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Following the addition of its 14 Series of components in October last year, Rotel has been hard at work on models further up its hi-fi hierarchy with three new stereo-only 15 Series  components – plus a multi-channel surround amplifier, the  RAP-1590 (£3,395) – aimed at aficionados looking to make the next step up.

First up, the RC-1572 two-channel preamplifier (£945) is ideally suited to match with one of the company's existing 15 Series stereo power amplifiers. The new preamp is fitted with relay switching for analogue sources (rather than IC based), which claims to ensure the integrity of the signal path for analogue inputs that include XLRs, 4x RCA and a moving-magnet phono stage. Its 32-bit AKM4495 DAC handles optical and coaxial inputs (up to 24-bit/192kHz), and USB up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM as well as DSD128. There's Bluetooth aptX support too. 

Next up, the RA-1572 integrated amplifier (£1,395) is a Class AB design claiming 2x 120W into 8ohm. The built-in digital-to-analogue converter supports 32-bit/384kHz PCM and up to DSD128 via USB. There's Bluetooth aptX, a front USB port with charging for Apple devices, a moving-magnet phono stage, plus 3x RCA, 1x XLR, 2x optical and 2x coaxial inputs for connectivity to all home sources and devices. A mono subwoofer output and stereo pre-outputs are also available.  

The RCD-1572 CD player (£845) calls upon Rotel’s 35 years of experience designing, manufacturing and refining CD technology and uses a new purpose-designed dedicated CD mechanism with a smooth-loading tray action. It shows CD metadata via the front display and upgrades on the RCD-1570's chipset with a 24-bit/ 192kHz Wolfson WM8740 digital-to-analogue converter. It has both RCA and XLR output connections, plus there's a coaxial digital output. All 15 Series models employ Rotel's own factory-built toroidal transformer, are sonically tuned in the UK and available in black or sliver finishes. Look out for our RA-1572 and RCD-1572 reviews from the October issue.

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