Rotel Roundup
The Silver Underdogs
Rotels don't get a lot of attention so I thought I'd share my Rotel collection. Enjoy!!
The RX-1603 with 185 wpc, was introduced in 1976 and it briefly held the title of most powerful receiver in the world. The RX-1603 can be separated into two parts ala Sansui G-22000 and 33000. I haven't done this but I've seen pictures and it looks awkward. They are both decent sounding machines and can pump volume. Bass is emphasized, especially in the RX-1203 (120 watts) with its single pair of 63v 22,000uF caps. The 1603 amp is better built so more detail is available but bass still rules the day. The 1203 and 1603 are the most collectible of Rotel’s receivers with the RX-1603 becoming increasingly rare as collectors lock them up as keepers.
The RX-1203 and RX-1603 are IMO the best looking Rotels out there and have an industrial deco look that is hard to beat. Kajguy03 (member at Monster Audio) described the 1603 as looking like a battleship and I agree. The 1203 with its expansive grey top looks like an aircraft carrier. Although the dial and switch layout of the two are nearly identical, the circuit boards are completely different. Both of these machines are built like tanks with not a splinter of wood in sight nor even offered for that matter. And, they feature standard rack handles, which is rare for a receiver. Turn the knobs and feel the thick faceplate and you will know where Rotel spent the development budget. Peek inside and you will see a spider’s nest of wiring and circuit boards. Definitely not the clinical internal design seen inside a Pioneer SX-1250.
The RX-504 is significant for being one of the few black-faced Rotels of the era. Unlike the supposedly higher up RX-803 and RX-603, the 504 has an all metal face and metal switch covers giving it the look and feel of quality. Surprisingly, the RX-504 features power meters that are shockingly absent in the TOTL RX-1603. At 40 wpc, it is a mini monster.
The second photo shows my RX-603. This one has the family look but plastic for the dial surround and for the rack handles smack of cheapness. The thickness of the faceplate is about half that of the RX-1603. Sound is competent but not memorable. If you have to have Rotel, best to save a little longer and go for the RX-1203 or get a second job and bid for a RX-1603. The similarly built RX-803 (75 watts) is not much better than the RX-603 (50 watts) but it is more powerful.
RT-1024 (top), RA-1312 (bottom) The better Rotel separates have the same family look as the RX-1603. The ones to go for are the RA-1312 (80 watts), RA-1412 (120 watts), and the RT-1024 tuner. The RT-1024 and RA-1312 paired look fabulous. Again, the all brush metal look is relentless in an almost clinical manner. Surprisingly, the RT-1024 looks better paired with the MOTL 1312 amp because they are the same width and height. The more powerful 1412 is wider. The tuner sounds great through the 1312 amp.
The RA-1412 is overbuilt for a 120 wpc integrated amp. It has the same power rating as the RX-1203 but unlike the 1203, the 1412 features a dual mono layout with two conventional transformers and a pair of 22,000 uF filters per channel. Big bouncy meters and thick rack handles complete the look. Like the flagship RX-1603 receiver, the controls are a tactile delight. The volume pot is especially smooth and very easy to modulate.
Written by SoCal Sam
