RB-1590 v RB-1592

[bigburner]

Can anyone tell me the difference between these two amps? The specs look very similar. A retailer in New Zealand is selling both amps and the list price is very similar. However the retailer has heavily discounted (40%) the price of the RB-1592. Can anyone speculate why? Is there an issue with this model?

Nigel.

[wkhanna]

I did not find much on the '92 in a quick search.

here is all i got:

http://www.rotel.cn/Downloads/Manuals/RB1592.pdf

http://www.rotel.com/sites/default/files/product/manuals/RB-1590-OM.pdf

[Swimmerbird123]

The RB 1590 is a class AB amplifier, and the RB 1592 is class D

[TimbaLand]

The RB 1590 is a class AB amplifier, and the RB 1592 is class D

1592 is also class AB

[Swimmerbird123]

Oops, you're right, my mistake.

[wkhanna]

if you compare the specifications for each amp in the owners manual they are essentially the same.

there may be V slight differences in the circuit topography & component ratings.
at least that is what Patrick-Butler, the Rotel rep who posts here, told me when I mentioned i could find no differences between the 1090 & 1590.

i have an RB-1090, and have torn it down a few time to make modifications.
i can tell no difference between it & the RB-1590 other than the ascetic differences in the outer case.
they both have essentially the exact same circuit topography.

i do not see this as bad thing necessarily, as the RB-1090 is one of best amps in its class i have ever heard.

the only other amp at this price point that may be a bit better, depending on personal preference to the coloration (or lack of coloration) every amp (or any other component for that matter) induces would be the Odyssey Stratos Stereo Extreme.

jmho ymmv

[Mikael]

First of the RB-1590 sounds way better than the RB-1090 warmer overall sound fuller bass and very pleasent and detailed treble and mids. The inside of RB-1590 is somewhat different than the RB-1090. But the RB-1592 is identical to the RB1090 inside.

[Mikael]

Secondly the specs are not identical on the 3 amps. Its true they are identical on the RB-1090 and RB-1592 but not RB-1590. The RB-1590 is 350 w and a lower damping factor 300. The RB-1090/1592 is 380 w and a 1000 damping factor

[wkhanna]

rb-1592: Damping Factor (20Hz-20kHz, 8ohms) 1000

rb-1590: Damping Factor (1kHz, 8 ohms) 300

the above is quoted from the Rotel owner's manual.
the measurements are taken under different conditions.
hence, the different results.

typically, a higher damping factor results better control of the speaker drivers, especially in the low frequencies where the mass of the speaker drivers is critical to limit distortion.

additionally, I find it curious an amp with lower damping factor (control) to have better performance in the low end.

sometimes distortion in the low end (which can be caused by amps that do not exhibit good mechanical control over the speaker drivers) will cause the lower frequencies to have higher dB levels as a result of more distortion, which can sometimes be mistaken for a 'fuller' yet less realistic sound.

jmho ymmv

[Mikael]

I was simply stating that they are not identical.
But since we are talking tech. I'll bet if you could se the test results of the RB-1090/1592 it would be different at the same frequence than the RB-1590.
and there is more to it than damping factore to lock on and controlling the speakers movement. There is also the amps ability to recharge and how fast it can send it through. And how much peak current it can deliver.
Imo better specs does not equal better sound.

[wkhanna]

..... better specs does not [always] equal better sound.

rephrased with my caveat in brackets, I am in total agreement with you.:T

[TimbaLand]

Was the RB1592 a limited release?

[Mikael]

It was limited to the Asian parts, Australia and New Zealand.

[wkhanna]

so maybe the '92 was deign specified to work upside-down?

[justbenice]

If you have a change to have RB-1590 same price with RB-1592, what amp would you get?
BTW, anyone know where i can have best deal of RB-1590?
Thank you!

[Patrick Butler]

The RB-1592 was released years ago as essentially a cosmetic update to the venerable RB-1090.

The RB-1590 took the design architecture of the RB-1090 as a starting point, and then was completely re-evaluated, component by component. New power transformers (designed and built by Rotel) new balanced and unbalanced input stages, new capacitors and resistors were used in the RB-1590. Hundreds of man-hours went into the process.

Best Regards,

Patrick Butler
B&W Group North America

[wkhanna]

Thank you for the clarification, Patrick!


so there you have it, folks:

RB-1090 = RB-1592 = V good

RB-1590 = better

A retailer in New Zealand is selling both amps and the list price is very similar. However the retailer has heavily discounted (40%) the price of the RB-1592. Can anyone speculate why? Is there an issue with this model?

Nigel.

so Nigel, have you had a chance to listened to both?

if so, is the RB-1590 40% better?

iirc, you currenty run the Emotiva ....the XPA-2?

[justbenice]

I have a Rotel RB-1590 here


Compare to my old RMB-1095, the RB-1590 have better treble and detail, sweeter, but i feel the bass weaker. It was only one day, i will wait about 2 more weeks to burn in and see if the bass better. My spearker is B&W 803D.