Pumping Up The Volume
The Age
Thursday May 27, 2004
Greg Borrowman finds an amplifier with an integrated approach and plenty of control.
SOUND quality isn't everything. Even audiophiles who select equipment based on performance and features would prefer their components to look the same. But achieving this is difficult because most hi-fi manufacturers specialise in one type of component.
Rotel is an exception. Its new RA-1062 stereo integrated amplifier has all the controls you'd expect, plus an infra-red remote that controls them all and adds a mute function. But rather than provide separate bass, treble and loudness controls, Rotel has integrated all three functions into one contour control. Select L1 or L2 and the amp will boost the bass by 3 or 4dB. To boost the treble, set the switch to H. LH is a combination of the L2 and H settings. The advantage of this is that it prevents users from overloading their speakers by turning a bass tone control to maximum while a loudness contour control is active.
The amplifier has a phono circuit, so you can connect a turntable, and an independent record circuit, so you can listen to one source while recording from another.
As well as playing back CDs, Rotel's RCD-1072 CD player supports an unusual CD format known as HDCD (High Definition Compatible Digital), developed by US-based firm Pacific Microsonics.
HDCD discs provide increased dynamic range and a more natural sound quality than ordinary CDs, but few are available in Australia and only about 6000 are available overseas (a complete list is posted on the net at www.hdcd.com).
When playing CDs, you can program up to 20 tracks in your preferred order or skip tracks you don't like. Once you've programmed a disc and played it, you can play the same selection by pressing play again without reprogramming.
Rotel rates the RA-1062 at 60 watts per channel. An independent test showed the review amp put out 85 watts into 8-ohm speakers and 120 watts into 4-ohm speakers - a handy increase. The CD drive in the RCD-1072 played back all ordinary CDs, even scratched ones, as well as home-recorded CD-Rs, but refused to play some home-recorded CD-RWs.
Sound quality of this pair was impressive, with solid, well-formed bass lines underpinning a balanced mid-range and extended treble.
There was no background hiss or hum and the tone was as pure at high volume as it was at low background levels. There was plenty of power, even when we connected two pairs of speakers.
Greg Borrowman is the editor of Australian HI-FI Magazine.
AT A GLANCE
PRODUCT Rotel RA-1062 Amplifier/RCD-1072 CD Player
PRICE $1099/$899
DISTRIBUTOR International Dynamics
EMAIL id@internationaldynamics.com.au
WEB www.internationaldynamics.com.au
© 2004 The Age