Rotel Bows Flexible 2-Channel Receiver

3-Sep-03

Rotel America has introduced a new stereo receiver to its lineup. The RX-1052, a simple, superbly musical design, combines audiophile-grade stereo sonics with basic video-switching features. And marking the RX-1052 most clearly as a departure from the routine-aside from the audio quality and ergonomic simplicity that are expected of any new Rotel-is its quietly powerful multiroom capability. The RX-1052 delivers 100-watt stereo via two sets of audiophile-grade four-way speaker outputs, for selectable speakers ìAî and ìB.î Far more unusually, it also incorporates no less than three sets of ìzoneî outputs, each routing independently source-selectable and volume-controlled stereo line-level audio and composite video. With a suitable multichannel amplifier (such as Rotelís own excellent six-channel RMB-1066), the RX-1052 can furnish as many as four remotely located rooms or zones with dynamic and musically accurate stereo sound and basic video. And these are eminently controllable, via the RX-1052ís three independent IR links and 12-volt trigger outputs. It even supplies a fully addressable RS-232 serial port, for interfacing touchscreen and other media controllers, as well as upgradeable microprocessor software.While Rotel clearly conceived the RX-1052 as a music-listening component, its designers conceded that the integration of basic video functions for occasional use would contribute considerable convenience. These comprise switching, with composite-video outputs for the main plus all three remote zones, and corresponding video inputs routed alongside four of its eight (total) inputs. Among these are two with A-V record-out loops for recording components such as VCRs or DVD-Rs (on the audio-only side, the four audio-only inputs include a tape-loop for audio recording). And because Rotel recognizes the continuing value of vinyl LPs, the receiver includes a phono input for a turntable; a purpose-designed, high-quality moving-magnet preamp section that is a far cry from the IC afterthoughts typical of those few receivers today that bother to retain a phonograph input at all. The sensitive AM/FM tuner section incorporates excellent selectivity, for clean-sounding radio even in dense urban locations, and the convenience of 30-preset tuning.Of course, features and facilities are of little value if underlying sonic performance is lacking. But since the RX-1052 is a classic Rotel design, it was engineered to meet Rotelís renowned ìBalanced Designî standards, so that every stage, and every internal component is assured to contribute to the unitís overall audible excellence. Like all Rotel receivers and amps the RX-1052 boasts a massive, ìover-engineeredî power supply for ultra-stable voltage and current supply, and custom-specified storage capacitors for pristine supply purity. Fully discrete, very-high-current output devices, with ultra-fast, highly linear driver and line-amp circuitry, guarantees exceptional sonic quality with the dynamic impact and detailed imaging for which Rotel components are justly famous. The new RX-1052 is finished in matte black or black-and-silver front panels. It is supplied with a multicomponent, full-system remote controller. Availability is October 2004, and the Suggested Retail Price will be $899For more information, visit www.rotel.com.

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