Integrated Amp Reviews

Rotel RA-6000 integrated amplifier Specifications

Sidebar 1: Specifications

Description: Solid state stereo integrated amplifier with DAC. Analog inputs: 1 pair balanced (XLR), 4 pair unbalanced (RCA). Digital inputs: 1 aptX/AAC wireless Bluetooth; 3 RCA, 3 coaxial, 3 TosLink S/PDIF; 1 Ethernet, 1 asynchronous PC-USB up to 32/384; 2 trigger ports. Outputs: 4 pairs of 3-way speaker binding posts: 2 for Speaker A and 2 for Speaker B; mono subwoofer and preamplifier out; 12V trigger; USB Power Port; RS232 connector for custom integration; 1/8" (3mm) unbalanced headphone output on the front panel. Output power: 200Wpc (RMS) into 8 ohms (23dBW), 350Wpc (maximum at 1% THD) into 4 ohms (22.4dBW).
Dimensions: 17" (432mm) W × 5.7" (145mm) H × 16" (406mm) D. Weight 44.5lb (18.8kg).
Finish: Black or Silver.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 265-2181025. Designed in Japan, built in China.
Price: $4499. Approximate number of US dealers: 135. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: The Rotel Co. Ltd., Tachikawa Building 1F, 2-11-4, Nakane, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan 152-0031. Email: sales@rotelglobal.com. Web: rotel.com. US distributor: Fine Sounds Americas, 11763 95th Ave., Maple Grove, MN 55369. Tel: (510) 843-4500. Email: service@sumikoaudio.net. Web: finesounds.com.

COMPANY INFO
The Rotel Co. Ltd.
US distributor: Fine Sounds Americas
11763 95th Ave.
Maple Grove, MN 55369
service@sumikoaudio.net
(510) 843-4500
finesounds.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on February 3, 2023 - 1:51pm

"PCM5242 chip, which allows conversion of PCM data at sample rates up to 192kHz but no DSD conversion."

No great loss I believe for the higher end of the market, seeing most recordings are done originally in PCM.
Texas Instruments would have included it into the PCM5242 if they thought it was equal or better.

It would be interesting to see which you prefer Herb playing say 24bit Redbook PCM CD's using Rotel DT-6000 CD player if you still have it as the source which does have a DSD ESS dac in it, and then using the spdif output of the DT6000 switching on the fly to the PCM dac digital in the Rotel RA 6000??? Hopefully Rotel matched the ESS v PCM output analog levels., so there's no need to touch the volume control of the amp.
My money's on the PCM5242 dac in the amp sounding better.

Cheers George

John Atkinson's picture
Submitted by John Atkinson on February 4, 2023 - 4:37am
georgehifi wrote:
It would be interesting to see which you prefer Herb playing say 24bit Redbook PCM CD's using Rotel DT-6000 CD player...

CDs are limited to a word length of 16 bits. DVD-As store 24-bit data but the Rotel player can't play these.

John Atkinson
Technical Editor, Stereophile

georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on February 4, 2023 - 2:34pm

I meant use the DT as a player full ESS analog out into an analog input of the RA, and also use the DT's coax digital output into the digital in of the RA, and switch between the two. Just playing the cd in the DT.
Then everything is the same except for the d/a chips.

My money's on the PCM5242 dac in the amp sounding better.

Cheers George

rl1856's picture
Submitted by rl1856 on February 7, 2023 - 11:16am

A one box solution generally includes compromises. The key is determining where the compromises were made, and if you can live with them. HR carefully explained the differences he heard between the internal DAC, and several outboard DACS. While the Rotel DAC is fine, greater resolution could be achieved when using an outboard DAC. Great information. However, HR does not spend as much time or give as much information regarding the phono stage. Just a mention of 2 cartridges, and how they compare to each other. No mention of how the internal MM stage compares to other phono stages, which is information that would benefit many prospective buyers. Overall this is a good, but not great review, of a good, but not great component.

Dorsia777's picture
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 7, 2023 - 2:21pm

I can’t tell if this review is giving the RA6000 a “way to go little buddy…you’re almost there!” Or, praising Rotel for finally figuring out how to make a product that celebrates leaving the world of Mid-Fi for which it has been constantly pigeonholed…

Howard Swayne's picture
Submitted by Howard Swayne on February 8, 2023 - 2:41pm

A country which wants to destroy our way of life. HARD PASS, buy American, or at least European or Japanese.

Dorsia777's picture
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 9, 2023 - 1:28pm

Please tell me you made that comment while using an IPad or a smartphone

Howard Swayne's picture
Submitted by Howard Swayne on February 9, 2023 - 1:52pm

No, its a 15 year old HP, likely made in China. I didnt know any better at the time. when it gets replace Ill do more research and hopefully we will have brought more of our manufacturing home. I know this is an audio forum and not a political one, but I treasure our way of life, my father's generation fought Nazis, now we fight communism. Communism is a disease that needs to be eradicated from the earth with extreme prejudice.

Edited to add: Just because we've been making mistakes that's no reason to continue. Two wrongs dont make a right.

Dorsia777's picture
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 9, 2023 - 2:11pm

Yeah, I feel quite similar to your stance.

I was very anti-Rotel for some time until I heard the newer models over the last year. The duality of loyalty vs my wallet!

Howard Swayne's picture
Submitted by Howard Swayne on February 9, 2023 - 3:00pm

its tough. I wanted to buy a small hand mirror and had to search for a couple months. I was finally at a glass shop and found one make in Canada. Paid more but everytime I use it I feel better.

They have actually gotten to the point some of their gear is good, but I just have real trouble knowing my $$$ are going to people who want to enslave me, or worse. I certainly feel compassion for the Chines people who suffer. Be well.

Dorsia777's picture
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 9, 2023 - 4:12pm

Two people with different view points, engaging and finding common ground. No one was hurt or offended to death. Just two people that appreciate the finer sounding things in life. Same to you.

Howard Swayne's picture
Submitted by Howard Swayne on February 9, 2023 - 4:33pm

Countries, America included, rise and fall, but (God) bless our freedom.

ok's picture
Submitted by ok on February 11, 2023 - 3:22pm

..as long as you pay your multi-trillion chinese dept first.

Dorsia777's picture
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 15, 2023 - 8:33am

The company is Japanese and the company is family run. And it also has a factory, that while in China, is owned by Rotel.

georgehifi's picture
Submitted by georgehifi on February 15, 2023 - 3:08pm

Actually… new
Submitted by Dorsia777 on February 16, 2023 - 3:33am
"The company is Japanese and the company is family run. And it also has a factory, that while in China, is owned by Rotel Japan."

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%F0%9F%91%8D#/media/File:Emoji_u1f44d.svg

I wanted to say the same as most stuff these days from USA owned companies, are made in China, but I thought the red necks will chuck a mental, lets see what happens.

Cheers George

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