Home Theatre/TV: Rotel RMB-1565 Amplifier / RSP-1570 Surround Processor – Review – 76

Last month I was moaning about the recent lack of separate home theatre processor/power amplifier combos in Tone, and wouldn’t you know it, along come both Audiolab and Rotel to the rescue with their latest and greatest.

So why would you consider a separate pre/power setup when there are so many great integrated receivers on the market?

It comes down to the same reasons you’d purchase a two-box hi-fi amp: the sensitive digital/analogue section is kept well away from the noisy power amplifier and its strong magnetic fields, therefore improving performance.

That’s the theory, anyway, and it certainly has merit, although constant research is undertaken to improve shielding of power transformers and power supplies contained within more common garden HT receivers and amplifiers.

I like the two-box route to audio/visual bliss; historically the most coveted and costliest amplifier components have been the separate pre and power amp, so along with any sonic benefits there is definitely a certain snob value surrounding them (no pun intended).

Rotel has a new range of components for 2009 featuring the latest high-definition audio chipsets, so Blu-ray aficionados have another alternative while out shopping for toys. The RSP-1570 preamp/processor and RMB-1565 power amp are a stylish, upmarket duo, boasting features and performance that has them in a higher echelon than your run-of-the-mill HT receiver.

It’s the RMB-1565 that really leads the innovation charge here. This class-D equipped device is rated at 100wpc, but consumes precious little power and develops only negligible heat.

At 6kg it is lighter than the 1570 preamp by almost four kilograms, thanks to the design not requiring hefty transformers and bulky heat sinks.

The RSP-1570 has the latest DTS and Dolby Digital HD decoding onboard, and any analogue sources can be transcoded to HDMI for easy connectivity.

Its video processor is fully compatible with HDMI version 1.3, meaning it’ll handle 1080p/24Hz and Deep Colour/XVYCC video formats.

Perhaps shouting its capabilities from the rooftops as a custom install device, Rotel has equipped the RSP-1570 with extensive multi-zone options, bi-directional RS232 and 12v triggers galore.

I had planned to use Rotel’s custom setup software, but major computer issues meant it was impossible – it looked very impressive though. Luckily, the 1570 is easy to set up using the onboard GUI, and although missing a microphone calibration system I had the job done within 20 minutes.

Starting the demo with I Am Legend on Blu-ray, the Rotel duo made a very good impression with excellent Dolby TrueHD steering and thundering dynamics. The Rotels’ ability to retrieve detail from the soundtrack was quite exceptional; echoes and the distant sound of bloodthirsty zombies made for a potent surround sound experience.

This ability to decipher detail was also evident on my Bladerunner Blu-ray, the end scene being a particular highlight with its heightened ambience courtesy of the Rotel combo.

Quibbles are few, but I would’ve liked to have seen some form of internet audio streaming on board. Still, adding something yourself – a Squeezebox Duet/Transporter or Linn 
Sneaky DS, say – would probably be a far more sophisticated solution than any built-in effort.

Rotel has stuck to its task and produced an excellent high-end alternative to the common-garden HT receiver. It’s a job well done, Rotel.

Gary Pearce

Tech Specs

RMB-1565
5-Channel Power Amplifier
$2499
RSP-1570
Home Theatre
Surround Processor
$3999

RSP-1570 Home 
Theatre Processor

AUDIO DECODING: Dolby Digital True HD/DTS HD MA
THD: <0.05%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 10Hz-120kHz +/- 3dB (line level)
S/N RATIO: 95dB
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 75 ohms
DIMENSIONS: 
431 x 144 x 335mm
WEIGHT: 9.6kg

RMB-1565 Multichannel 
Power Amplifier

POWER: 100W x 5 into 8 ohms
THD: <0.03%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE: 
10-80kHz (+3dB)
DIMENSIONS: 
431 x 99 x 339mm
WEIGHT: 6kg

PROS

• Superior home theatre sound and facilities

• A great looking powerhouse with real finesse

CONS

• No facility for media streaming

VERDICT

• Rotel has upped the ante with the superb RSP-1570/ RMB-1565 combo

CONTACT

www.international
dynamics.co.nz

This Review is from Tone Issue #76.