RC-1590 MKII

Reference audio systems deserve reference audio equipment. The Rotel RC-1590MKII is exactly that - a reference preamplifier rending analog and digital sources with natural expression in a wide and open sound stage in stunning clarity.

The RC-1590MKII proudly continues Rotel’s 60-year legacy and heritage with their ongoing promises of performance, value, and unwavering commitment to quality. Authentic, engaging, and spacious – the RC-1590MKII proudly represents this iconic brand.

The heart of the RC-1590MKII begins with the power supply featuring dual in-house manufacture toroidal transformers. The transformers are physically and electrically isolated supplying dedicated analog and digital supply voltages to all critical circuits through low ESR slit-foil capacitors eliminating unwanted distortion and an extremely low noise floor.

Digital source inputs are processed utilizing an audiophile-grade Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz Digital to Audio Converter (DAC) with custom-engineered, proprietary acoustically tuned external output filter circuits rendering even the finest details with exceptional clarity and exact positing.

Analog signal paths feature DIRECT-PATH bypass modes eliminating unnecessary circuits maintaining signal integrity and further eliminating unwanted noise and distortion drawing you even closer and immersing you in the music.

The RC-1590MKII supports a full array of inputs ensuring connection to your favorite sources including a Moving Magnet Phono input for vinyl lovers, Analog, Digital, XLR Balanced, high-quality aptXTM and AAC wireless Bluetooth, and PC-USB (32-bit/384kHz) supporting MQA unfolding and rendering as well as certified Roon Tested.

Dual RCA and XLR output connections provide the ultimate flexibility including bi-amplification installations. A subwoofer output is also included.

Details & Specs

General Specifications

• Total Harmonic Distortion (20 Hz-20k Hz) - < 0.002%
• Intermodulation Distortion (60 Hz: 7k Hz, 4:1) - < 0.002%
• Input Sensitivity / Impedance -
  • Phono Input (MM) - 2.5 mV / 47k ohms
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA) - 150 mV / 100k ohms
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR) - 250 mV / 100k ohms
• Input Overload -
  • Phono Input - 64 mV
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA) - 4 V
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR) - 5.5 V
• Output Level -
  • Line Level (RCA) - 1 V
  • Balance (XLR) - 2 V
• Frequency Response -
  • Phono Input - 20 Hz-20k Hz (+0.3 dB, -0.2 dB)
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA) - 10 Hz-100k Hz (+0 dB, -0.1 dB)
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR) - 10 Hz-100k Hz (+0 dB, -0.1 dB)
• Tone Controls -
  • Bass - ±10 dB at 100 Hz
  • Treble - ±10 dB at 10k Hz
• Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF “A” weighted) -
  • Phono Input - 80 dB
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA) - 117 dB
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR) - 115 dB
• Channel Separation -
  • Phono Input - > 85 dB
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA) - > 85 dB
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR) - > 75 dB

Digital Section

• Frequency Response - 20 Hz - 20k Hz (0 ± 0.5 dB, Max)
• Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF “A” weighted) - 108 dB
• Input Sensitivity/Impedance - 0 dBFs / 75 ohms
• Preamplifier Output Level - 1.65 V (at - 20 dB)
• Coaxial/Optical Digital Signals - SPDIF LPCM (up to 24-bit / 192k Hz)
• PC-USB -
  • USB Audio Class 1.0 (up to 24-bit / 96k Hz )
  • USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 32-bit / 384k Hz )* *Driver installation required
  • MQA and MQA Studio (up to 24-bit / 384k Hz )
  • Roon Tested
• Power Requirements - 120 V, 60 Hz
• Power Consumption - 45 watts
• Standby Power Consumption - < 0.5 watts
• BTU - 78 BTU/h
• Dimensions (W x H x D) - 17 x 5^11/16 x 13^7/9" (431 x 144 x 348 mm)
• Front Panel Height - 3U / 5^1/4" / 132.6mm
• Weight (net) - 22.27 lbs (10.1 kg)
• Finish - Silver and Black

Manuals & Downloads

Rotel RC-1590 MKII Owner's Manual