Following hot on the heels of the recent outstanding review of Rotel’s RC-1570, RCD-1570 and RB-1552MKII system in The Absolute Sound (April 2014), comes another over-the-top recommendation in the May/June issue for the RDD-1580 DAC.
Some of the most notable excerpts are below:
The Absolute Sound – May / June 2014 – Reviewer – Spencer Holbert
“… the new $799 Rotel RDD-1580, with its myriad inputs and superb design, represents an affordable option that won’t become obsolete in a few years. Plus the RDD-1580 is more than just a checklist of features; it’s a true hi-fi component with gripping sonics that run with the best of ’em without running you into debt.”
“Unless you are getting into DSD, this DAC has everything you need to rule the digital world.”
“When I listened to the RDD-1580, it was obvious that Rotel always had high-quality analog sound as its goal.”
“What’s amazing about the RDD-1580 is that it took the massive amount of sound from Solar Fields’ Movements and translated it into a beautiful soundscape that was far wider and deeper than that of my comparison DAC, which retails for about the same price. On “Sol,” the first track of the album, the bass seemed to rip from the ground and leap into my chair, while simultaneously the high-frequency zips-and-zaps flew from beyond the outer edges of the speakers to land centerstage, dance in mid-air, then retreat well to the rear.”
“Yes, I’m going on record and saying that if you have $800 and have to choose between vinyl and digital, buy the RDD-1580 first.”
“Another really cool feature is that you can stream music via Bluetooth when the supplied Bluetooth adaptor is plugged in to the front-panel USB input.”
“It is by far the best DAC that I’ve heard in this price range, and probably would beat out most DACs double or triple its price.”
“But if you are looking for a DAC that costs even $2500, don’t overlook the RDD-1580. I definitely hope Rotel will let me hang on to this one a while longer.”