The Rotel RC-1590MKII is a reference stereo preamplifier rendering audio with natural expression, an open soundstage and dynamic clarity. Analogue, digital, Bluetooth and turntable sources are all supported, with total harmonic distortion held below 0.002% and a line-level signal to noise ratio above 115 dB on both RCA and XLR outputs.
A moving magnet phono stage, coaxial and optical digital inputs, and PC-USB with MQA decoding cover the range of sources a reference two-channel system is likely to use. Fully balanced XLR inputs and outputs sit alongside unbalanced RCA, and a bespoke acoustic tuning process is applied across the circuit.
Key Features
- Fully balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs and outputs
- Moving magnet phono stage for turntable connection
- Coaxial and optical digital inputs to 24-bit/192 kHz
- PC-USB with MQA decoding up to 24-bit/384 kHz
- Total harmonic distortion below 0.002%
- Signal to noise ratio above 115 dB
- Channel separation above 85 dB on RCA and phono
- Tone controls with ±10 dB adjustment
- Bespoke acoustic tuning applied across the circuit
- Reference-grade build in Rotel's flagship preamplifier
Warranty
This product comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Why Consider the Rotel RC-1590MKII
As Rotel's reference stereo preamplifier, the RC-1590MKII pairs with the RB-1590 power amplifier to form a full separates system without stepping up to Michi. The fully balanced signal path and low distortion figures place it ahead of the RC-1572MKII, and the built-in phono stage and MQA-capable digital section mean it can serve as the hub for a genuinely varied source collection.
Ideal For
- Pairing with the Rotel RB-1590 or RB-1582MKII power amplifier
- Reference-grade two-channel systems on a Rotel budget
- Vinyl systems alongside high-resolution digital sources
- Fully balanced installations with long interconnect runs
What's in the Box
- Rotel RC-1590MKII Preamplifier
- Remote control
- Power cable
- Owner's manual
Downloads
Technical Specifications
| Performance |
| Total Harmonic Distortion |
Less than 0.002% (20 Hz - 20 kHz) |
| Intermodulation Distortion |
Less than 0.002% |
| Tone Controls |
±10 dB at 100 Hz / 10 kHz |
| Frequency Response, Noise and Separation |
| Line Level |
10 Hz - 100 kHz (+0/+0.1 dB) |
| Digital Inputs |
20 Hz - 20 kHz (0 ±0.5 dB max) |
| Phono Input |
20 Hz - 20 kHz (+0.3/-0.2 dB) |
| S/N Ratio, Line RCA |
117 dB |
| S/N Ratio, Line XLR |
115 dB |
| S/N Ratio, Digital |
108 dB |
| S/N Ratio, Phono |
80 dB |
| Channel Separation, RCA |
Greater than 85 dB |
| Channel Separation, XLR |
Greater than 75 dB |
| Channel Separation, Phono |
Greater than 85 dB |
| Input Sensitivity and Impedance |
| Input Sensitivity, RCA |
150 mV |
| Input Sensitivity, XLR |
250 mV |
| Input Sensitivity, Digital |
0 dBfs |
| Input Sensitivity, Phono MM |
2.5 mV |
| Input Impedance, RCA / XLR |
100 kilohms |
| Input Impedance, Digital |
75 ohms |
| Input Impedance, Phono MM |
47 kilohms |
| Input Overload, RCA |
4 V |
| Input Overload, XLR |
5.5 V |
| Input Overload, Phono |
64 mV |
| Digital Section and Outputs |
| Coaxial / Optical Inputs |
LPCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz |
| PC-USB |
Class 1 up to 24-bit/96 kHz, Class 2 up to 32-bit/384 kHz |
| MQA |
MQA up to 24-bit/384 kHz |
| Output Level, RCA |
1 V |
| Output Level, XLR |
2 V |
| Preout Level (at -20 dB) |
1.65 V |
| General |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) |
431 x 144 x 348 mm |
| Front Panel Height |
132.6 mm |
| Power Requirements |
230 V, 50 Hz |
| Power Consumption |
45 W |
| Standby Power Consumption |
Less than 0.5 W |
| Net Weight |
10.1 kg |
| BTU Rating |
78 BTU/h |
