Surround Processor Reviews

Rotel RSP-1570 Surround Processor and RMB-1575 Amplifier HT Labs Measures Rotel RSP-1570 Surround Processor

HT Labs Measures Rotel RSP-1570 Surround Processor

Analog frequency response in Bypass mode:
–0.25 dB at 10 Hz
–0.07 dB at 20 Hz
–0.09 dB at 20 kHz
–0.57 dB at 50 kHz

Analog frequency response with signal processing:
–0.47 dB at 10 Hz
–0.14 dB at 20 Hz
–0.16 dB at 20 kHz
–46.90 dB at 50 kHz

This chart shows the frequency response of the left (aqua), center (green), LFE (purple), and left surround (red) channels at the preamp outputs of the Dolby Digital decoder. The left channel measures –0.06 decibels at 20 hertz and –0.18 dB at 20 kilohertz. The center channel measures –0.06 dB at 20 Hz and –0.18 dB at 20 kHz, and the left surround channel measures –0.06 dB at 20 Hz and –0.18 dB at 20 kHz. The LFE channel, normalized to the level at 40 Hz, is +0.04 dB at 20 Hz, reaches the upper –3-dB point at 110 Hz, and reaches the upper –6-dB point at 118 Hz.

Response from the multichannel input to the main output measures –0.23 dB at 10 Hz, –0.06 dB at 20 Hz, –0.09 dB at 20 kHz, and –0.58 dB at 50 kHz. The analog THD+N is less than 0.015 percent at 1 kHz with a 100-millivolt input and the volume control set to 86. Crosstalk with a 100-mV input was –79.08 dB left to right and –79.20 dB right to left. The signal-to-noise ratio with “A” weighting was –125.27 dBrA.—MJP

COMMENTS
anirudhs's picture
Submitted by anirudhs on October 9, 2011 - 5:55am

Well. If I could audition audio equipment the way we can test-drive cars, I could decide if it is something that I want to aspire for 10 years down the line, or ignore it altogether because my ears can't tell the difference. Till then, I don't care.

gadgetgeek's picture
Submitted by gadgetgeek on July 21, 2012 - 3:04am

I own both the Rotel 1570 and the "older" Rotel 1077.
I also auditioned the current Rotel ICE amps. I 100% agree with Michael's assessment on the new Ice Amps. However, the Rotel 1077 is a completely different fruit all together.

The Rotel 1077 uses the 250 ASP modules in the front 2 channels from B&O. Stable down to 2 ohms, tons of power, and VERY musical. No harshness whatsoever IMO. Unfortunately, the amp didn't sell well due to its high price and relatively small stature. It didn't look like a powerful amp. That counts.

The newer models with the radiator front, use a cheaper configuration and are prob selling better.
However, IMO, they have taken a huge step backwards. If you can find a Rotel 1077 used, audition it, and I'm pretty confident, it won't sound anything like the RMB-1575.

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