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Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp

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Posted on February 13, 2017 at 12:38:54
Braxus
Audiophile

Posts: 926
Location: Fraser Valley
Joined: February 11, 2006
 This amp has been out since late 2013, early 2014. It will probably be due for replacement in a year or so timeframe.

Anyone have any experience with this particular amp? I'm considering getting one, but on the fence about it. The stereo shop that sells these made the statement its an improvement upon the previous series of Rotels, saying (in stereo shop sales speak) that this model makes the old ones sound broken. They went on how well built these current models are.

Now whether any of that is true or just BS, I'm curious to consider getting one. I used to own the RB 970MkII and the RB 1070 amps. The 1070 was known to be a lesser sounding amp, with maybe some harsh high end and brittle sound. The 970 may have been a little better in that respect.

So is the sound quality of the 1582MkII any good? Is it better then their older models, or about the same? Or should I just hold out for this model's replacement which will probably come in 2018?

 

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RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 15:36:43
fstein
Audiophile

Posts: 2995
Location: fstein
Joined: May 18, 2006
 For what it's worth, I found half a dozen reviews by googling

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 16:01:44
Braxus
Audiophile

Posts: 926
Location: Fraser Valley
Joined: February 11, 2006
 I've read a few of them and didn't find them very useful for the questions I had. I need to know how this amp compares to the older models, and people who own this amp may have an idea on that one.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 17:33:34
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Did you listen too the amp?

If not and you are talking to a sales person I think that would be strange!

If you listened too the amp they your review is the most important. Rotel generally speaking makes fine gear. But it is taste specific. Give it a listen for yourself if possible.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 19:02:11
Braxus
Audiophile

Posts: 926
Location: Fraser Valley
Joined: February 11, 2006
 I work 6 days a week, and my one day off they are closed. Not only that, but the store is 60 miles away. So not a short drive. I find people who've had this amp for a while more useful to talk to then a 2 hour brief listening session. I know Rotel's sound, which is why I keep coming back to it. But their amps made in China in the past decade were not completely up to snuff compared to amps in the 90s. I'm just wondering if the current amps have changed that opinion, or if it is still relevant.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 19:59:56
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1482
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 The salesman is correct, its a great amp, go for it. I owned one for a while and it was well built and sounded excellent. I have owned many amps and it was one of the best. I had it in my HT system with the 1580 preamp which is also very good. I would have still be very happy with that setup, but I got a great deal on a McIntosh pre and power amp, that's not that much of a improvement at twice the price.

I bought it new at Best Buy Magnolia, I had never owned another Rotel amp before, so I couldn't give you that comparison.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 13, 2017 at 20:12:44
Braxus
Audiophile

Posts: 926
Location: Fraser Valley
Joined: February 11, 2006
 Thank you. Your comments were useful.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 14, 2017 at 08:14:54
miner42
Audiophile

Posts: 473
Location: Texas
Joined: April 28, 2007
 I had the original RB1582 and enjoyed it as my family room system. I did compare it to the MkII version and to my ears I could not hear much of a difference. I ended up trading my RC1550 and RB1582 towards a McIntosh MAC6700 receiver.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 14, 2017 at 09:13:18
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 It's a shot in the dark but over at the vintage forum I know a few of those guys have the older Rotels. Maybe they know about the newer ones as well????

I understand your situation so just DON'T rush. Do some more research.

What gear are you matching it to? And what needs are you using it for?

Are you using it for loud use or normal level and detail use.

Addendum: I've noticed from this thread that those that have had this amp don't seem to keep them. I do find that VERY strange considering if I found a good amp I would hold onto it.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 15, 2017 at 08:18:58
ABliss
Audiophile

Posts: 1482
Joined: March 16, 2001
Contributor
  Since: August 3, 2002
 I wouldn't say its the amp to retire with, but it's way better than a Nad.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 15, 2017 at 10:04:44
digepix
 I've been following your post and have to say as a YBA owner as well I prefer my Rotel RB 991 from the 90's over the newer stuff. I'm not a tech junkie but I will say what attracted me to YBA is that I could listen for a long time without fatigue and the same is true with the older Rotel amps.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 15, 2017 at 10:10:49
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 I owned the RB-1070 of maybe 125 or 135 per side into 8 and found it incapable of properly driving my panels.
In looking thru the specs prior to my selling it (owned for <6 months) I found NO mention of 4ohm power. Though Rotel did rate the amp for 'bridged' into 8 ohms.
Ideally, bridged power should represent 4 ohm per channel power but the 'bump' from 8 ohm was minimal. I think bridged power was 330 watts?

Sorry, not for me.

Had I bought the upline RB-1090 with lots more power? Maybe that was the keeper?
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 15, 2017 at 11:55:15
digepix
 I think you needed to go back a generation to the 991 series to get a 4 ohm rating.It wasn't significant a 200 watt/8 ohm to 300 watt/4 ohms it had something. Besides my Vandersteens were happy with a 40 watt tube amp if tubes were your thing so a 4 ohm rating hardly mattered.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on February 15, 2017 at 12:45:53
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Yes, I clearly bought the wrong amp for my easy load, BUT very low sensitivity and 4ohm panels.

With something over 87 or 88db? And a reasonable 8ohm with moderate phase? The '1070 probably would have been OK.
Too much is never enough

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on March 5, 2017 at 09:59:15
Braxus
Audiophile

Posts: 926
Location: Fraser Valley
Joined: February 11, 2006
 I ended up getting the amp, as I found a good deal on it used. It been used for less then a year. Sounds fine to me, though the speakers its used with are not in the best position for listening at this time.

I don't dislike the Rotel sound, as every amp I've listened to of theirs, had something I liked about them. I just wanted to know if this amp improved upon the earlier series which had a few shortcomings.

This amp is retailed at $1699 Canadian plus taxes. I got mine for $1050 plus shipping.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on June 4, 2017 at 07:08:38
Industrial
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Joined: March 20, 2010
 Just saw this thread. I have a pre/pro and multichannel rotel that I would put up against any big box store gear in my area (In Canada too). Since moved on to a Simaudio/McIntosh combo. Its around 8-9 years old now and never ever given me a problem as its still being used in Surround sound use.

 

RE: Rotel RB-1582MKII Amp, posted on June 9, 2017 at 05:09:25
Disbeliever
Audiophile

Posts: 1877
Joined: June 1, 2012
 Problem I found with the Rotel 1582 Mk2 is that the input sensitivity is far too high almost twice that of other amps. I could not use it and sold it. SQ is OK

 

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