Analogue and digital control for a separate stereo chain
Rotel RC-1572 MKII is a stereo preamplifier with RCA and balanced XLR inputs, PC-USB, coaxial and optical inputs with MQA, and RCA and balanced XLR outputs plus a subwoofer output, designed to drive external power amplifiers.
A large toroidal transformer with low-ESR slit-foil capacitors powers the analogue and digital sections with particular attention to noise. A premium 32-bit/384 kHz Texas Instruments DAC handles digital sources, while the MM phono stage and line connections retain support for analogue sources. Output management enables a separate chain that is more flexible than an integrated amplifier.
Key features
- Large toroidal transformer with low-ESR slit-foil capacitors.
- Premium 32-bit/384 kHz Texas Instruments DAC.
- PC-USB, coaxial and optical inputs with MQA.
- RCA and balanced XLR inputs.
- MM phono stage.
- Bluetooth aptX/AAC and Roon Tested certification.
- RCA and balanced XLR outputs plus subwoofer output.
- THD below 0.004%.
Power supply
A large toroidal transformer with low-ESR slit-foil capacitors powers the preamplifier. Supply separation limits noise transfer between digital and analogue sections and provides a stable reference for the line stages, particularly important because a preamplifier works with signals far lower in level than a power amplifier.
DAC and digital sources
A premium 32-bit/384 kHz Texas Instruments DAC works with PC-USB, coaxial and optical inputs with MQA. Players, computers and streamers can use internal conversion and reach the analogue outputs without an external DAC, keeping source selection and volume control concentrated in the preamplifier.
Analogue inputs
RCA and balanced XLR inputs allow an entirely analogue path for sources that have already been converted, while balanced inputs reduce sensitivity to noise over longer cable runs where available.
Phono stage
An MM phono stage allows a compatible turntable to enter the system directly without an external phono preamplifier, sharing volume control and the same outputs used by line and digital sources.
Wireless and integration
Bluetooth aptX/AAC and Roon Tested certification complement the wired connections, providing a more immediate route for smartphones and digital libraries without changing the main architecture of the chain.
Outputs to power amplifiers
RCA and balanced XLR outputs are joined by a subwoofer output. The preamplifier can therefore drive stereo or monoblock power amplifiers and active subwoofers according to the system, keeping source selection separate from power amplification and simplifying future upgrades.
Chassis and performance
Declared THD is below 0.004%. The chassis measures 431 x 99 x 338 mm and weighs 8.36 kg, with an internal layout focused on separating the power supply, digital section and analogue path to keep noise low before power amplification.