The Rotel RCX-1500 CD Receiver is a versatile Hi-Fi device that marks Rotel’s approach to audio technology. Unlike most other popular all-in-one models, Rotel created this device without making compromises.
The Rotel RCX-1500 receiver uses a 24-bit/192 kHz Wolfson digital-to-analog converter with a highly stable clock generator and jitter reduction circuitry. The Rotel RCX-1500 output amplifiers operate in Class D, which provides very efficient use of power from the power supply and the ability to drive speakers with impedances below 4 ohms. Moreover, with an output power of 100 W, the receiver is capable of fully driving even large floor-standing speakers in order to provide high-quality sound in fairly large rooms. The receiver’s power supply is based on a custom toroidal transformer. Separate secondary windings are used to power various functional units of the device.
The Rotel RCX-1500 uses a very high-quality slot-loading CD player, the design of which is based on the very successful RCD-1520 model. On the front panel of the receiver there is a USB connector to which you can connect an iPod/iPhone, as well as portable drives with music files. The receiver receives both “regular” FM broadcasts and Internet radio, and can also access popular Internet music resources. And, in addition, the Rotel RCX-1500 supports UPnP home media network technology, which allows you to broadcast an audio stream from Windows Media Player (version 11 or 12) to it. In order to make a network connection, you need to use a wireless adapter installed in the USB connector on the rear panel of the device.
The Rotel RCX-1500 is equipped with a line input, digital optical and coaxial inputs, and a preamplifier output. A very informative four-line LCD display on the front panel greatly simplifies the use of the receiver. The device is manufactured in a solid metal case on an anti-resonance chassis, and its design is highly reliable, which guarantees a long service life.
To implement the capabilities of a network player, we connected a LAN-USB adapter and an Ethernet cable to one of the USB ports. At the same time, an MP3 flash drive was plugged into the front connector. The four-line display on the front panel showed the contents of the flash drive quite adequately. Having selected an album, we started playback. Recordings in MP3 with a bitrate of 192 kbps gave good quality, and we got the feeling that the receiver has an algorithm for optimizing compressed formats. After that, we finally started trying out the online features. Searching for Internet radio stations and launching their programs is also intuitive. It should be noted that the device’s memory is already filled with enough radio stations, but if desired, you can add new ones.
To read content from network storage, you need to have a media server installed there. We used a NAS with TwonkyMedia installed, which gave the optimal result, since the recommended sharing with Windows Media Player is inconvenient, and it practically refused to work under Windows Vista, although it found the player. With Twonky, no such difficulties arose, and we, having selected the necessary albums on the display, began playing them. By the way, the manufacturer does not yet indicate the FLAC format in the list of supported ones, but in the latest firmware such support appeared, so that FLAC files were played with the same quality as CD releases.
Specifications Rotel RCX-1500
Supported formats MP3, WMA, CD
Output power (20-20000 Hz, <0.05% THD, 8 ohms) 100 W per channel
Frequency response, ±3 dB 10 – 40000 Hz
Input sensitivity / impedance 0, 2 V / 47 kOhm
Wolfson DAC 24 bit / 192 kHz
Number of tuner stations FM 30
Inputs Linear, coaxial, optical
Outputs Linear, headphone output
Interfaces USB Type A, Ethernet, RS-232
Maximum input voltage 2.5 V
Dimensions 391 x 144 x 343 mm
Weight 8.1 kg (without packaging)
