Rotel upgrades preamps with MKII versions, adds MQA

Rotel has announced upgraded MKII versions of its award-winning stereo preamplifiers. The RC-1590MKII and RC-1572MKII feature a variety of acoustic and performance upgrades, using technologies engineered for Michi series.

Both units now also support MQA and MQA Studio via the PC-USB input and are certified Roon Tested. RS232 and IP provide control system integration and software updates.

There have been over 75 critical component changes, says the brand, including new coupling capacitors directly in the audio signal path to deliver improved frequency response in the DAC circuits.

The DAC power supply filter capacitors, volume circuit and XLR balanced circuits also benefit from audiophile grade resistor and capacitor upgrades, isolating the independent DC power supplies, and resulting in a lower noise floor. The upgraded models support balanced XLR inputs and outputs, Moving Magnet Phono stage input for turntable connectivity, analog and digital source inputs, wireless aptX and AAC Bluetooth and utilise a Texas Instruments premium 32-bit/384kHz Digital to Analog converter (DAC).

A Texas Instruments 32bit DAC was selected supporting the component changes rendering the audio with improved details and more accurate tonal quality.

The RC-1590MKII and RC-1572MKII will retail for £1150 and £1695 respectively, when they begin shipping this summer.