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Rotel RAP-1580MKII Surround Amplified Processor Preview

The RAP-1580MKII is what Rotel categorizes as a surround amplified processor, which is a home-theater processor, capable of processing 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround formats, with onboard integrated 7-channel Class AB amplifier of 100 Watts output power into 8-ohm loads (140 Watts into 4-ohm loads).

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It is short of being called an AV receiver by the lack of a radio tuner in the unit. The RAP-1580MKII comes with a USB measurement microphone for Dirac Live LE room correction technology, a feature that is intended to optimize performance at any setting. The RAP-1580MKII includes a vast array of audio inputs including analog (single-ended and balanced), HDMI with support for 4K video with HDCP 2.2 HDR digital, coax and optical digital, PC-USB with 24-bit/192-kHz processing capability, apt-X wireless Bluetooth, Moving Magnet Phono stage, and front panel iOS USB. The digital to analog conversion is handled by an array of 6 Wolfson 24-bit/192kHz DAC chips. A large front panel display provides easy adjustments of all configuration parameters. Rotel’s RAP-1580MKII carries an MSRP of $4999. My upcoming review will provide an in-depth look into the features and performance of the unit as a home-entertainment solution.

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Rotel RAP-1580MKII front

Rotel RAP-1580MKII rear

Yongki Go, Ph.D.

Yongki considers himself as an aerospace engineer by day and an audio/home-theater enthusiast by night/weekend. He earned his doctoral degree in aerospace engineering from MIT in 1999 and has pursued a career in academia before changing path to join the aerospace industry. He has been writing for SECRETS since its early years, but was on hiatus during the few years when he was living overseas. He has been actively writing for SECRETS again not long after his return to the US in 2012. Although his field of expertise is in aerospace control systems as exemplified by more than 80 technical articles in various aerospace-related journals and conferences, his passion has always been in hi-fi audio reproduction. It is this continued passion for audio that has kept him as a long-time member of the SECRETS team.