Rotel RC-1590MKII
The RC-1590MKII delivers an expansive three-dimensional soundstage, inky silence and tight, dynamic bass, while keeping detail smooth enough for long sessions. Home Theater Review found its imaging unusually precise and its presentation energetic yet unforced; generous analogue, digital, phono and balanced connections make this a seriously versatile control centre.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
92/100
Build Quality
87/100
Features Connectivity
89/100
Value for Money
92/100
Pros
Expansive, deep soundstage with precise image placement and strong low-volume spatial stability.
Detailed but smooth, non-fatiguing presentation with an exceptionally low noise floor.
Deep bass remains tight, controlled and dynamically convincing.
Extensive connectivity, including balanced and RCA connections, phono, Bluetooth, USB, multiple digital inputs and dual pre-outs.
Cons
No DSD or DoP decoding; listeners with DSD libraries need an external DAC.
No HDMI eARC input or onboard subwoofer bass management.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 92/100
Reviewers describe a clean, low-noise and highly involving presentation, combining strong detail retrieval with a smooth, non-fatiguing character. The RC-1590MKII also earns particular praise for controlled bass, energized delivery and a notably expansive, three-dimensional soundstage.
Transparency Resolution
93/100
Home Theater Review found that the Rotel revealed all available recording detail without becoming analytical or fatiguing. Its inky-black silences and ability to retain musical detail and spatial integrity at low levels point to an exceptionally quiet, resolving presentation.
Tonal Balance Musicality
91/100
The sound is described as smooth, clean and easy to enjoy for extended listening, rather than starkly analytical. Home Theater Review also noted an extra energy that made playback more engaging, while Gramophone characterized the signature as “squeaky clean.”
Dynamics
92/100
The Rotel brought a palpable extra energy to music playback, encouraging closer listening. Bass dynamics were singled out as exceptional, with deep synthesized bass remaining tight and controlled.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Home Theater Review heard an expansive, deep soundstage with accurately placed instruments and vocals, plus ample air around images. On strong recordings, sounds extended well beyond and behind the speakers, creating an unusually convincing three-dimensional presentation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
87/100
Gramophone highlights the use of separate toroidal transformers for the analog and digital sections, an arrangement intended to isolate their power supplies. The review describes a beefier design than lesser Rotel preamps, though there is limited commentary on long-term durability or finish quality.
Features Connectivity
89/100
The RC-1590MKII is comprehensively equipped with RCA and XLR analogue inputs, multiple optical and coaxial digital inputs, USB audio, RCA and XLR pre-outs, phono input and Bluetooth. Roon Tested certification adds useful network-library compatibility, while the two pre-output formats provide flexible system matching.
Value for Money
92/100
At the reviewed price of $2,099, Home Theater Review calls the RC-1590MKII a tremendous value, citing its robust feature set for stereo preamplifier/DAC buyers. Its broad connectivity, phono provision and strong reported sonic performance make it a particularly well-rounded option among similarly priced control preamps.
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 × 348mm 17" × 5.7" × 13.9"
- Front Panel Height
- 3U / 132.6mm (5.25")
- Power Requirements
- 120V, 60Hz
- Power Consumption
- 45W
- Standby Power Consumption
- <0.5W
- Net Weight
- 10.1kg (22.27bs.)
- BTU Rating
- 78 BTU/h
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)
- (20Hz–20kHz) <0.002%
- Frequency Response
- Line Level Inputs: 10Hz - 100kHz (+0dB, +0.1dB) Digital Inputs: 20Hz - 20kHz (0±0.5dB, Max) Phono Input: 20Hz - 20kHz (+0.3dB, -0.2dB)
- S/N Ratio (IHF "A" Weighted)
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 117dB Line Level Inputs (XLR): 115dB Digital Inputs: 108dB Phono Input: 80dB
- Intermodulation Distortion
- (60Hz:7kHz, 4:1) <0.002%
- Input Sensitivity
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): 150mV Line Level Inputs (XLR): 250mV Digital Inputs: 0dBFs Phono Input (MM): 2.5mV
- 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: 64mV
- Output Level
- Unbalanced (RCA): 1V Balanced (XLR): 2V
- Channel Separation
- Line Level Inputs (RCA): >85dB Line Level Inputs (XLR): >75dB Phono Input: >85dB
- Tone Controls
- ±10dB at 100Hz / 10kHz
- Preout Level
- 1.65 V (at - 20 dB)
- Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals
- LPCM (Up to 24-bit/192kHz)
- PC-USB
- USB Audio Class 1 (up to 24-bit/96kHz) USB Audio Class 2 (up to 32-bit/384kHz) *Driver installation required MQA and MQA Studio (up to 24-bit/384kHz ) Roon Tested
Manufacturer's Description — Rotel
Reference audio systems deserve reference audio equipment. Rotel’s RC-1590MKII reference preamplifier renders audio with natural expression, an open sound stage and dynamic clarity. Analog, Digital, Bluetooth and Turntable sources are supported by a bespoke acoustic tuning process inviting you to bring your favorite music allowing the RC-1590MKII to immerse you.
Reference audio systems deserve reference audio equipment. The Rotel RC-1590MKII is exactly that -- a reference preamplifier rendering analog and digital sources with natural expression in a wide and open sound stage in stunning clarity.
The heart of the RC-1590MKII begins with the power supply featuring dual in-house manufacture toroidal transformers. The transformers are physically and electrically isolated supplying dedicated analog and digital supply voltages to all critical circuits through low ESR slit-foil capacitors eliminating unwanted distortion and an extremely low noise floor.
Digital source inputs are processed utilizing an audiophile grade Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz Digital to Audio Converter (DAC) with custom engineered, proprietary acoustically tuned external output filter circuits rendering even the finest details with exceptional clarity and exact positioning.
Analog signal paths feature DIRECT-PATH bypass modes eliminating unnecessary circuits maintaining signal integrity and further eliminating unwanted noise and distortion drawing you even closer and immersing you in the music.
The RC-1590MKII supports a full array of inputs ensuring connection to your favorite sources including a Moving Magnet Phono input for vinyl lovers, Analog, Digital, XLR Balanced, high quality aptXTM and AAC wireless Bluetooth, and PC-USB (32-bit/384kHz) supporting MQA unfolding and rendering as well as certified Roon Tested
Dual RCA and XLR output connection provide the ultimate flexibility including bi-amplification installations. A subwoofer output is also included.
The RC-1590MKII proudly continues Rotel’s 60-year legacy and heritage with our ongoing promises of performance, value, and unwavering commitment to quality. Authentic, engaging, and spacious – the RC-1590MKII proudly represents this iconic brand.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Rotel RC-1590MKII
- 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