Rotel RA-1572MKII
The Rotel RA-1572MKII blends smooth, spacious imaging with the authority of 120Wpc Class AB power, delivering taut bass, expressive dynamics and an invitingly refined midrange. Its high-resolution MQA DAC, MM phono stage, balanced inputs and dual sub outputs make it a remarkably complete hub. Roger Kanno found its combination of drive, subtlety and value especially persuasive.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
90/100
Build Quality
88/100
Features Connectivity
95/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Smooth yet detailed presentation with precise imaging, convincing vocal presence and well-defined bass.
Powerful, controlled 120Wpc output drives demanding speakers confidently while retaining dynamic expression.
Exceptionally flexible connectivity, including balanced XLR, MM phono, MQA-capable USB DAC, Bluetooth, pre-outs and dual subwoofer outputs.
Cons
Some recordings can reveal extra sibilance or lower-treble energy, so careful speaker matching benefits treble-sensitive listeners.
It lacks built-in streaming, room correction and bass management offered by some similarly priced rivals.
The digital volume control offers limited tactile feedback and no physical minimum or maximum reference points.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 90/100
Reviews describe a clear, controlled and fundamentally neutral presentation, tempered with a touch of midrange warmth and smoothness. It combines strong drive and articulate bass with a spacious, precisely organized stereo image, although a few comments note some treble sibilance or a slightly restrained character.
Transparency Resolution
92/100
Ron Nagle found the amplifier exceptionally clear, able to separate difficult vocal harmonies, and praised its detailed phono stage. Zero Fidelity likewise heard abundant detail, a clean presentation and improved retrieval of subtle information via the balanced inputs.
Tonal Balance Musicality
89/100
SoundStage Solo heard a principally neutral balance with a touch of warmth that made midrange and highs smooth, sweet and pleasing. Zero Fidelity characterized it as balanced, slightly reserved and dark overall with added lower-treble energy, while SoundStage Solo noted occasional distracting sibilance on one recording.
Dynamics
89/100
The 120Wpc output had no trouble driving PSB floorstanders, and SoundStage Solo found enough weight and punch to make dynamic music convincing through the headphone output as well. Zero Fidelity considers its real-world output ample for most systems, particularly in larger rooms, but says it does not mimic the scale of a much larger amplifier.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
SoundStage Solo praised precise placement, presence and realism, with more focused bass accompanying more precise side-to-side imaging. Ron Nagle heard recordings expand naturally to fill the space between the speakers, though SoundStage Solo found the Rotel's DAC could slightly reduce soundstage size versus the Oppo player's internal converter.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
SoundStage Solo calls the RA-1572MKII robustly built, while Zero Fidelity found its metal front panel and overall construction solid and well made. The substantial 30-pound aluminum-cased chassis supports that impression, although reviewers generally describe its styling as utilitarian rather than luxurious.
Features Connectivity
95/100
This is a notably versatile amplifier-DAC, with balanced inputs, variable pre-out, dual subwoofer outputs, MM phono, headphone output, Bluetooth, computer USB, digital inputs and a TI DAC supporting MQA. It is Roon Tested and straightforward to operate, though the digital volume control drew criticism from Ron Nagle for its limited tactile feedback and lack of physical reference points.
Value for Money
94/100
At $2,099, SoundStage Solo called it one of the best current combinations of price and performance among integrated amplifier-DACs. The same reviewer found it the least expensive integrated he had heard that could drive MartinLogan Classic ESL 9s adequately while retaining musical complexity and subtlety; Positive Feedback also found it impossible not to recommend at its price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
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Specifications
- Dimensions (W × H × D)
- 431 × 144 × 358 mm 17" × 5.7" × 14.1"
- Front Panel Height
- 3U / 132.6 mm (5.25")
- Power Requirements
- 120 V, 60 Hz
- Power Consumption
- 400 W
- Standby Power Consumption
- <0.5 W
- Net Weight
- 13.63 kg (30.05 lbs.)
- BTU Rating
- 810 BTU/h
- Power Output
- 135 W/Ch (4 Ω)
- Maximum Power Output
- 200 W/Ch (4 Ω)
- Continuous Power Output
- 120 W/Ch (8 Ω)
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- <0.018%
- Frequency Response
- Line Level Inputs: 10 Hz - 100k Hz, ±0.5 dB Digital Inputs: 10 Hz - 90k Hz, ±2 dB Phono Input: 20 Hz - 20k Hz, ±0.5 dB
- S/N Ratio
- Line Level Inputs: 100 dB Digital Inputs: 100 dB Phono Input: 80 dB
- Intermodulation Distortion
- <0.03%
- Damping Factor
- 300
- Input Sensitivity
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 270mV Line Level Inputs (XLR): 440mV Digital Inputs: 0 dBFs Phono Input (MM): 2.1mV
- Input Impedance
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 100kΩ Line Level Inputs (XLR): 100kΩ Digital Inputs: 75Ω Phono Input (MM): 47kΩ
- Input Overload
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 4V Line Level Inputs (XLR): 5.5V Phono Input: 32mV
- Preout Level
- 1.5V
- Output Impedance
- 470Ω
- Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals
- LPCM (Up to 24-bit/192kHz)
- PC-USB
- USB Audio Class 1 (up to 24-bit/192kHz) USB Audio Class 2 (up to 32-bit/384kHz)*
Manufacturer's Description — Rotel
The RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier brings your music to life with exceptional fidelity delivering 120 Watts of Class AB output into 8 ohms with deep, controlled bass energy. The audiophile grade DAC, analog, digital, aptXTM and AAC Bluetooth, PC-USB supporting MQA and Moving Magnet Phono stage ensure exceptional detail and immersive soundstage.
The RA-1572MKII Integrated Amplifier is an essential component for music lovers leveraging the best of Rotel’s analog and digital technologies bringing music to life with exceptional fidelity. The role of an integrated amplifier continues to evolve with the RA-1572MKII optimized in every aspect including the power amplifier delivering 120 Watts of robust Class AB output into 8 ohms, audio circuit design innovations, premium audiophile Digital to Analog Converter and a full complement of source inputs.
As typical of Rotel amplifiers, the RA-1572MKII utilizes an in-house manufactured oversized toroidal transformer. The toroidal transformer’s shape helps prevent stray radiation patterns from corrupting audio signals as they pass through adjacent circuits. The transformer feeds a bank of 4 low ESR, high efficiency, T-Network slit-foil storage capacitors for deep, controlled bass energy.
The RA-1572MKII support digital sources utilizing a Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz DAC with critically tuned output filter circuits rendering even the most subtle detail. The preamplifier circuits and linear amplifier gain stages have been custom engineered ensuring natural detail, agility and an immersive soundstage. Analog, digital, PC-USB supporting MQA, aptX™ and AAC wireless Bluetooth streaming, XLR Balanced and Moving Magnet Phono stage inputs ensures connection to your favorite sources.
The RA-1572MKII is certified Roon Tested delivering the best experience using Roon software so you can just enjoy the music.
The front panel includes a status display, source and volume controls, Speaker A-B selection for Zone 2, and 3.5mm headphone jack. Ethernet and RS232 connections allow seamless integration with control systems and software updates.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Rotel RA-1572MKII
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- All Elite Audio — online and in-store — Perry Hall, Maryland, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
and 199 more verified dealers