I might be crazy.... but the Rotel preamp actually sounds decent

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Joey_V
Joey_V Posts: 8,520
in 2 Channel Audio
So, I am sans preamp.
I am sans Emm Labs CD transport.

Running Bluesound Node 2 into my Emm DAC2x and using the Rotel RC1570 preamp from my game room system in my main room to tide me over.

I must say, it sounds quite enjoyable.

I can tell there is a definite hash and digitization to the sound, but I'm impressed at the enjoyability of this little guy. Makes me even think about trying other SS preamps instead of sticking with just tube preamps.

I wonder how much the AQ WEL power cord is helping. It might be another experiment I can do in the meantime when I'm bored... but in the meantime, I've had the Rotel in the main system for a week now, listened about 4x (1h each maybe?) and it's been a fun ride. Close my eyes and I'm still transported.

Thumbs up to whoever has this preamp. I think it's pretty good for the price.
Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • Upstatemax
    Upstatemax Posts: 2,623
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    I’ve been pretty impressed with modern Rotel stuff. Great performance for the prices.

    I would really like to get my ears on the new Michi stuff from them...
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,520
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    Yes... that's what I was thinking too.

    The Michi gear.

    Good point Frank
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,100
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    Everybody knows that amps and preamps all sound the same. :*;)
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,520
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    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Everybody knows that amps and preamps all sound the same. :*;)

    It's our little secret...
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • daddyjt
    daddyjt Posts: 2,326
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    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    Everybody knows that amps and preamps all sound the same. :*;)

    I thought higher wattage ratings always = better sound...?

    Oh wait - that’s speakers... :wink:
    "Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow


    “Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
    ― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,640
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    Using the same pre in my office system and it is a very nice match with my VTL monos.
    Only real complaint I have is the phono pre but only because I am using a cartridge that could use some more gain in the phono stage.

    But most of my listening is the Auralic Aries Mini to the North Star Designs Incanto DAC to the Rotel.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 7,981
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    Hmm...tempted to try it at this price!

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotel-RC1570-Stereo-PreAmp-Silver-BT-XLR-in-out-USB-Manufacturer-Refurbished/133286424715
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es; Squeezebox Touch with Bolder Power Supply
    Game Room 5.1.4:     Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra
    Bedroom 2.1    Cambridge Azur 551r; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,520
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    Do eet
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    edited January 2020
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    Nice to hear the comments about the Rotel. I have a RC1580, now dormant because I went down the tube pre rabbit hole. Purchased it as my first "real" pre-amp. I really like it as well. :smile:

    igo1uq00ska0.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,522
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    Not surprised.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
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    I began my Rotel journey with a RC1070 pre and a RB1070 amp. I had read the pre was worth the price for the phono pre alone. I enjoyed the pair which lead me to other Rotel purchases, which none have disappointed me.

    RB1090 pre
    RB1092 amp
    RB1091 amps
    RCC1055 changer
    RC1072 CDP
    RB1580 amp
    RC1580 pre
    RPC1040 conditioner
    [
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
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    My very first separate components were a Rotel RC-972 preamp and a Rotel 980 stereo power amp. The amp gave up the ghost shortly after I got it but the pre was in my setup for a while.
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • halo
    halo Posts: 5,616
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    verb wrote: »
    Nice to hear the comments about the Rotel. I have a RC1580, now dormant because I went down the tube pre rabbit hole. Purchased it as my first "real" pre-amp. I really like it as well. :smile:

    igo1uq00ska0.png

    You have a lot of very nice gear lying dormant at the moment my friend. If it were me, I'd be selling those to the good folks here on the forum so they can get some use and enjoyment. Not a criticism at all, just a humble suggestion :)
    Audio: Polk S15 * Polk S35 * Polk S10 * SVS SB-1000 Pro
    HT: Samsung QN90B * Marantz NR1510 * Panasonic DMP-BDT220 * Roku Ultra LT * APC H10
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  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,314
    edited January 2020
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    My only piece of Rotel gear was a RCD-1072 CD player. It was my first experience with a good source.

    Good to hear that they are still producing good quality, sounding gear.

    I've always liked their appearance, especially in Black.

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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,044
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    speaking of Rotel... just saw this link posted Someplace Else.
    https://www.whathifi.com/us/news/rotel-launches-three-new-high-end-michi-amplifiers

    b6jr5a8uaelg.png

    x7m3c5atljj6.png

    (offered strictly as-is and FWIW) :|

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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
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    Nice looking pieces! Looks like you have a customize-able display! Never knew they previously had the Michi line. Very nice. :smile:
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
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    halo wrote: »
    verb wrote: »
    Nice to hear the comments about the Rotel. I have a RC1580, now dormant because I went down the tube pre rabbit hole. Purchased it as my first "real" pre-amp. I really like it as well. :smile:

    igo1uq00ska0.png

    You have a lot of very nice gear lying dormant at the moment my friend. If it were me, I'd be selling those to the good folks here on the forum so they can get some use and enjoyment. Not a criticism at all, just a humble suggestion :)

    Yep! Gotta start clearing things out a bit! :smile: Oh yeah, almost forgot. Got this Cd spinner from @clipdat a while ago, now in the living room rig!
    maj5lyendbaj.png
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
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  • ZLTFUL
    ZLTFUL Posts: 5,640
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    I have been tempted in the past by some of the Michi components. There is a pre and amp on eBay that would go for around $1800 but the remote is missing.

    Kind of intrigued by the new Michi gear.
    "Some people find it easier to be conceited rather than correct."

    "Unwad those panties and have a good time man. We're all here to help each other, no matter how it might appear." DSkip
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  • Joey_V
    Joey_V Posts: 8,520
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    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    speaking of Rotel... just saw this link posted Someplace Else.
    https://www.whathifi.com/us/news/rotel-launches-three-new-high-end-michi-amplifiers

    b6jr5a8uaelg.png

    x7m3c5atljj6.png

    (offered strictly as-is and FWIW) :|

    Me likey
    Magico, JL, Emm, ARC Ref 10 line, ARC Ref 10 phono, VPI, Lyra, Boulder, AQ Wel, SRA Scuttle Rack, Bluesound
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
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    I heard this combo at my dealer, I wasn't specifically focused on this gear but I was in the room alone and this was playing through some Aerial 6Ts. It was quite impressive. A lot of power in the amp, that thing could rock!
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • geppy1
    geppy1 Posts: 3,071
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    I was always a fan of the 900 series RC 995 RB 990
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  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
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    Rotel stuff is awesome and works well with B&W as if its some type of group or Rotel Group.
    I was using a Rotel RA-1572 for awhile, currently using a McIntosh amp and Echo Link for Amazon HD.

    I have a ROTEL RC-1550 Pre-amp for sale and 4 Rotel RB-1070 Amps for sale. Already sold a Rotel RSP-1570 Preamp.

    See my eBay store if you want something Rotel: r4m-z3t
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 24,577
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    You've been here long enough, give us some links
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  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,017
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    Here you go... B)

    I'm pretty sure the names signify the same person.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rotel-RB-1070-Stereo-Power-Amplifier/303884118883?hash=item46c0e7ab63:g:iJEAAOSwZt1gLrfl

    fhulzd1emrzv.png
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
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