ROTEL | SKU: NEW-RORB1590-BLK | Barcode: 672563228117

Rotel RB-1590 Stereo Power Amplifier - Black

The Rotel RB-1590 supplies effortless scale and control while preserving the subtleties that keep music engaging. Dual toroidal transformers, 350 watts per channel, and balanced inputs make it a formidable foundation for demanding two-channel systems.

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$4,599.00

Condition

New

On Backorder. Available in 21 days or less

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Three Hundred and Fifty Watts, Doubling Into Four Ohms

The RB-1590 is the top of Rotel's amplifier line and it does not hedge. Three hundred and fifty watts per channel into 8 ohms, and 648 into 4 — nearly double, which is what a genuinely stiff power supply looks like on a spec sheet.

That comes from two toroidal transformers and eight British-made BHC capacitors. Most amplifiers share a single transformer between the two channels. This one does not, and the 648-watt figure into 4 ohms is the evidence.

It is a Class AB design, and at 84 pounds it is built around the power supply it contains rather than the other way round. This is the amplifier for speakers that have already defeated something smaller.

Inside the Chassis

Distortion stays under 0.03% across the band, harmonic and intermodulation alike. Signal-to-noise measures 120dB A-weighted, and frequency response runs from 10Hz right up to 100kHz, holding within half a decibel the whole way.

The damping factor is 300, and channel separation is better than 50dB. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs are both fitted and selected on the rear panel, at 100k and 12k ohms, with input sensitivities of 3.5V and 2.2V respectively.

The chassis measures 431mm wide, 237 high and 456 deep, and weighs 38.1kg, which is 84 pounds. Check the shelf before it arrives. Rotel covers amplifiers in North America with a 5-year warranty.

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

Your speakers are genuinely hard to drive — 648 watts per channel into 4 ohms, nearly double the 8 ohm figure, is what a stiff power supply delivers when a speaker's impedance drops away.
Your room is large — 350 watts per channel keeps dynamics intact at the far end of a big space, so quiet passages still have shape rather than vanishing.
You want dual transformers, not one shared — two toroidal transformers and eight BHC capacitors mean one channel's demands do not arrive as the other channel's compression.
You want quiet with the power — 120dB signal-to-noise on an amplifier this size means the noise floor does not rise to meet the output.
You are choosing the control stage yourself — the volume and the inputs belong to the preamp, and RC-1590MKII is the matched one

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect your preamplifier by balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA and set the rear-panel switch to match. Speakers go to the binding posts.

Plan the installation before delivery. At 84 pounds and 456mm deep, the RB-1590 needs a shelf rated for it and enough depth behind for cables.

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?

350 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 648 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

Why does the 4 ohm figure nearly double?

Because the power supply is stiff enough to sustain it. Two toroidal transformers and eight British-made BHC capacitors sit behind the output stage.

What class is it?

Class AB, with a conventional linear power supply rather than a switching design.

Does it take balanced inputs?

Yes. Balanced XLR at 100k ohms and unbalanced RCA at 12k ohms, with sensitivities of 3.5V and 2.2V respectively.

How big and heavy is it?

431mm wide, 237 high and 456 deep, weighing 38.1kg, or 84 pounds. Check your shelf and your cable depth first.

What warranty does it carry?

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

See It in Action

The RB-1590 driving MartinLogan electrostatics:

A second review, on how much load the RB-1590 will take:

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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.

"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."

"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

"When it comes to the RB-1590, I'm skeptical that it's possible to make an amp that sounds significantly more transparent than it already is. In the grand scheme of things, it's neither the cheapest nor the most expensive option out there for a 350 W/channel stereo amp, but the impression it gives is that you are getting a lot of value for your money."

"The preamp features truly ruler-flat frequency response and microscopic levels of distortion, meaning that it just gets out of the way of the music. The simple operation and stereo-purist feature set are not necessarily going to thrill DSP addicts used to the digital bells and whistles of AVRs and pre/pros, but 2-channel audio aficionados should find much to like in the way the RC-1590 goes about its business."

"Ultimately, the Rotel RB-1590 amp and RC-1590 preamp combination creates a killer 2-channel rig that gives you the power and the precision needed to get the most out of a great pair of speakers, so you can enjoy the music. Of that, I am certain."

- imagic, avsforums.com, February 2016, joint review of RB-1590 amp and RC-1590 preamp

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