Rotel

It's all about the sound

Rotel is an audio manufacturer synonymous with high-quality sound. Much of Rotel’s success in sound reproduction can be attributed to the brand’s engineering philosophy called Balanced Design Concept – a disciplined synthesis of physics, electronics and mechanical engineering. The Balanced Design Concept revolves around three principles: parts selection, circuit topology and critical evaluation.

Rotel Products
Parts Selection

The foundation of any high-quality audio component lies in the parts used to build it. By carefully choosing components that meet their stringent criteria, they can create audio equipment that exceeds industry standards and satisfies even the most discerning audio critics.

This attention to detail and commitment to using only the finest parts may come at a slightly higher cost, but it is a key factor that helps people recognise Rotel as superior to mainstream Hi-Fi manufacturers.

Circuit Topology

It’s not enough to simply use better parts. Where you put them is equally important. That’s why Rotel audio relies heavily on something we call Symmetrical Signal Trace design. This keeps each channel’s signal path identical to the others to preserve imaging and sound staging.

Through extensive research and experimentation, they have developed unique circuit topologies that take full advantage of the high-quality parts they’ve selected. By carefully arranging components and employing innovative design techniques, Rotel’s engineers can create audio products that deliver outstanding clarity, precision, and musicality. Rotel also uses ‘star’ grounding techniques wherever possible to improve performance – a method of terminating all ground points in a star-shaped pattern on a single plane.

Critical Evaluation

Rotel’s talented team has found that human hearing is more sensitive than even sophisticated instruments in the hands of experienced engineers. That’s why they run listening sessions at each development stage, and use their participants’ feedback to refine the product before it goes into production. This ensures the performance of a new model is as good as it can possibly be. 

From the very beginnings of Rotel, through to the 12 series and newest products, these are the principles Rotel follows to deliver the best audio performance at a reasonable price.

Over the course of more than six decades, Rotel has been at the forefront of the home audio industry when it comes to engineering, manufacturing, and delivering products that meet the most stringent quality standards while also providing amazing performance and exceptional value.

Rotel manufactures a comprehensive range of high performance, high value home audio components that will deliver all of the passion and detail that the artist intended.

Also, keep in mind that Rotel is a family-owned business that is not driven solely by profits, but rather by a genuine passion for music and audio technology. This passion is evident in every aspect of their business, from research and development to customer support and after-sales service. When you choose Rotel, you can be confident that you’re investing in a company that truly cares about the quality of their products and the satisfaction of their customers.

An unparalleled listening experience awaits you.

Engineers at Rotel credit their achievement in sound reproduction to their engineering philosophy known as the Balanced Design Concept—a rigorous synthesis of physical, electrical, and mechanical engineering disciplines. Parts selection, circuit topology, and critical evaluation are the three pillars of the Balanced Design Principle.

Every single item that goes into our devices is meticulously tested by our engineers to ensure that they are both reliable and acoustically superior. Despite the higher price tag, we believe that Rotel’s quality is superior to that of other well-known Hi-Fi makers.

Rotel RMB-1506 Distribution Power Amplifier
With this power amplifier, you can expand the audio system in your own home into three extra “zones,” ,rooms or channels. All you need to do is connect it to any of our surround preamp/processors.

Rotel RMB-1504 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier
Ongoing dedication to performance without compromise, RMB-1504 Class AB 4-channel amplifier builds on over 55 years of Rotel power amplifier design and manufacturing of HiFi electronics.

Rotel RMB-1555 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier
RMB-1555, despite being somewhat less powerful than its predecessor, has a very robust power supply and 5 x 120 Watts of amplification for each channel.

Rotel RMB-1585 Multi-Channel Power Amplifier
Both tremendous power and acoustic complexity are provided by Rotel’s RMB-1585, their latest flagship home theatre amplifier.

Rotel C8 Distribution Power Amplifier
Each of the C8’s eight channels may be fed into 4-ohm speaker loads with a bridge capable of 140 Watts per channel, providing excellent Class AB amplifier power.

Rotel RA-6000 Integrated Amplifier
The RA-6000 can take inputs from RCA, XLR, Moving Magnet Phono, Bluetooth aptX, TMHD/AAC, Coaxial, Optical, and PC-USB.

Rotel RB-1552 MKII Stereo Power Amplifier
As has been the case with Rotel electronics for more than 50 years, the RB-1552 MKII stereo amplifier was designed to give high-resolution home audio performance at a low price.

Rotel RB-1582 MKII Stereo Power Amplifier
At 200 watts per channel, Rotel’s stereo amplifier has enough power to drive even the biggest Hi-Fi systems with ease.

Rotel RB-15890 Stereo Power Amplifier
Refined, precise, and in spades. Using both channels, the new Rotel Class AB stereo power amplifier can provide 350 W into 8 ohms.

Rotel RC-1572 MKII Preamplifier
Rotel’s RC-1572MKII Preamplifier includes numerous acoustic modifications and optimisations for processing your favourite analogue and digital sources at an affordable price.

Rotel RC-1590 MKII Stereo Preamplifier
With a wide and open sound stage and astonishing clarity, the Rotel RC-1590 MKII reference preamplifier reproduces analogue and digital sources naturally.

Rotel A12 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
Clean lines and straightforward operation characterise the A12 integrated amplifier, which has output power ratings of 60 Watts per channel RMS into 8 ohms.

Rotel A11 Tribute Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The Bluetooth, RCA, and Moving Magnet Phono Stage inputs have been upgraded and fine-tuned to give a more expressive and accurate listening experience.

Rotel A14 MKII Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The A14MKII is the best model in Rotel’s 14 Series. It has 80 Watts of Class AB amplification into 8-ohm speakers and is powered by an oversized toroidal transformer and an array of 4 high-efficiency slit-foil bulk storage capacitors.

Rotel RA-1572 MKII Integrated Amplifier
The RA-1572 MKII Integrated Amplifier is a must-have for music lovers. It uses the best of Rotel’s analogue and digital technologies to bring music to life with exceptional fidelity.

Rotel Michi M8 Monoblock Power Amplifier
The Michi M8 Monoblock Rotel Amplifier puts out 1,080 watts of Class AB power into 8 ohms and an amazing 1,800 watts into the most demanding 4-ohm loudspeakers.

Rotel Michi S5 Stereo Power Amplifier
The Michi S5 Stereo Power Amplifier is the best linear amplifier in its class. It can send 500 watts of Class AB power to an 8-ohm load and more than 800 watts to a 4-ohm load.

Rotel Michi P5 Preamplifier
With a full set of analogue and digital source inputs, the Michi P5 Control Amplifier gives the best performance in audio processing.

Rotel Michi X5 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The Michi X5 Integrated Amplifier is called “Performance Redefined” because it can put an amazing 600 Watts of Class AB power into 4-ohm speakers, even when they are loaded very heavily.

Rotel RA-1592 MKII Integrated Amplifier
The RA-1592MKII proudly carries on the legacy and traditions of this legendary brand.

Rotel Michi X3 Stereo Integrated Amplifier
The Michi X3 Integrated Amplifier has a full range of source inputs, including Analog, Digital, PC-USB, XLR, apt-X Bluetooth, and a Moving Magnet Phono Stage connection for vinyl fans.

CD players
The Rotel CD14 MKII CD Player, Rotel RCD-1572 CD Player and the Rotel CD11 tribute CD Player are the focus of careful tweaks to bring out even the smallest details hidden in a CD’s pit spiral.

Distinction Audio has earned its reputation as the preferred Rotel retailer in New Zealand for several reasons, all stemming from our passion for sound and our commitment to delivering exceptional audio experiences to our customers.

Our knowledgeable and experienced team takes pride in offering the finest Rotel audio products, ensuring that you get the best audio components to suit your needs. We stay up-to-date with the latest Rotel releases, keeping our inventory well-stocked with the newest and most sought-after models. Our close relationship with the manufacturer also means that we can provide competitive pricing, making high-quality Rotel equipment more accessible to our customers.

As well as supplying top-notch products, Distinction Audio goes the extra mile to offer outstanding customer service. Our friendly staff is always available to provide guidance and support, whether you need help selecting the right Rotel components, troubleshooting an issue, or simply want some advice on getting the most out of your audio system. We believe that every customer should have access to expert guidance when investing in high-quality audio equipment, and we’re dedicated to making that happen.

Companies that make CD players still make new ones because audiophiles still want them.

A preamplifier, or preamp, is a device that processes and conditions weak electrical signals coming from sources like microphones, turntables, or other audio devices. It essentially boosts these signals to a level that can be handled by a power amplifier, while also allowing you to control the volume and adjust the tone of the audio. Preamps may also provide inputs for multiple audio sources and offer switching capabilities to select the desired input.

On the flip side, a power amplifier is all about giving the signal from the preamp enough oomph to drive passive speakers. Passive speakers need an external amp to give them power, while active speakers have their own built-in amps, so they don’t need a separate power amp.

So, in order to connect speakers to a preamp, you actually need to have a power Rotel amplifier in the mix as well. By connecting your speakers to the power amp, which is in turn connected to the preamp, you’ll achieve the proper amplification and be able to enjoy your music or other audio content.

Vinyl records have been around since the late 1800s, made of sturdy plastic that can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. If a scratch does happen, there are various methods to fix or minimise its impact on the playback.

Another cool thing about vinyl is that it’s more forgiving with little imperfections. A small scratch or bit of dust might cause a crackle or pop, but the music usually keeps playing just fine.

On the other hand, CDs are a digital format that emerged later as a more compact and convenient alternative to vinyl. CDs are made from a thinner, more fragile plastic material that is more susceptible to scratches and damage. Once a CD is scratched, the digital data stored on the disc can be compromised, causing the music to skip or freeze during playback. Plus, CDs can suffer from “disc rot,” which is when the reflective layer on the disc breaks down and makes the CD unplayable.

That being said, if you take good care of your CDs, they can still last a long time. Keep them in protective cases, only touch them by the edges, and don’t expose them to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. With a little TLC, both vinyl records and CDs can give you years of listening pleasure.

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