Rotel RB-1552 MkII: Powerful two-channel Class AB power amplifier

The Rotel RB-1552 MKII is a two-channel Class A/B power amplifier that delivers 2 x 130 W output power into an 8-ohm load. The device is equipped with balanced and unbalanced inputs and can be used both as part of high-end stereo systems and in a...

Rotel RB-1552 MkII
Rotel RB-1552 MkII

The Rotel RB-1552 MKII is a two-channel Class A/B power amplifier that delivers 2 x 130 W output power into an 8-ohm load. The device is equipped with balanced and unbalanced inputs and can be used both as part of high-end stereo systems and in a home theater for sounding front channels. Two pairs of screw connectors for each output allow you to connect speakers using a Bi-wiring scheme.

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The power supply of the Rotel RB-1552 MKII amplifier is equipped with a proprietary Rotel toroidal transformer, the parameters of which are optimized for use in this model. At the same time, the calculated power of the power transformer significantly exceeds the energy requirements of the amplifier even when operating at maximum volume, which significantly expands the dynamic range of sound. The level of the external magnetic field of a toroidal transformer is significantly lower than that of traditional ones, so its use allows the level of background noise to be minimized.

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Each channel of the Rotel RB-1552 MKII is powered by its own rectifier equipped with filter capacitors of significant capacity. They have a reduced charge/discharge time, which is very important for accurate reproduction of energetic dynamic musical passages. The output stages of the amplifier contain high-current bipolar transistors, connected in parallel and selected for exact compliance with the specified performance characteristics.

The printed circuit boards of both channels have the same topology and increased metallization thickness, and the length of the signal transmission circuits on them is reduced to a minimum. In general, the design of the amplifier corresponds to the Rotel Balanced Design Concept ideology, which implies the elimination of the slightest factors that could negatively affect sound quality.

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The device is made in a metal case, and the internal arrangement of the elements in it ensures free air circulation without the use of forced cooling. All connectors on the rear panel have gold-plated contact surfaces.

Characteristics of Rotel RB-1552 MKII

Output power 2 x 130 W (8 Ohms)
Frequency range 4 Hz – 100000 Hz
Signal-to-noise ratio 120 dB
Damping factor 500
Harmonic coefficient less than 0.03%
Inputs XLR, RCA
Outputs 4 pairs of screw terminals for speakers (two per channel)
Sensitivity/impedance 1.5 V / 12 kOhm (RCA), 2.5 V / 50 kOhm (XLR)
Gain 26.5 dB
Power consumption 400 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 431 x 144 x 340 mm
Weight 14.3 kg