sometime later.
Taking a little breather here.Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
The Rotel combo RC1590/RB1590 ($5.7K retail) is a great combo for the money. I have owned a lot of Rotel pieces through the years and have always been happy with them. My son has my hand-me-downs and so does my brother-in-law. My B-I-L has my old RC1090 pre and RB-1092 amp driving his ADS810 speakers and is thrilled with the setup.[
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The Rotel combo RC1590/RB1590 ($5.7K retail) is a great combo for the money. I have owned a lot of Rotel pieces through the years and have always been happy with them. My son has my hand-me-downs and so does my brother-in-law. My B-I-L has my old RC1090 pre and RB-1092 amp driving his ADS810 speakers and is thrilled with the setup.
Can I be your brother in law?Magico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R -
The Rotel combo RC1590/RB1590 ($5.7K retail) is a great combo for the money. I have owned a lot of Rotel pieces through the years and have always been happy with them. My son has my hand-me-downs and so does my brother-in-law. My B-I-L has my old RC1090 pre and RB-1092 amp driving his ADS810 speakers and is thrilled with the setup.
Can I be your brother in law?
No kidding... Any more sisters on the market there Mr. Miner?Lexicon RT-10, Parasound P5, McCormack DNA 0.5, Polk SDA CRS+, SVS Sub
Schiit Modi, Luminous Audio Axiom II, McCormack DNA-1, Digital Phase AP 2
Marantz AV7701, Emotiva XPA-5, Paradigm 11se Mkii, DCM Time Windows, NHT 2C, SVS Sub
Spares - Kenwood C1 Pre, NAD 2200PE, Polk Monitor 10B, Polk Model 11, other odds and ends -
I'm surprised to hear that you favored the Rotel over Parasound. I had the opposite experience. Then again, I wasn't listening to their TOTL.Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10 -
I'll gladly include you in my will Joey_V if you do the same for me. Nope, I am then only living member left in my family. Plus, JPete, my sister (RIP) would have been too much baggage to handle.[
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Thanks minerMagico M2, JL113v2x2, EMM, ARC Ref 10 Line, ARC Ref 10 Phono, VPIx2, Lyra Etna, Airtight Opus1, Boulder, AQ Wel&Wild, SRA Scuttle Rack, BlueSound+LPS, Thorens 124DD+124SPU, Sennheiser, Metaxas R2R
