• Thread starter Wolfgang Amadeus
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Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
Hi Everyone,

I am torn between Yamaha AS-2200 VS Rotel RA1592 (or RA1572 +RB1590 Separates) for my DALI Speakers. Could you shed some light on their characteristic differences in terms of sonic performance? Thanks in advance.
 
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PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
I thought it shouldn't be a difficult decision because if you need more power, it will be the RB1590. In that case, it would be better to pair it with the RC1572, not the RA1572. If it is not about power, then you can just choose the one that looks better to you, for me it would be the AS-2200 and I like the fact that it is a plan integrated amp, without the DAC, that I would much prefer to choose my own instead of forced to pay the one I may not prefer.

Other than that, I see that neither has SOTA specs but both should have distortions low enough to be below the threshold of audibility. I am bias, if I were to spend $4,000 to $6,000, I would go with something that have SOTA specs and measurements, probably something like the AHB2+ a preamp that has the specs to match, and a separate DAC. DACs that are built in (such as the Rotel's) are typically, or never picked from the flagship models of the major brands such as AKM, ESS Sabre, TI, Cirrus Logic etc., so I doubt that Rotel would be any exception.
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
Jaysus, that RB1590 is a beast! I see it's rated to handle 4 Ohm speakers but didn't see a power spec.
 
W

Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
I thought it shouldn't be a difficult decision because if you need more power, it will be the RB1590. In that case, it would be better to pair it with the RC1572, not the RA1572. If it is not about power, then you can just choose the one that looks better to you, for me it would be the AS-2200 and I like the fact that it is a plan integrated amp, without the DAC, that I would much prefer to choose my own instead of forced to pay the one I may not prefer.

Other than that, I see that neither has SOTA specs but both should have distortions low enough to be below the threshold of audibility. I am bias, if I were to spend $4,000 to $6,000, I would go with something that have SOTA specs and measurements, probably something like the AHB2+ a preamp that has the specs to match, and a separate DAC. DACs that are built in (such as the Rotel's) are typically, or never picked from the flagship models of the major brands such as AKM, ESS Sabre, TI, Cirrus Logic etc., so I doubt that Rotel would be any exception.
Thank you. I always felt that it would be hard to find a hi-end DAC to match the beauties like Yamaha and Rotel Any silver chassis DAC comes to mind to match Yamaha as-2200 or Rotel RC1572? I take it you are in favor of a separate DAC? Not sure about the quality of built-in DACs in Yamaha and Rotel.
 
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Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
Jaysus, that RB1590 is a beast! I see it's rated to handle 4 Ohm speakers but didn't see a power spec.
I know...But the fact that Rotel is produced in China and Yamaha is in Japan makes me lean towards Yamaha. There is something about Chinese production that repels me.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
I know...But the fact that Rotel is produced in China and Yamaha is in Japan makes me lean towards Yamaha. There is something about Chinese production that repels me.
How do you feel about Malaysia where the Yamaha is made?
 
Alex2507

Alex2507

Audioholic Slumlord
was were anything wrong with 975?
You could say that. Aside from my thread in the amp/prepro forum (linked in my sig) about the 975 specifically, their response to having their update brick my 975 has them on my sh!t list permanently. Other threads here at AH and at AVS also indicate some issues.

I wouldn't take my word to mean much myself but M Code had this to say:
 
P

PENG

Audioholic Slumlord
Thank you. I always felt that it would be hard to find a hi-end DAC to match the beauties like Yamaha and Rotel Any silver chassis DAC comes to mind to match Yamaha as-2200 or Rotel RC1572? I take it you are in favor of a separate DAC? Not sure about the quality of built-in DACs in Yamaha and Rotel.
As I mentioned, the as-2200 does not come with dac and that's a big plus imo. The Rotel likely have the AK4458 or AK4490 (at the most) that is found in many mid range avrs.

I have 3 ext silver color dacs but two are Oppo's who is no longer in the dac business. You can look to Topping, smsl and many other choices. Audiosciencereview.com has bench tested tons of them.
 
W

Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
As I mentioned, the as-2200 does not come with dac and that's a big plus imo. The Rotel likely have the AK4458 or AK4490 (at the most) that is found in many mid range avrs.

I have 3 ext silver color dacs but two are Oppo's who is no longer in the dac business. You can look to Topping, smsl and many other choices. Audiosciencereview.com has bench tested tons of them.
Thanks a lot. I did not know that. I looked at the RME ADI-2 DAC. It looks superb. But it is not a streamer. It is just plain DAC though, correct me if I am mistaken. Wouldnt it be better to go for a high-quality streaming DAC instead?
 
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Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
Yamaha owns their factories and do not share assembly lines with other manufactures. Its still a Yamaha factory with Yamaha QC.
That is good to know.thanks.
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Thanks a lot. I did not know that. I looked at the RME ADI-2 DAC. It looks superb. But it is not a streamer. It is just plain DAC though, correct me if I am mistaken. Wouldnt it be better to go for a high-quality streaming DAC instead?
The RME ADI-2 might be overkill unless you're also needing the ADC aspects. Did very well in ASR measurements, and was noted as a good headphone amp, too. I'd go thru the various reviews at asr if dac shopping, tho....easy enough to add streaming capabilities from a variety of devices.
 
W

Wolfgang Amadeus

Audiophyte
As I mentioned, the as-2200 does not come with dac and that's a big plus imo. The Rotel likely have the AK4458 or AK4490 (at the most) that is found in many mid range avrs.

I have 3 ext silver color dacs but two are Oppo's who is no longer in the dac business. You can look to Topping, smsl and many other choices. Audiosciencereview.com has bench tested tons of them.
AK4499 and ES9038Pro are considered the flagship chips in the industry as of now, correct? I got some recommendations to go for gustard x16 or A18.
 
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