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Rotel RA-1212 phono stage?

W

wino007

New Member
Hi Guys
I have an option on a newly refurbed RA-1212 - mint condition. Realty beautiful. I am all about vinyl so an opinion on the phono stage is very important - it is a long distance purchase so an audition is not possible - have been searching for ages to no avail.......anyone owned one / listened to one or similar Rotel from that period? Mid to late '70's. Last amp was a Pioneer A-70 and currently a Sony STR930 QS as the babysitter while on the search for my new one.
Thanks
Wayne.
 
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Are you sure it's not the 1312? I had that model integrated a few years ago along with the matching Rotel tuner. I had just sold my Kenny 9100 and this 1312 came up to take it's place with the nice looking meters. I thought it was an average sounding integrated nothing special and I can't remember if I ever used the phono section. I do remember it was not as good sounding as the Kenny 9100 and it didn't last long here. If the Rotel you're looking at has been completely gone over though it may be on a higher level than the all original one I had..
 
Yeah, it is the 1212......just cannot dig up any performance info on it! Frustrating! Especially since it is in such great condition and will be be getting a complete assessment and service / overhaul as needed.

Rotel AR-1212

Rotel AR-1212

  • Media owner wino007
  • Date added
 
w007: Nice looking amp with good feature-set. Concluding from the schematic, I'd deem its phono section to be pretty decent.

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
 
Not much help here, but I bought an RX-855 dual mono receiver because I needed an MC phono stage. It sounded really good (for the money I paid for the receiver), except it would make an electronic "fart" sound (a low C) every couple of minutes.
 
Download the manual from Rotel which includes the schematic: http://www.rotel.com/sites/default/files/product/manuals/RA-1212-OM.pdf

The phono section is a MM only, all discrete design. The fact that it has sensitivity and impedance selection gives me more confidence. The power amp output of 100W/Ch into 4 ohms is also a good indication. But the final judgement is your listening.

If you are all about vinyl, I will strongly encourage you to look into separates and avoid 1970 gears from Japan. Some of the high quality, mid price brand include Adcom, NAD, Parasound. Some Marantz, Nikko and Rotel may be good too. Look carefully and avoid all IC phono stage.
 
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