Audio Video News

Rotel’s Bows Home Theater Processor—its Finest Yet

SV Staff  |  Apr 5, 2017

Rotel has introduced a multichannel integrated amplifier with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround processing for enthusiasts who want separates performance but don’t have space for multiple components.

Slated to arrive in retail stores this month, the RAP-1580 ($3,800) combines a 7 x 100-watt Class A/B amplifier section—rated with all channels driven into 8 ohms—with a 7.1.4 surround processor in a standard-width chassis 8 inches tall and 18.5 inches deep with a 7-inch TFT display.

The RAP-1580 supports 4K video and is HDMI 2.0a-compliant in addition to using high-performance Wolfson 192-kHz/24-bit digital-to-analog converters for all channels supported by “premium-grade audio parts in circuits tuned by Rotel’s acoustic engineering team in the U.K.”

Connections include eight HDMI inputs—one on the front panel—and two HDMI outputs with three of the inputs and both outputs enabled with HDCP 2.2, a front-panel iPod USB input with 2.1A charging, a PC-USB input supporting 192-kHz/24-bit audio, an MM phono input, CD input, XLR balanced input, tuner input, three auxiliary analog inputs, and a multichannel input.

The processor/amp also supports Bluetooth/aptX streaming and offers a “full suite of custom integration features.”

“This is our finest home theater product yet,” said Doug Henderson, U.S. President of The B&W Group. “While it resembles a receiver, it really is in a class by itself.”

For more information, visit rotel.com.

COMMENTS
pirroplato's picture
Submitted by pirroplato on April 5, 2017 - 6:10am

I have no doubts this is a fine product, everything by Rotel is. But they're always a step behind the curve. Only having 3 HDCP2.2 inputs is really short-sighted, especially if you're talking about a nearly $4000 receiver (sorry Rotel, it's a receiver). Rotel is betting that you'll never have more than 3 2.2 sources. I know it's going to be a while before that's common place but you're not going to want to replace a receiver this nice after 3 years.

Philt56's picture
Submitted by Philt56 on October 14, 2017 - 7:55pm

I agree, are they really saving money not putting hdcp 2.2 on all the ports? As soon as we have 4k dvrs, that limitation is hit easily. Just saw the review in the latest issue, mentions hdr support, but what about Dolby Vision? This needs to be something specified always now.

X