Rotel RB-1552 MkII Stereo Power Amplifier - Silver

The 1582 Platform, at One Hundred and Thirty Watts

The RB-1552 MkII is the smaller sibling of the RB-1582 MkII, built on the same platform. It makes 130 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 185 into 4, which suits most rooms and most speakers.

It kept the parts that matter. Left and right get their own rectification and decoupling. The layout after the transformer is dual-monoblock. And the slit-foil capacitors charge and discharge fast enough to keep up with a transient.

Signal-to-noise measures 120dB, which is actually better than the larger model manages. All grounding terminates in a star pattern on a copper plate, and that is a large part of why.

Inside the Chassis

Distortion stays under 0.03% across the band, harmonic and intermodulation alike. Frequency response runs 10Hz to 100kHz within half a decibel. The damping factor is 450, which is ample for most speakers you would pair with it.

Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs are both fitted, with a rear-panel selector, at 100k and 12k ohms. There are four pairs of color-coded binding posts, two for each channel, so biwiring is a matter of cables rather than adapters.

Thermal and over-current protection sit outside the audio path, so they never touch the sound and simply stop the amplifier if something is wrong. The chassis is 431mm wide, 144 high and 339 deep, and weighs 12.4kg. Rotel covers it for 5 years in North America.

What Reviewers Are Saying

The Absolute Sound named the RB-1552 MkII a Product of the Year for 2014 in its Affordable category for solid-state power amplifiers. Modestly priced products rarely reach the absolute sound, the citation observes, "but the best of them can fully deliver the heart of the high end". And: "Rotel's RB-1552 Mk II falls decisively into this category."

On what that sounds like, TAS was specific: "Through the RB-1552 Mk II, strings are properly rich, bass is weighty, and the piano possesses a lovely round tone." The amplifier is, the citation adds, "essentially a dual-monoblock design" that "accepts both single-ended and balanced connections".

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• You want the 1582 sound for less — it is built on the same platform as the RB-1582 MkII, with the same slit-foil capacitors and dual-monoblock layout, at 130 watts instead of 200.
• You care about the noise floor — 120dB signal-to-noise is better than the larger RB-1582 MkII manages, thanks to star grounding onto a copper plate.
• You biwire your speakers — four pairs of color-coded binding posts, two per channel, mean biwiring is a matter of connecting cables rather than finding adapters.
• You want protection that does not color the sound — the thermal and over-current circuits sit outside the audio path entirely, so they guard the amplifier without sitting in the signal.
• You want the volume control somewhere other than the amplifier — that is the preamp's job, and RC-1572 MkII is the one to pair

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your preamplifier by balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA and set the rear-panel switch accordingly. Speakers go to the binding posts, using both pairs per channel if you biwire.

Give it time to settle before judging it. Rotel asks for a long break-in on this family of amplifiers, and the difference is not subtle.

Pairs Well With

Here are some great companions:

• Preamplifier: Required, and the natural next decision — see our Preamplifiers.
• Speaker Cables: Carry the current properly — see our Speaker Cables.
• Interconnects: Balanced XLR is the better run from preamp to amp — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Audio Rack: Give the amplifier a proper shelf — see our Audio Racks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much power does it make?

130 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 185 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

How does it compare to the RB-1582 MkII?

Same platform and same design approach, with less power: 130 watts against 200. Its signal-to-noise figure of 120dB is actually the better of the two.

Can I biwire from it?

Yes. There are four pairs of color-coded binding posts, two for each channel.

Does it take balanced inputs?

Yes. Balanced XLR at 100k ohms and unbalanced RCA at 12k ohms, chosen with a rear-panel switch.

How big and heavy is it?

431mm wide, 144 high and 339 deep, weighing 12.4kg.

What warranty does it carry?

Rotel covers amplifiers in North America with a 5-year warranty.

See It in Action

A full review of the RB-1552 MkII:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about power amplifiers, bridging an amplifier to mono, or building a separates system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.