Rotel RA-1572 MKII: New Rotel Sound & New Features

Join our Systems Consultant Nat as he walks you through the all-new Rotel RA-1572 MKII Integrated Amplifier. Does this new amplifier continue the change of sound established with the Rotel A11 Tribute and Rotel A14 MKII? We also test the Rotel RA-1572 MKII with 3 different pairs of speakers, the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2, Monitor Audio Silver 300's and lastly the Wharfedale Evo 4.4.
www.lenc.com.au
For more information on the products shown in this video use the following links.
Rotel RA-1572 MKII: www.lenc.com.au/products/rote...
Rotel A11 Tribute Review: • Rotel A11 Integrated A...
Rotel A11 Tribute Speaker Pairing: • Rotel A11 Tribute: 4 M...
Rotel A14 MKII Review: • Rotel A14 MKII: The Ro...
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2: www.lenc.com.au/products/bowe...
Monitor Audio Silver 300: www.lenc.com.au/products/moni...
Wharfedale Evo 4.4: www.lenc.com.au/products/whar...
Rotel RA-1572 MK II Integrated Amplifier
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 optimised 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.
Manufacturer Details:
As typical of Rotel amplifiers, the RA-1572MKII utilises 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 utilising 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. Analogue, digital, PC-USB supporting MQA, aptX™ and AAC wireless Bluetooth streaming, XLR Balanced and Moving Magnet Phono stage inputs ensures connection to your favourite sources.
Engineered With Care:
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.

[@cpg8000]

The fact that you provide recommended speaker pairings and explanations, is why this presentation is above all the other ones that just list specs and vaguely describe the sound in absence of pairing. Thank you for providing something “accessible” for the normal person and not only the intellectualized. This is most appreciated!

[@living_entertainment]

We try our best here and feel like speaker pairing is an underappreciated element when people talk about Hi-Fi. We are glad you found the information useful.

[@bruce6rt]

Auditioned this with Dynaudio Evoke 20 and Emit 10. Sounded absolutely fantastic!

[@living_entertainment]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed the pairing!

[@sofarsogoodsowot]

Excellent, I was thinking about the Evoke 20's or the MA Silver 300 7G's

[@noelhanssens7439]

Thanks for the insight! I recently picked up an RA-1592 and it is incredible - it has power for days!

[@living_entertainment]

So much headroom to play with! Enjoy your new kit!

[@lucianohighC]

Thank you very much for introducing and pairing different equipment to speakers, while also explaining the specifications and the sound quality of each, how and why the pairing work better that way or not.... That is very helpful...

[@living_entertainment]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@skywallker1966]

Amazing review as allways! Own B&W DM603 first eddition from 1998 will te A14 be a better choice or the RA1572mkii will sound better?

[@acmuscravageur3627]

Try to pair Rotel with Quad 23L and you’ll be blown away…….couldn’ believe the clarity warmth and that bass……sooo extended tight clear….. great body to the overall sound and so musical excellent pairing!!! My second best was with Triangle Borea 08….. almost the same but a bit more neutral!!

[@living_entertainment]

Great to hear about how this amplifier pairs with other speakers, very helpful information, thank you!

[@stanstanly3812]

Thank you for this review. I actually bought the 1592 MKII but your review helped me make the easy decision. I'm pairing the unit with a set of Polk R700's and I'm very happy. My record collection has come alive and I feel like I'm at a concert with everything I play. Polk really hit a home run with the R700's and they are perfect for the 1592. I would highly suggest a quick listen.

[@qeensland1]

I find your review very useful. Thanks a lot. I would like to extend this wish list to Sonus Faber Lumina III or Fyne Audio F501.

[@ronaldfleischer7675]

i am getting the Wharfedale Lintons and already have the Key LS50 Meta...how do they pair to the Rotel? Maybe someone tried it.

[@megmilesringo]

Hi.Great video. I recently bought this amp. I have Dynaudio emit 50 and Dali Oberon 5. Can I use these together as four speakers?

[@CandidUploads]

Thanks for the review. How does the treble extension compare to the previous version of this amp? I have a Q Acoustics Concept 300 which is more on the warm, musical and rounded off side. Do you think it would help to add a little more treble extension to these speakers? Thanks.

[@living_entertainment]

Potentially, unfortunately, we didn't have the previous model here for comparison so our memories on its treble extension are hazy at best.

[@marius-marianmititelu1799]

Hello,Thank you for this video...how do you think he work with Dynavoice DF 8?

[@justindziamski122]

I've got a set of Bowers 803D that when hooked up to the 1572 MKII sounded noticeably different than the previous Rotel Amp; a Rotel RX-275. Thought about swapping the 1572 to run my Sonus Faber Sonetto V's. It would be great to see a video comparison.

[@living_entertainment]

We aren't a Sonus Faber dealer so we don't have the speakers on hand to test but I agree, it would be an interesting comparison to see.

[@vathnamean7155]

Is this amp a good choice for B&W 702 S2?

[@robertoreynaldo1005]

Nice review! I have Martin Logan 60XT, do you recommend RA-1572 M2 on my speakers? Thanks.

[@living_entertainment]

We are not a Martin Logan dealer so we have not tried the pairing. Maybe someone in the comments can help!

[@antonioferraro815]

Hi, i would like to have your opinion just pairing this amplifier with klipsch RP 600 M speakers. Thank a lot.

[@El_white_horse]

What you think that 1572 with the sonus faber lumina II ? Speakers are 4ohm maximum 150 watts.

[@chrissheldrick4073]

Great review.. Which gen of silver 300's were you using... Thanks.

[@living_entertainment]

In this video it was the 6G

[@georgethenewbie]

hello! I own the Diamond 10.7 speakers, (a bit old?) but I'm considering this amp. I was wondering how they would sound..

[@imaginariumjiujitsu]

Thanks for the review. Interesting to hear your feedback on the combination with the B&W 603. Is this the same with the B&W 706S2 or do you advice to choose the A14?

[@living_entertainment]

We haven't really tried the 700 series with this unit because price wise it doesn't really make sense (we are still a retailer after all) but personally I think I prefer the sound the A14 MKII.

[@imaginariumjiujitsu]

@@living_entertainment Thanks for this answer. It's gives a view I need to consider. I have some work to do 😉

[@IvanIvanov-oo7bx]

I would like to know if this amp works well with KLH Kendall

[@jojo-dq8ci]

你好，请问你觉得用这款功放推Dynaudio的新EMIT50，可以把它推好吗？谢谢

[@RealDiGiPHiX]

Can you turn the LEDs completely off or just turn them down?

[@marklloyd4153]

What would your opinion be on Rotel paired with Polk R700s ?

[@tmed827]

Just came upon this review and thoroughly enjoyed it. Hoping you can tell me how the Rotel RA1572 Mk 11 would pair with the Klipsch RP8000F 11's. Thank you again for this review.

[@ekimandersom4478]

With speaker cables

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Im doing research on these... and I can see 1 thing between the A14 and the 1572... AKM vs TX Dacs. It's no wonder they sound different.

[@stelioskritikakis]

Great review, I have a pair of Klipsch RF 8000 and i was wondering if this amp is a good match

[@paulomontero12]

I have 1572mk2 with the klipsch 8000rf and they sound great!

[@ALTEANOMAN]

Hello, I have a question, my idea is to mount two B&W 705 monitors with 2 DN15 subwoofers, with a Rotel rc1590 preamp that has 2 subwoofer outputs, will it remain in stereo or will it be in mono? how can i know this? Thank you very much.

[@a1stp]

has anyone paired this with kef R3 bookshelf speakers? if so how did they pair

[@Andrey_g_t]

Hello. Perhaps someone listened to a bunch of rotel ra1592 and monitor audio silver 500 7g how are your impressions?

[@ylee9804]

If it's possible I would like see with Dynaudio Evoke 50 or other Evoke range. Thank you.

[@pulseburst]

Hi, I have the B&W 703 s1 speakers, would this amp be a good pairing in your opinion?

[@living_entertainment]

We would have to hear them on this amplifier to know for sure, it can be a little picky when it comes to synergy.

[@paulhiggins6740]

I’d love to know how well this amp would sound with a pair of Tannoy Revolution XT-8 - has anybody tried this combination?

[@robertgreman7249]

How does it work with Kef speakers? I'm especially interested in R series (R3 or R7)...

[@living_entertainment]

We haven't had the time to pair these up with any Kef speakers as of yet. We have the LS50 Meta on hand so we might revisit this amplifier with more speaker combinations in another video in the future.

[@Andrey_g_t]

Здравствуйте, Вы бы посоветовали усилитель rotel ra 1592 mk2 к колонкам monitor audio silver 500 7g? Спасибо.

[@kennethfaron5486]

Sonus Faber Sonetto V. I'd like to see that pared with the Rotel integrated amp.

[@StewartRoss]

Great review as always Nat. I have a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 6 (5G) and am looking to upgrade my Rotel A12 to something with more muscle, power, and refinement, do you think this would be a good pairing with my speakers? Keeping in mind, I am looking to upgrade the speakers too at a later stage, most likely the Monitor Audio Silver 300 (7G). Cheers

[@living_entertainment]

Thank you! We love the sound of the Silver 6G on the Rotel but for the 7G the Roksan K3/Attessa both edge it out in our opinions.

[@StewartRoss]

@@living_entertainment Thanks guys! Keep the reviews coming.

[@living_entertainment]

@@StewartRoss Got plenty more on the way! ;)

[@matts.5516]

Hi Nat, can you please recommend amp for B&W 703 s2 or if possible can you try speakers with RA1572mk2 and share your opinion. Many thanks

[@MatthewFarmer87]

I’m also looking for pairings in the 7 series with my 705 s2’s I just lucked into. Nat even said to speak up if we wanted 700 series pairing reviews, well here we are :) @matt What amps are you cross shopping? I’m looking for a Cambridge cxa81 to audition and might also take a look at the Hegel 95’s now too

[@matts.5516]

@@MatthewFarmer87 Hi thank you for reply. I’m looking at Rotel ra1572mk2 Arcam sa30 or Roksan Attessa to pair with 703s2

[@ilmatanela1816]

Hi, thank you for the great content. Liked and subscribed. I was just looking for a review of this particular amp as it packs all the features I am interested in. Unfortunately I cannot find any way to test it before buying and I wonder how you think it would pair with my Wharfedale Linton. Your opinion would be highly appreciated. I listen mainly rock, post-rock and jazz and tend to like more warm/rich, less fatiguing sound. In case you would not recommend this amp, may you suggest a similar product around the same budget? The Arcam SA20 and the NAD C368 are also in my list. Thanks in advance.

[@allenwilliams8962]

@ilmatanela1816 - I am contemplating the same thing with my Linton's. Did you get this yet? I am getting this or the Technic Su-g700

[@ilmatanela1816]

@@allenwilliams8962 no I am still evaluating. Till next spring I won't be stable at home therefore I can't make much use of the system. Currently I am powering them with my good ol' Arcam Alpha 9 which is still a decent amp if not for some issues with noisy selectors. I will replace it when I'll be back. Therefore I can wait and that's a good thing, because in the mean time NAD released the new C3050 which I like a lot, aesthetically. Would be a perfect combination with the Lintons. I really hope it will perform well though as I had a previous experience with a NAD 316 and honestly I didn't like it. But many years passed so I will certainly give it a go, and hopefully make it my next amp. 100 watts are more than enough for me.

[@happycamper4786]

How does this sound with the LS50 Metas? Is there any reason to step up to this over the A14MKii or does the A14MKii sound better with the Metas?

[@living_entertainment]

It sounds okay with the Meta's but I think we all prefer the sound of it with the A14 MKII here at LENC.

[@happycamper4786]

Thanks. Why do you suppose the cheaper A14mk2 sounds better than the 1572mk2 that should be more "Michi-like"?

[@living_entertainment]

@@happycamper4786 I dont think it's so much a matter of the A14 MKII sounding better as it just being a little more easy going when it comes to speaker pairings. We found the Michi could be quite picky during our time with it so it makes sense that some of that might have found its way into the RA-1572 MKII.

[@brianmoore3094]

Would this pair well with paradigm series 11 v7 speakers?

[@living_entertainment]

Paradigm isn't a brand we carry so we have not had the opportunity to test and find out.

[@madcrabber1113]

Can you play speakers A and B at the same time and if so what is the wattage?

[@daveharmon8042]

I would like to know the answer this question too. my 4 speakers would be 8 ohms so the load on the amplifier would be 4 ohms per channel. But can you select A & B together.

[@ronlysons6750]

Does anyone what frequencies the tone controls operate at?

[@_alifeallmine_]

Would love to know how it goes with the ‘Monitor Audio Bronze 500’.

[@living_entertainment]

Thats a good question, we might revisit speaker pairings with this amplifier in the future if we get enough requests.

[@droopy7049]

@@living_entertainment please add Polk Audio Reserve series. Preferably the floorstanding speakers....R500 or R600🙏🏾

[@living_entertainment]

@@droopy7049 We are not a Polk distributor.

[@droopy7049]

@@living_entertainment okay thank you.

[@skeezer180]

I find the leak stereo 130 underpowered in respect😢 to the lintons the malt deal was more a gimic 45 watts per channel is simply inadequate I know because i bought one I am now considering the rotel a 14 mk 2 I would like to hear your response Thanks

[@Z4d0k]

The Lintons sound good with the Leak 230, but the 130 was underpowered. I can understand if you don’t want to give Leak another chance though. The Malt deal wasn’t a good sonic match, it just looked good together.

[@jenshulsen9508]

Has anyone experience with running this amp with old Bose 601 Speakers?

[@sleeper1023]

How do you like the new Rotel sound vs. the Marantz Model 30? I'm down to picking between the Model 30 and the RA-1592 MKII.

[@living_entertainment]

Oh man, that is a tough one... they are doing 2 very different things and pair with very different speakers. Aesthetically I much prefer the Model 30, I think it's a very sexy looking amplifier. I think I prefer the Model 30 with most speakers that we have tried.

[@sleeper1023]

@@living_entertainment Appreciate the thoughts! This is going to be one difficult choice to make. Both are powerful amps, and it boils down to the speaker pairing. Cheers

[@gordoa172]

Great review... Any chance you could try them out with Elac Uní fi Reference?

[@living_entertainment]

We aren't an Elac dealer but there is always the off chance that a customer in the future might bring in a pair for a speaker pairing test.

[@gordoa172]

@@living_entertainment I really appreciate your reviews and honesty. Thumbs up all the way from Texas!!!

[@living_entertainment]

@@gordoa172 Thank you very much, we do really try our best with what we have!

[@subaruxv8152]

Not any word about bi-wiring!!! Can you suggest what is te right bi-wiring connections?

[@jonathanli4027]

sad.....i am using evo 4.4 and waiting for this amp for a while, any amp you recommend for evo 4.4? million thanks

[@living_entertainment]

I was using the Audiolab 6000A with them yesterday and having a fantastic time, likewise the Audiolab 8300. We haven't had a chance to pair them up with the Rotel A14 MKII yet but based on our experience with the EVO 4.2 and the Rotel A11 Tribute the combination might be worth looking into.

[@jonathanli4027]

@@living_entertainment cooool, thanks buddy

[@PaulMaison]

Please pair this to the Wharfedale Linton Heritage speakers. Please, pretty please!!! 🙏🏽

[@living_entertainment]

It's a pairing we have tried! We like the tone a lot but it's not as bassy as we might like from the Lintons based on our experiences with other amps.

[@PaulMaison]

@@living_entertainment this might work for me. I intend to run the Lintons with a pair of Def Tech SuperCube I subs.

[@living_entertainment]

@@PaulMaison If that's the case you are sitting pretty!

[@skeezer180]

Please pair these with the wharfdale lintons

[@grzegorzemanowicz5122]

Is it a good match for Wharfedale Evo 4.4? Please post a demo.

[@living_entertainment]

We here at Living Entertainment don't believe in sound demos. The Evo 4.4 is an okay pairing but not our favorite.

[@grzegorzemanowicz5122]

@@living_entertainment Thank you for a very super fast response. What be the best pairing for the Evo 4.4 in your opinion? Will a 14 be better? What's best? Greetings and thanks for a fast response!

[@living_entertainment]

@@grzegorzemanowicz5122 Our personal picks for the Evo 4.4 are the Audiolab 6000A/6000A Play or the Hegel H96/H120.

[@grzegorzemanowicz5122]

@@living_entertainment Will Audiolab won't be to weak? I've read that to power the 4.4 Evo especially listening on low volumes there need to be at least 100 W per channel. Is that true? Will 4.4 be ok in the small room like 12x18 feet?

[@living_entertainment]

@@grzegorzemanowicz5122 Audiolab and Wharfedale are owned by the same company and they engineer their products to sound great together. Watts are important but how they are delivered is "more" important (I am using the Audiolab at home with Davone Twists for example and they are stated as needing 100W as well, they sound quite excellent together however). In a room that size however I would be more inclined to use the Evo 4.2 or 4.3.

[@hotspur1974]

Is this a ok match for the silver 50's

[@living_entertainment]

Honestly you would be better off moving up to the Silver 100's to really make the most of the combo. It will drive the 50's no issue but its a bit overkill.

[@hotspur1974]

Thanks for the advice@@living_entertainment

[@gokhanersan8561]

How does 1572 compare with a14 mkii?

[@living_entertainment]

We like the compactness of the A14MKII, but for that extra headroom (and futureproofness if you decide to get bigger speakers later), you can't go past the 1572 MKII.

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@living_entertainment Exactly my feelings:)

[@JBrm]

I don't get the difference to the A14MKII, not even Rotel on their homepage really explains it... Yes, it has balanced inputs, a bit more power and golden speaker terminals. Anything else?

[@living_entertainment]

Probably some other minor additions but those ones you have listed are the main ones.

[@bruce6rt]

Double sub outputs.

[@kevinkraska3612]

I assume you prefer the Hegel H95 to this new Rotel model, correct?

[@living_entertainment]

Not as a blanket statement, no, as the H95 doesn't have the amount of functionality the RA-1572 MKII offers, but we do believe it pairs better with both the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 and the Wharfedale Evo 4.4. The Monitor Audio Silver 300 definitely has a sweeter and to our ears more enjoyable sound with the RA-1572 MKII than they do with the Hegel H95. It all comes down to what functionality you are looking for and what speakers you are wanting to pair with these systems.

[@pierrelabbe3173]

Love Canada M.T.L Merci Québec merci

[@user-du9qp3fe6r]

You guys on youtube always use high effiecency speaker and not hard loads like Magneplanar 3.7 speakers. Low impedance loads test the power amp.

[@niklaswaller1917]

Elac 407 Vela

[@musiconvinylisbetter.1449]

What makes a amp sound different than an other?

[@living_entertainment]

Having completely different components and component implementations is a small example of what makes them sound different but there is a lot more to it than that. Most amplifiers are engineered around producing a specific sound.

[@musiconvinylisbetter.1449]

@@living_entertainment different components? So manufactors want to color the sound, why?

[@living_entertainment]

@@musiconvinylisbetter.1449 Because everybody has different tastes and budgets, different sized rooms different musical sources.

[@musiconvinylisbetter.1449]

@@living_entertainment why don't they tell you that then? This amp is for....and it sounds........? I believe they want satisfied customers. It seems that they need rewievers and specs to make their products popular. Is there a citchen stove that makes your food taste better?

[@living_entertainment]

@@musiconvinylisbetter.1449 Hi-Fi is about mixing and matching components to best suit your own ear. It is the consumers responsibility to test and experiment until they have found the sound thats right for them. We can only try to nudge people in the right direction based on what they say they are looking for in terms of sound and music as nobody's tastes are the same.

[@tms372]

It's not Mark Audio, it's Monitor Audio. Very confusing this chap.

[@dropthehammer1360]

When did he say Mark Audio?

[@michaeloconnor9465]

Rotel put big annoying lights on their products. We don't want big annoying lights around the power button or the volume button. Are rotel trying to sell to kid. If rotel wants big annoying lights, then give us away to turn the big lights off.

[@nikola5116]

Po co ta gadka, pokarz funkcje

[@zorankalina4399]

By my experiante with B&W 6 towers and Rotel RB 981...even 2×bridged on mono...Will never recomende. That combo does not work for audiofiliac aprouch.....ore those who expecte " atractiv" sound. Only acoustic music, without to many instruments....is accepteble.

[@bretts7037]

YES thank you for mentioning the stupid LED ring! Worst design flaw that they incorporate into every one of their products. Nobody wants to see it.

[@living_entertainment]

Its definitely not for everyone, im glad they make it easier to turn the brightness down. A lot of other systems have similar lighting that cant be changed.