A taste of the new Rotel 15 Series

[shadow 8]

I wonder how the silver on the new 15s matches with the silver on the 10s.

[TommyV]

I wonder how the silver on the new 15s matches with the silver on the 10s.

It is a great question that I am sure quite a few current Rotel owners are wondering who are looking at upgrading to the new processor but wanting to hang onto their current amp.

From the pictures and description, the new silver looks like a more brushed finish than the current lineup's matte silver with black. I think that new processor would look good above one of Rotel's current amps but we will have to wait and see.

[TommyV]

I am wondering if the new RSX-1550 has a new amp section at all compared to the current 1057/1058. The one pdf says 5x100w and the brochure pdf says 5x75w and 100w/ch with 2 channels driven

[Alaric]

Note that the RMB-1575 is 5x250 wpc at 4 ohms??? What does that translate to at 8 ohms, 100 wpc?

I would guess 125 wpc , at minimum. Best case scenario for wpc is multiply the 8 ohm output x 2 for 4 ohms. That indicates a stout power supply. Rotel is generally pretty fair at producing high-current amps. My $.02

[EAmin]

FINALLY! Good job Rotel. Hopefully we'll see a Blu-Ray DVD player soon. Those going to CEDIA...please keep us posted.

[HiRez]

Is that all?
I do not see an LCD screen on the RSP-1570.
Does it have dual HDMI outputs (not necessarily simultaneous but switchable) ?
What about DVD-A and SACD over HDMI (not necessarily DSD, but full range PCM would do) ?
I guess what I am trying to say is I was hoping for an improvement over the RSP-1098.
Regards

[hifiguymi]

Is that all?
I do not see an LCD screen on the RSP-1570.
Does it have dual HDMI outputs (not necessarily simultaneous but switchable) ?
What about DVD-A and SACD over HDMI (not necessarily DSD, but full range PCM would do) ?
I guess what I am trying to say is I was hoping for an improvement over the RSP-1098.
Regards

The RSP-1570 is more the replacement for the RSP-1068 / RSP-1069 so it wouldn't have the LCD screen on it. Also, it doesn't have dual HDMI outputs but it does support DVD-A and full range PCM (just like the RSP-1069). It does not do DSD direct so you would have to have a player that would convert the DSD to PCM.

As for a replacement for the RSP-1098 goes, Rotel hasn't announced all of the 15 Series yet. There are more coming. I don't know for sure if there will be a replacement for the RSP-1098 but my guess is there will. Rotel told us in a dealer letter that the stereo components in the 15 Series will be available in the first quarter of 2009. There are no specifics as of yet but they may show them at CES and hopefully the replacement for the RSP-1098 will happen them.

[Dmantis]

The RSP-1570 is more the replacement for the RSP-1068 / RSP-1069 so it wouldn't have the LCD screen on it. Also, it doesn't have dual HDMI outputs but it does support DVD-A and full range PCM (just like the RSP-1069). It does not do DSD direct so you would have to have a player that would convert the DSD to PCM.

As for a replacement for the RSP-1098 goes, Rotel hasn't announced all of the 15 Series yet. There are more coming. I don't know for sure if there will be a replacement for the RSP-1098 but my guess is there will. Rotel told us in a dealer letter that the stereo components in the 15 Series will be available in the first quarter of 2009. There are no specifics as of yet but they may show them at CES and hopefully the replacement for the RSP-1098 will happen them.

I don't mean to be negitive but I'm already starting to feel let down. My chin is up but guarded. I really want a new preamp.

DSD is not huge important but it would be very nice over HDMI and decoded in the Processor. HD DVD support over HDMI is very nice.

What about setup mic's and Ipod control?

[hifiguymi]

I don't mean to be negitive but I'm already starting to feel let down. My chin is up but guarded. I really want a new preamp.

DSD is not huge important but it would be very nice over HDMI and decoded in the Processor. HD DVD support over HDMI is very nice.

What about setup mic's and Ipod control?

I doesn't matter if a player or the preamp does DSD to PCM conversion. It's the same either way.

I don't think you will see a mic set up on a Rotel preamp for a long time, if ever, at the price point that the RSP-1069/RSP-1570 is. Rotel would rather put the money towards better quality components. As far as the iPod control, who knows if they will. With all of the good iPod docks out there (like the Denon) is it really needed?

Eric

[Dmantis]

I doesn't matter if a player or the preamp does DSD to PCM conversion. It's the same either way.

I don't think you will see a mic set up on a Rotel preamp for a long time, if ever, at the price point that the RSP-1069/RSP-1570 is. Rotel would rather put the money towards better quality components. As far as the iPod control, who knows if they will. With all of the good iPod docks out there (like the Denon) is it really needed?

Eric

As far as the set up mic, ok I don't need it , I can tune a room and speaker placement to suite my needs. The Ipod dock would be very cool but again I think I can just use a DLO or something like that. I can get around that as well but they both would be very nice.

I'm however pleased to see Porcessing where it belongs. Remember my friend not all players/ sources can decode internally so Processing is nessary.

Think about this and I know it's old hat now but the Xbox360 running HD DVD needs I believe decoding on the preamp side does it not? I still use mine but never heard the High res audio out of it. It's wierd for DVD as well as it gets stuck in whatever you put the Digital output 2. If it's in DD then it doesn't matter if you send a DTS signal, the preamp still thinks it's DD. Wierd but it's how it works. Cable and DSS are going to have DD plus and HD sooner then later and I would not expect internal processing I'd expect it in the preamp so this in my opnion is very nessary.
Blu ray servers are in the works and who knows if they will have internal Processing.

Dan

[hifiguymi]

I really don't know anything about the HD-DVD add on for the Xbox360 so I don't know if it does any decoding on board. I don't know if it does bitstreaming of any advanced audio codecs either. Since the RSP-1570 does all of that on board, you should be covered now and in the future.

I don't know if and cable or satellite provider will have anything beyond Dolby Digital. Time will tell. I would put my money on not since nothing beyond that is part of the HDTV format that I'm aware of. It will also chew up bandwidth so I don't see it happening anytime soon. I may be wrong but time will tell.

As far as BD servers that is a time will tell as well. Since all BD players have to have internal decoders for at least DD and dts (the basic "legacy" versions) you would think they will. (That is if they are able to legally rip and store BDs which no one is allowed to do at this point.) All Profile 1.1, and Profile 2.0, are required to have internal decoding for PIP. If you turn that on, the decoding happens in the player no matter what. I have heard systems that sound better with the decoding done in the player instead of the receiver (I haven't heard a separate preamp that does internal decoding yet). The decoding belongs where ever it's going to be done the best in my opinion and that may very well be in the player in some cases.

I am a little confused by this part of your post.

It's wierd for DVD as well as it gets stuck in whatever you put the Digital output 2. If it's in DD then it doesn't matter if you send a DTS signal, the preamp still thinks it's DD. Wierd but it's how it works.

Every DVD has to have a Dolby Digital track, even if it has dts. It doesn't have to be DD 5.1 but it's there. Maybe the Xbox360 only outputs the Dolby track no matter what you select in the menu. Again I don't have any experience with it so maybe someone else could help there.

Eric

[avrtRick]

Excellent, Im ready to BUY the RSP1570(even though Ive only had my 1069 for 11 weeks).

Might have to spring for the new amps as well,or the RB1091's

[NautilusPastor]

How must power does 1550 have?

Brochure for 15 series:
http://www.nicollpr.com/ROTEL/Files/...s_Brochure.pdf

In the news release they say that the 1550 has 100 x 5 but when you look at the specs in the back of the brochure above it says 75 x 5? Does anyone know which it is?

[Kevin D]

In the news release they say that the 1550 has 100 x 5 but when you look at the specs in the back of the brochure above it says 75 x 5? Does anyone know which it is?

These are essentially replacements for the 10 series, so I would imagine thet they are mostly the same specs. So expect 100x2 on the 1550 when in stereo mode, 75x5 when in multi-channel.

The only special piece is the 1560, as it has switched to class D amps.

Kevin D.

[GillianSeed]

I waited so long, for this Series. Last month i bought my NAD equipment. My dealer knows, i gonna exchange NAD for Rotel.
BUT as I see, thers still no Autocalibration available on the 1570.
I realy love my NAD Pro T175 for his Audyssey function.
It is a big improvement to all aspects audio wise (and i do have a perfect placement for my 5.2 Speaker system) and im not sure, if i can leave this behind me.

[NautilusPastor]

?

These are essentially replacements for the 10 series, so I would imagine thet they are mostly the same specs. So expect 100x2 on the 1550 when in stereo mode, 75x5 when in multi-channel.

The only special piece is the 1560, as it has switched to class D amps.

Kevin D.

I figured that this would be just a replacement but in Rotel's press release and also in the brochure on one page it is advertised as 5 x 100 or is this just a marketing ploy when there are 5 channels and it does have 100 watts but the 100 watts is only for 2 channel use. Not real happy with Rotel if this is the case.

[shadow 8]

I figured that this would be just a replacement but in Rotel's press release and also in the brochure on one page it is advertised as 5 x 100 or is this just a marketing ploy when there are 5 channels and it does have 100 watts but the 100 watts is only for 2 channel use. Not real happy with Rotel if this is the case.

You must not be very familiar with Rotel to make this kind of remark. Rotel has NEVER puffed out their power specs. If any thing, they are almost always very conservative. This is even more likely with the digital amps since they typically double down from 8 to 4 ohms.

[pbarata]

Replacing my current RCD-1070/RSP-1066/RMB-1075 with new 15 series, will make a nice match with my Krell KAV-400xi.

Are the similarities pure coincidence? :W

[Kevin D]

I figured that this would be just a replacement but in Rotel's press release and also in the brochure on one page it is advertised as 5 x 100 or is this just a marketing ploy when there are 5 channels and it does have 100 watts but the 100 watts is only for 2 channel use. Not real happy with Rotel if this is the case.

Keep in mind that nothing is released yet, and that Rotel Japan designs the pieces and everything released about them has been from Rotel NA.

It might be 5x100, 5x75, unknown yet. Let's wait until product is released before complaining or questioning anything.

Kevin D.

[NautilusPastor]

You must not be very familiar with Rotel to make this kind of remark. Rotel has NEVER puffed out their power specs. If any thing, they are almost always very conservative. This is even more likely with the digital amps since they typically double down from 8 to 4 ohms.

I actually have some rotel products (rdv-193, rsp-1098, rb-1092) and they are great products but I do wonder if in the same catelog they advertise one thing and then the specs say another. I actually like to check my products out before buying them and just want to make sure what it really is. Just because I respect Rotel I don't just take everything hook line and sinker.

[mjb]

.... but I do wonder if in the same catelog they advertise one thing and then the specs say another. I actually like to check my products out before buying them and just want to make sure what it really is.

People need to slow down here.

There are a couple of *pre* pre-release snippets floating around, some mis-quoted articles, and people are getting all excited that Rotel are lying about their specs.

Can't we just wait with our speculation until Rotel makes things official, and releases the final spec's/product briefs?

[style]

Hallo mjb,

I agree 100% with you....

But if Rotel have the new version full changed (in the look and performance --> to check!) wants to say something does not go very well!!
(I think at $$$$, Marantz is no more in B&W Group,...)

We can only wait for an official communication from Rotel to know how are things!

False news or half real find on all newspapers.....

greetings Omar

[sirbogey]

I dig the new look, but will stick to my Rotels for the next couple of years... Can't afford to upgrade every 2 years...

[WI Rotel]

Internal decoding

:M :M :M :M :M :M
Bougtht 1069 to enjoy 7.1! Then bought sony BLUERAY promising DTS HD (big lie doesn't decode DTS MA :M :M :M ) Now a few mths later Rotel offers decoding on board!!!! :M :M :M
Getting pissy here!

[gd]

Welcome to the world of consumer electronics.

Ever buy a computer?... blame those guys – it is their exact planned-obsolescence-protect-their-proprietary-designs business plan that CE has followed right out the window.

And it won't stop anytime soon... even as we speak, new technologies for flat-screen TVs are poised to render plasma and LCD obsolete... it's a sure bet that there will be some element of that tech that will affect the audio side, and you'll be compelled to buy all over again.

The secret that most people don't seem to know is - - - you don't have to upgrade every cycle... it's actually OK to sit there with AV gear that's a couple generations old.

Really!

[hifiguymi]

:M :M :M :M :M :M
Bougtht 1069 to enjoy 7.1! Then bought sony BLUERAY promising DTS HD (big lie doesn't decode DTS MA :M :M :M ) Now a few mths later Rotel offers decoding on board!!!! :M :M :M
Getting pissy here!

I don't want this to get into a long discussion about dtsHD MA but with your player, (I'm assuming you still have the BDP-S2000ES) it doesn't bitstream or decode dtsHD MA so the RSP-1570 wouldn't get you any farther than you are now.

Eric

[SoundEngine355]

I wonder if they will be out in Hong Kong by October as I'm heading over there and would be sweet to pickup the new range!

[kmcheng]

I seriously do not think it will be out by October anywhere. A Rotel rep told me they are expecting to deliver in mid-October in North America. If they have a mock-up, but non-functional, unit for display at CEDIA, chances are that the series are not even in production yet. We all know how the Classe SSP800 has been delayed again and again. Emotiva's UMC-1 is another example of massive delays. I will be surprised if Rotel does not face similar difficulties in manufacturing.

[hifiguymi]

I seriously do not think it will be out by October anywhere. A Rotel rep told me they are expecting to deliver in mid-October in North America. If they have a mock-up, but non-functional, unit for display at CEDIA, chances are that the series are not even in production yet. We all know how the Classe SSP800 has been delayed again and again. Emotiva's UMC-1 is another example of massive delays. I will be surprised if Rotel does not face similar difficulties in manufacturing.

The 15 Series that are being shown at CEDIA are in production now. The ship date is not fixed yet, I suspect, because of existing 10 Series inventory. There are some 10 Series pieces that Rotel has run out of already so it's just a matter of time before they all disappear and the 15 Series starts shipping.

The Classe SSP-800 is now shipping by the way.

Eric

[jdc115]

I wonder if they will be out in Hong Kong by October as I'm heading over there and would be sweet to pickup the new range!

From what I have seen so far, Asia usually gets these type of products later then the US (not counting Japanese companies releasing in Japan). I'm pretty sure the Rotel 1069 was delayed in Singapore, I know the NAD T175 was out in US for 3 to 4 months before they sold it here.

[BasementJax]

Just curious; have they confirmed which ICEPower modules (assuming these are also ICEPower based) they'll be using for the new class D amps?

[Blindamood]

Here's another link to some good pics of the new series:

Rotel Unveils New Flagship 15 Series

There is a link to the slideshow within the article.

[Nolan B]

purple light :nonod:

[WI Rotel]

I don't want this to get into a long discussion about dtsHD MA but with your player, (I'm assuming you still have the BDP-S2000ES) it doesn't bitstream or decode dtsHD MA so the RSP-1570 wouldn't get you any farther than you are now.

Eric

Correct! :M :M :M

[imbeaujp]

I proud of the old-style facing, as opposed to the futuristic shiny toaster :B. Honestly, the new 15s don't look that bad, but I'm pretty content with my RSP-1069. Plus it matches with my 10 series RMB.

Totally agree !

The old series looks better !!!!!!!!!

[Mikael]

I just found this picture of the series.

[Kevin D]

Interesting that the whole case is silver. Might be too much, but should look good in my rack..

Kevin D.

[gianni]

The more I see of the 15's, the more determined I am to get more 10 series while it is still available.

[gianni]

Rather than continue to whine about the new styling which I feel is a step backwards, I decided to share my opinion with Rotel marketing. If any of you feel the same way, I encourage you to do the same via the marketing link on the Rotel website under the contact tab. Not that they can do anything about it at this point.

I also passed along what I thought of the new offerings and pricing. Those products that are basically carryovers from the 10 series have gone up in price with some gaps in the offerings. Granted, there may be more to come but no a/v Receiver under 2 grand? This should be a cornerstone of the line. Perhaps they are trying to go up market but they must remember that in this business there are many alternatives.

Nuff said now that I have tortured you people with my venting.

[Nolan B]

Rather than continue to whine about the new styling which I feel is a step backwards, I decided to share my opinion with Rotel marketing. If any of you feel the same way, I encourage you to do the same via the marketing link on the Rotel website under the contact tab. Not that they can do anything about it at this point.

I also passed along what I thought of the new offerings and pricing. Those products that are basically carryovers from the 10 series have gone up in price with some gaps in the offerings. Granted, there may be more to come but no a/v Receiver under 2 grand? This should be a cornerstone of the line. Perhaps they are trying to go up market but they must remember that in this business there are many alternatives.

Nuff said now that I have tortured you people with my venting.

I agree about the look...no question in my mind the current models look better.

In regards to price only time will tell if the sound quality has improved in relation to price. I think its a bit early to speculate on whether they are just carryovers. One thing I know is that they need to do a lot more then add internal decoding of the new formats to make it actually sound better.

[Kevin D]

I'm pretty sure they had no real choice but to go up in price. Being as small of a company as they are, they have few choices when it comes to the new technology:

1) Reduce cost/quality and sell more (never a good idea)
2) Keep the same price and sell a lot more (marketing issues, production issues, distribution issues..)
3) Increase the cost. (Either on the receiver's/pre-amp or others)
4) Not offer them (yeah right)

Since the receiver/pre-amp is the same price as the old models (1058/1069), they have to pay for the new licenses some how. So amps go up, players go up (I'm sure they'll have to pay for a Blu-Ray license soon too), etc..

Everyone want iPod docks, XM ports, Sirius ports, Audyssey EQ... Those require licenses as well. How far do you want the price to go up?

Considering everything they have had to add in the last year, I think the new prices are not out of line.

As far as the looks, I doubt anything could touch the look of the 10 series. I'm sure I'll adjust though. I wonder if the polished pieces on the sides are easily removed.. Maybe paint them a matte black to match a little better? Still not sure how close the silver will be. Can I get a new face for my RLC-1080? (it does pop off)

Kevin D.

[mattburk]

I think the all black version might be the way to go on the new series. I do not like the all silver look.

[Dmantis]

I'm pretty sure they had no real choice but to go up in price. Being as small of a company as they are, they have few choices when it comes to the new technology:

1) Reduce cost/quality and sell more (never a good idea)
2) Keep the same price and sell a lot more (marketing issues, production issues, distribution issues..)
3) Increase the cost. (Either on the receiver's/pre-amp or others)
4) Not offer them (yeah right)

Since the receiver/pre-amp is the same price as the old models (1058/1069), they have to pay for the new licenses some how. So amps go up, players go up (I'm sure they'll have to pay for a Blu-Ray license soon too), etc..

Everyone want iPod docks, XM ports, Sirius ports, Audyssey EQ... Those require licenses as well. How far do you want the price to go up?

Considering everything they have had to add in the last year, I think the new prices are not out of line.

As far as the looks, I doubt anything could touch the look of the 10 series. I'm sure I'll adjust though. I wonder if the polished pieces on the sides are easily removed.. Maybe paint them a matte black to match a little better? Still not sure how close the silver will be. Can I get a new face for my RLC-1080? (it does pop off)

Kevin D.

I don't get why anyone would complain about Rotel Pricing. They offer such a good product at there price points. Go find something better for the same or less, you can't.

As far as looks go, I think they look just fine. I like the Krell type look. It's modern and clean. I really don't care much anymore about how the gear looks, I'm completely how it works/sounds.

Ipod Xm etc yes man add it all and I would pay. Every Audio video receiver made now has at least one or all features. It just would be very nice to have a preamp with the same abilities of a Pioneer Elite receiver or a Denon. They have so much to offer.

But all in all I'm happy that Rotel finally added processing where it belongs, in the processor.

Dan

[Nolan B]

I'm pretty sure they had no real choice but to go up in price. Being as small of a company as they are, they have few choices when it comes to the new technology:

1) Reduce cost/quality and sell more (never a good idea)
2) Keep the same price and sell a lot more (marketing issues, production issues, distribution issues..)
3) Increase the cost. (Either on the receiver's/pre-amp or others)
4) Not offer them (yeah right)

Since the receiver/pre-amp is the same price as the old models (1058/1069), they have to pay for the new licenses some how. So amps go up, players go up (I'm sure they'll have to pay for a Blu-Ray license soon too), etc..

Everyone want iPod docks, XM ports, Sirius ports, Audyssey EQ... Those require licenses as well. How far do you want the price to go up?

Considering everything they have had to add in the last year, I think the new prices are not out of line.

As far as the looks, I doubt anything could touch the look of the 10 series. I'm sure I'll adjust though. I wonder if the polished pieces on the sides are easily removed.. Maybe paint them a matte black to match a little better? Still not sure how close the silver will be. Can I get a new face for my RLC-1080? (it does pop off)

Kevin D.

The RLCs are a good question...where is the new version of those or new version of the RCD 1072?

If, in fact, there are new licenses because the products offer new features then a price increase is warranted.

I don't really understand why they need to make a new idendity with the way the products look. Something as simple as replacing the OSD of the 10 series with an oled or LCD would have been enough IMO.

Personally what would have been great and foward thinking in terms of appearance is offer multiple choices of aluminum face places. i.e. red, blue, the orginal, black, something similar to what B&O does. Thats something I would pay extra for!

Im currious to know what % of thier sales are exisiting customers upgrading vs brand new customers. I think changing the total look may stop people from upgrading one piece in their rack. I dont think people would consider changing evrything in thier rack just because they need a new processor. I know I wouldnt even consider the new processor since my RMB 1077 or RLC 1040 wouldnt match. No way I would upgrade the other pieces JUST to match. If/when I would change everything it would further open me up to consider other brands. Luckly for the B&W group I am thinking Classe, but many would consider other brands.

Bottom line for me is the introdution of this new line and look makes me less likely to upgrade within the Rotel family.

[hifiguymi]

The RLCs are a good question...where is the new version of those or new version of the RCD 1072?

I'm not sure on the line conditioners but the stereo products will be out next year. Rotel just doesn't have the ability to change everything all at once.

Eric