Rotel RC-1590 MkII Stereo Preamplifier

Thumbs Up Award - Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

Updated "Very Impressive" Full-Featured Preamp – Now with Built-in 32/384 DAC and Phono Stage

Everything you loved about the Rotel RC-1590 preamplifier and more is present in the new RC-1590MKII. The reference RC-1590MKII is in a class by itself, designed for music enthusiasts who won’t accept compromise. It relies on time-tested Rotel expertise along with cutting-edge features that audiophiles look for in a modern preamp, such as a built-in hi-res DAC for digital music streaming.

The new MkII version features a premium Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz DAC that converts incoming digital signals to analog with precision and clarity. And here's a great feature – it can now decode audiophile-quality MQA and MQA Studio files.

Award-Winning Performance

The RC-1590MKII won a Thumbs Up Award from Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity.

"The Rotel RC-1590 MKII is one of the finest sounding preamps I’ve heard. It delivers high-end sound and build quality at a reasonable price," observes reviewer Jim Milton. "I never heard the original RC-1590 preamp, but the MkII is well designed and sounds fantastic."

"An Expansive, Rock Solid Soundstage"

"The Rotel RC-1590MKII excels sonically in several ways, including providing an expansive, rock solid soundstage, a detailed-yet-smooth presentation in the midrange and upper frequencies, and dynamic bass that is precise and well-controlled, observesBob Barrett, hometheaterreview.com, July 20, 2021.

"The Rotel RC-1590MKII has an extremely low noise floor and maintains its expansive soundstage even at very low listening levels."

Engineered to the Highest Audio Performance Levels

The RC-1590MKII stereo preamplifier has been engineered to the highest audio performance levels and provides an incredible level of control and flexibility. That starts with a high-performance power supply consisting of two Rotel custom built toroidal transformers for maximum efficiency and low magnetic fields, these transformers provide low-noise isolation between the analog and digital signals.

These transformers are part of a reference grade power supply consisting of individual analog and digital regulator circuits with custom-made slit-foil capacitors. Slit-foil capacitors have very quick charge/discharge times and low signal loss ensuring tight bass performance.

"A Price Tag That's Hard to Beat"

"After spending some time with the RB and RC 1590, I was very impressed," reports Chris Groppi, in his Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity joint review of the RB-190 amp and RC-1590 preamp. "The soundstaging performance of the pair was excellent, amongst the best I’ve heard in my room with my loudspeakers. I would not hesitate to recommend this combo…."

"The Rotel RC-1590 preamplifier and RB-1590 amplifier are an impressive duo. The more time I spent with them, the more I grew to love them," notes Greg Handy at hometheaterreview.com. "The RC-1590 has a comprehensive set of modern inputs, supporting digital sources of both the wired and wireless variety. I could easily grab my MacBook Pro, log into Tidal, and instantly enjoy an incredible array of music. Streaming from my iPhone via Bluetooth was flashy and fun to demonstrate to friends. It's like having a Jukebox in your hand. All of this input flexibility and convenience, combined with the duo's excellent performance, comes with a price tag that's tough to beat."

Analog and Digital Circuits Designed by Specialized Teams

With the RC-1590MKII, Rotel engineers wanted to create a reference quality stereo preamplifier to match with its RB-1590 stereo power amplifier. Every aspect of component selection and circuit topography was designed and carefully evaluated during multiple listening sessions to ensure the highest fidelity. For example, analog and digital circuits were designed separately, by specialized Rotel teams. Analog inputs are all very low noise circuitry and include a high performance moving magnet phono stage. Digital inputs are fully isolated and feature a precision 32-bit 768kHz Digital to Analog Converter (DAC).

Built-in 32-bit / 768 kHz AKM DAC

The RC-1590MKII incorporates the superb Texas Instruments 32-bit / 384 kHz DAC circuits, featuring 12 new coupling capacitors with improved frequency response and even higher component tolerances. The DAC and surrounding circuitry supports a vast array of source inputs including MQA decoding and rendering via PC-USB, PCM PC-USB audio up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, 3 coaxial, 3 optical, integrated aptX® Bluetooth, and a front panel USB input for iOS devices.

Superb MM Phono Stage

In addition to expertly supporting digital music files, the RC-1590MKII also excels with analog sources. That makes it the perfect component for vinyl lovers, no matter if you are just starting out accumulating LPs or if you are a seasoned vinyl junkie.

The built-in high quality MM moving magnet phono stage lets you directly plug in your turntable and start listening to your favorite LPs. No outboard equipment is needed, and the low-noise built-in circuitry rivals the performance of many stand along phono stages.

Packed with Analog and Digital Connections

The RC-1590MKII is fully feature-laden in terms of its multiple digital and analog connections. It includes Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs, a TI precision volume control IC, a fixed volume line output, dual mono subwoofer outputs, digital outputs (Coax and Optical), digital inputs (3 Coax and 3 Optical), Aux, CD, and Tuner analog inputs, internal aptX Bluetooth (supports aptX and standard Bluetooth) with rear mounted external antenna, a front USB iPod with 2.1A charging input, and rear panel USB Type-B input for connecting a computer (PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution).

Other essential features include a remote control, 2 x 12-volt trigger outputs, a dimmable display, an automatic power off function (configurable), RS232 and IP control for automation system integration, internet based software updates, Rotel Link connection, a detachable IEC power cord, an external IR remote input, and a front mounted 3.5mm headphone output jack.

Product Features

Overview

New! Premium Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz Digital to Analog Converter
Front panel USB for Apple iOS devices
Rear panel USB Type-B input for connecting a computer (PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz resolution)
MQA decoding and rendering via USB
Bluetooth with aptX
High-quality MM phono stage
Dual toroidal transformers isolate the analog and digital signal paths
Transformers provide low-noise isolation between the analog and digital signals
Individual analog and digital regulator circuits with custom-made slit-foil capacitors
Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs

Connections

1 x pair of balanced XLR inputs
3 x pair of line level inputs
MM phono input
3 x Optical digital inputs
3 x Coaxial digital inputs
Bluetooth aptX wireless
Ethernet port
Front panel USB input for music playback from iOS devices
2 x pair of balanced XLR outputs
2 x pair of unbalanced RCA outputs
Line out
dual mono subwoofer outputs
2 x pairs of speaker output binding posts
Rear panel PC-USB 24-bit 192kHz input
RS-232 interface
2 x 12-volt triggers

Product Specs

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)(20Hz–20kHz): <0.002%
Frequency Response: Line Level Inputs: 10Hz - 100kHz; ±0.1dB; Digital Inputs: 20Hz - 20kHz ±0.5dB; Phono Input: 20Hz - 20kHz ±0.2dB
S/N Ratio (IHF "A" Weighted): Line Level Inputs: 112dB; Digital Inputs: 108dB; Phono Input: 80dB
Input Sensitivity: Line Level Inputs (RCA): 150mV; Line Level Inputs (XLR): 250mV; Phono Input (MM): 2.5mV
Input Impedance: Line Level Inputs (RCA): 100kΩ; Line Level Inputs (XLR): 100kΩ; Digital Inputs: 75Ω; Phono Input (MM): 47kΩ
Input Overload: Line Level Inputs: 4V; Phono Input: 30mV
Output Level: Unbalanced (RCA): 1V; Balanced (XLR): 2V
Channel Separation: Line Level Inputs: >75dB; Phono Input: >75dB
Tone Controls: ±10dB at 100Hz / 10kHz
Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals: LPCM (Up to 24-bit/192kHz)
PC-USB: USB Audio Class 1 (up to 24/96); USB Audio Class 2 (up to 32/384)
Power Consumption: 45W
Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
Dimensions (W × H × D): 17" × 5.7" × 13.9"
Weight: 20 lbs.

Product Warranty

Parts & Labor

5 Years

Rotel Warranty Information

Product Manual

	Rotel RC-1590MKII Owner's Manual (PDF Format)

	Rotel RC-1590MKII Information Sheet (PDF Format)

Thumbs Up Award - Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

"The Rotel RC-1590 MKII is one of the finest sounding preamps I’ve heard. It delivers high-end sound and build quality at a reasonable price."

"The preamp delivered some of the sweetest stereo listening I’ve heard in some time. I never heard the original RC-1590 preamp, but the MkII is well designed and sounds fantastic. I am a big proponent of surround music, but the Rotel RC-1590 MkII and RB-1590 combo could easily seduce me back to the world of two-channel music again."

- Jim Milton, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, July 19, 2021

"Rotel’s new preamp and power amp combo, the RB-1590 and RC-1590, offer up very impressive specifications for a modest asking price. In particular, the RC-1590 preamp is loaded with features most every sub-$2000 preamp could only dream of. The RB-1590 amplifier offers 350WPC of class AB power for $3000. But, as we all know, features and specifications are worth only the paper they’re printed on.

"What matters is how the components perform in the listening room. After spending some time with the RB and RC 1590, I was very impressed." </p"

"The RB-1590 power amp has lots of power capable of controlling virtually any loudspeaker, while still being able to deliver a subtle, detailed presentation. The soundstaging performance of the pair was excellent, amongst the best I’ve heard in my room with my loudspeakers. I would not hesitate to recommend this combo for anyone looking to spend about $5000 on a complete set of stereo audio electronics."

- Chris Groppi, Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity, January 27, 2016, joint review of RB-190 amp and RC-1590 preamp

"The Rotel RC-1590 preamplifier and RB-1590 amplifier are an impressive duo. The more time I spent with them, the more I grew to love them. The RC-1590 has a comprehensive set of modern inputs, supporting digital sources of both the wired and wireless variety. I could easily grab my MacBook Pro, log into Tidal, and instantly enjoy an incredible array of music. Streaming from my iPhone via Bluetooth was flashy and fun to demonstrate to friends. It's like having a Jukebox in your hand. All of this input flexibility and convenience, combined with the duo's excellent performance, comes with a price tag that's tough to beat. I learned quite a bit about Rotel during this review, and all I can say is that the company has made a fan out of me."

- Greg Handy, hometheaterreview.com, March 14, 2016, joint review of RB-190 amp and RC-1590 preamp

"The Rotel RC-1590MKII excels sonically in several ways, including providing an expansive, rock solid soundstage, a detailed-yet-smooth presentation in the midrange and upper frequencies, and dynamic bass that is precise and well-controlled. The Rotel RC-1590MKII has an extremely low noise floor and maintains its expansive soundstage even at very low listening levels."

"The combination of the Rotel RC-1590MKII preamplifier with the B&W loudspeakers was a terrific match, sonically speaking. Based on its performance characteristics, I would anticipate the Rotel RC-1590MKII preamplifier would be a great match with most loudspeakers. The robust feature set provided by the Rotel RC-1590MKII should meet the needs of most enthusiasts in the market for a stereo preamplifier/DAC and, at its price point, it represents a tremendous value to boot."

- Bob Barrett, hometheaterreview.com, July 20, 2021