Opinions on Rotel RC-1570 and Parasound Halo P5 pre-amps?

[Seppo]

I am currently using Onkyo A-9070 integrated as a pre-amp, driving Emotiva SA-250 and Infinity RS-II's. The Emo amp seems like a good match having enough oomph (400 wpc at 4 Ohm) to drive the nominal 3 Ohm Infinity's. So I am happy with that part of the chain at the moment.

So now I want to upgrade the pre-amp to something more appropriate. My budget is around $1000. I want to buy new or under warranty. I need multiple digital and analog inputs, phono stage, and good internal DAC. And I want a pure 2-channel pre-amp that is built for audiophiles. Rotel seems to fit the bill, and my local audio store has it in stock.

Would anyone have any experience / opinion on Rotel RC-1570 pre-amp? Specs here:
http://www.rotel.com/NA/Products/ProductDetails.htm?Id=515

Or are there other pre-amps in that price range that would be worth checking out? People seem to like Parasound Halo P5 as well.

 

[Seppo]

Bump!

Any Rotel RC-1570 owners?

 

[faber12]

I have some Rotel gear, and I love it! I don't have that model though, sorry. I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

[gladiator335]

I have Parasoud Halo P3 and love it! Great sounding preamplifier.
Can't comment on this particula Rotel, but I had another one (I believe RC-1070).
It was fine, but somehow very "dry" sounding to my ears at least.

 

[Seppo]

This review compares Rotel RC-1570 to Parasound P5:
http://www.goodsound.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/561-rotel-rc-1570-preamplifier-dac

"...The other big difference is in the two products’ sounds. Like its power-amp mate, Rotel’s RB-1582 MkII, which has kept it company in my system, the higher-tech-feeling RC-1570 has a surprisingly warm, analog-like sound that worked very well with my B&W 801s. Behind its faceplate’s more traditional analog dials and controls, the Parasound Halo P 5 produces a more precisely analytical sound that I found more accurate, with deeper lows and better-controlled highs. The Halo P 5 was able to produce a uniform sound throughout the audioband. But the Rotel RC-1570 maintained its warm and very alluring sound through most of the audioband that I found hard not to enjoy when I wanted a comforting sound.

Conclusion

When, a few years ago, I decided to start a second run in audio, my system included a tubed preamplifier from Audio Research that I’d had for some 15 years. The Rotel RC-1570 reminds me of the sound I had during that long stretch: warm and very comfortable, with bass that’s firm but not as precise as that from similarly priced, all-solid-state preamps. I never found tubes to be the finicky nuisances they’re often claimed to be, and my ARC preamp had a sweet, fat midrange sound that the solid-state gear of that time couldn’t duplicate. But time has moved on, and so has solid-state. The warm sound and comprehensive feature set of Rotel’s RC-1570 should keep its buyers happy for many years...."

 

[sqlsavior]

If your local store would let you borrow one overnight, or has a satisfaction guarantee, some time with the Rotel would let you know if it's for you.

The RC-1570 looks good on paper. My friend sure likes his Rotel HT pre-pro, as I did when it was mine. But only listening will tell you for sure, as I'm sure you know.

 

[day67]

Agreed, there's no better way to know if the gear fits until it's auditioned.

In my situation auditioning wasn't possible so I did the next best thing - I read all the reviews I could and settled on the Rotel RB 1552 Mk II amp and the Parasound P5. Most of what I read really suggested that the Rotel would be on the warm side and the combo of the Rotel preamp would add warmth. Being that I really like a more crisp, less warm, analytical sound I had to wrestle with my purchase.

I became interested in the Parasound P 5 along the way and it seemed this Preamp was maybe a touch or 2 more to my liking if the reviews were anywhere near the reality - less warm than the Rotel Pre. Needed the tone control override.
As it turned out the Rotel amp and the P5 make a great combination. Still a bit warm sounding but no lack of detail or that crisp sound I had hoped would be there. The earlier post here is spot on to what I experienced the P5 as. Tight bass and to appease my need for a brighter crisper treble, the treble control feature was perfect.

An apples to oranges comparison to what your OP was asking but maybe helpful none-the-less, FWIW.