ROTEL RB-1552 MKII Stereo Power Amp Review: How is it Compared to the Schiit Vidar?

How it this compared to the Schiit Vidar?
The components used:
VPI Scout with a Denon DL301MKII
modified Rogue Stealth phono preamp
Manley Shrimp preamp
KEF R300 speakers
Instagram: 6AM_YT

[@dragonstone6594]

If they put toroidal transformer in Vidar, trigger inputs and guarantee stable power into 4 Ohms in bridged mode they will nail it.

[@terryhk99leung36]

Thanks for your simple direct comparison.. informative.

[@6AM_YT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@StopAndGetGas]

Fun video, I liked it. I've had the 1582 MKII for several months now. In my guitar trading days I used to always remind myself, "One is not enough but two's too many." By the way, from my Rotel Owners Manual: "Rotel and the Rotel HiFi logo are registered trademarks of The Rotel Co, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan."

[@ReferenceFidelityComponents]

It would be interesting to compare this with a Quad 909 which has been the benchmark entry level top end power amp for two decades or so.

[@pandemonium274]

You are VERY rough on that Rotel Amplifier.

[@6AM_YT]

It likes it rough.

[@hemanthsonu4]

Good review!! Which speakers are you driving with Rotel??

[@6AM_YT]

KEF R300's.

[@tchernob]

Nice review, I'd love to test the benchmark ahb2

[@bigspence6898]

The exact comparison I was considering. So you recommend the rotel ?

[@6AM_YT]

Yes, though I haven't heard the new Vidar, I've been very happy with the Rotel and I'm almost never happy.

[@bigspence6898]

@@6AM_YT does the rotel have good bottom end bass? How about the highs. I read some reported harsh ? Thanks

[@6AM_YT]

@@bigspence6898 I'm pretty sensitive to sharp or harsh highs and I don't hear that issue at all. The bass is nice and tight. The low end of the Vidar was a bit sloppy in comparison.

[@bigspence6898]

@@6AM_YT me too! Thanks

[@alanmodimages]

Vidar 2 now has a standby switch on the front 🙂

[@jeremyr722]

I was seriously considering this amp pared with an tube pre-amp like a Schiit Freya+ but for that money I can get a tube integrated from Rogue Audio. Which is currently my plan.

[@hemanthsonu4]

I’m in same boat as you. I own Freya + and planning to get Rotel 1552 amplifier. Which loudspeakers do you have?

[@jeremyr722]

@Hemanth K L I have an pair of Zu Dirty Weekends. Which are 97db efficient so I can easily run them with a tube amp in triode mode. I currently have an order in for a Decware Zen Triode phono-pre cause I’m lookin for that warm, old school tube sound for my vinyl playback

[@6AM_YT]

I've been using a Manley Shrimp tube preamp. I have owned a few of the Rogue tube integrated amps (the original Cronus and the Cronus Magnum II). I didn't find either of them to be particularly tube like or engaging. I'd probably look elsewhere for the sound you are after.

[@hemanthsonu4]

@@jeremyr722 wow those really efficient speakers and easy to drive..

[@jeremyr722]

6AM I really appreciate your feedback on that! How is the Rogue in regards to brightness?

[@andrewshutty3345]

Hey man, new to your channel, do you work as like a repair man on amps etc? I have a few nice things I would like to send you to get the drops, smashing and treatment you seem to give them, I spray mine with a hose to fix them, sometimes it works but not often.. why put the rubber on your bench, you could do more damage without it, I say burn it and film it with a hi end amp at the same time! Keep up the good expert work, I sell hammers online if you ruin yours...

[@6AM_YT]

No need to waste your time reporting me to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Amplifiers). No amps are harmed in the making of any of my videos.

[@LeGo-wk5xj]

Не дай бог такому мастеру аппарат отдать )

[@SuperWinback]

Hi, nice detailed review of Rotel, do you think this model will work with an ifi zen signature v2 Dac ? It will have a nice sound?

[@6AM_YT]

Based on my experience with the iFi Zen Phono preamp, I assume it would sound great.

[@SuperWinback]

@@6AM_YT thank you for replying

[@jameshopkins7333]

I bought the amp and preamp. Could not compare to my Sansui au-d11ii at all.took it back for a full refund. Paid $ 4 grand for them

[@6AM_YT]

Damn!

[@abhisub]

Hey , thanks for the vid. You said theres no ground in the power supply socket. How do i connect a subwoofer (REL) in high level mode? This needs a geound terminal for one of the cables to attach to…

[@6AM_YT]

The power supply ground isn't the same as the negative speaker terminal. The high level connection just uses the positive speaker connections and a connection to one negative.

[@idkisaidit]

Im kinda new to this but quickly realizing how incredible 2 channel music can be…. Would i be doing the rotel a disservice to hook it up to my denon avr?

[@6AM_YT]

I would probably recommend a dedicated preamp, but maybe it's worth a try.

[@theaustralianconundrum]

The 1552's major drawback is it's terrible damping factor of 100. I have the 1582MKII and it's 800 damping factor is night and day plus it can drive 4 ohm speakers all day long.@@6AM_YT

[@mikameikalainen2270]

Do you even check how you handle the devices? 5:07...

[@6AM_YT]

I assure you, this was handled worse at the factory and by UPS.

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@6AM_YT At the Rotel factory? Nope. I've done a tour!

[@SuperGeorge2112]

Think you are overly rough the way you handle equipment as if it means nothing to you, Any electronics board is delicate, you throwing it around and dropping the unit causing unnecessary shock to the components and solder joints. Would not do any harm to be more careful. The Rotel Factory is liks an operating theatre in the way they work , I can assure you they do treat units in the. manner you do.@@6AM_YT

[@nicolaemariangruia5543]

Hola buenas este rb 1552mkii es capable de mover unos sonus faber principia 7? Un saludo

[@6AM_YT]

Si, muy facilmente!

[@nicolaemariangruia5543]

Hola son columnas de 4 ohmnios

[@6AM_YT]

Si. Según el manual, hará 4 ohmios.

[@nicolaemariangruia5543]

Hola, pero no le queda corto de potencia ? No se digo yo porque el ampli va a 130 wathios y los altavoses va de 40- 300wathios ?

[@Carl-bd1rf]

Of course you just scratched it. Dang.

[@NaveedKhan-bs1sc]

What's the 4 ohm rating of the rotel

[@6AM_YT]

I would assume around 200 watts.

[@theaustralianconundrum]

@@6AM_YT It's 160 watts for that one.

[@edsonricardo5359]

Com tanto porrada que você dá no amplificador. no final da análise deverá ser reparado.

[@6AM_YT]

Ainda está funcionando perfeitamente. Essas coisas não são tão frágeis quanto você.

[@user-od5pz9rn1w]

How do you think this will pair with a Yamaha rxv ht reciever

[@6AM_YT]

Yamaha stuff tends to be pretty good. The Rotel provides a solid foundation.

[@MovieViking]

I'm using a RBA-1582 MKII to drive the front new front speakers (that does not allow for bi-amping) after having bi-amped the the previous ones with my RX-A3070 and the Rotel is great. The first thing we noticed was that it sound the same regardless of volume/SPL, whereas the Yamaha sounded strained at higher levels.

[@richarddevreede4336]

it's a nice amp, but it's simple built , nothing special, but it's kind of warm, but i sell it again...