Amplificatore Nad VS Rotel RA 1592/RA6000

[Alexx]

Good morning.

I would like to change my Nad C399 amplifier

Among those that have the characteristics I'm looking for, I've seen:

Rotel 1592 MK2 (about 2000 euros)
Rotel RA 6000 (3400 Euros)

Do you think the timbre is comparable to the Nad 399?

I'm not selling the Nad because I don't like the sound, but because I need an extra optical input and the ability to control two pairs of speakers completely independently.

I read about Rotel that they are cold, tiring in the high frequencies and not very musical, etc. but it's true?

Last tip, do you think there is a big difference in quality between the 1592 MK2 and the new RA 6000, both having the same power but a huge price difference?

Possibly only those who have listened to or know these brands and know what they say (without personal prejudices) otherwise everything is more complicated in the choice if they are only personal opinions ...
Thank you in advance.

 

[Grotti]

I looked up the amps in Google to compare their specs and found an interesting offer for the RA 6000:

Rotel RA 6000

Der Rotel Vollverstärker RA-6000 der Diamond-Serie ist das Ergebnis unserer 60-jährigen Erfahrung. Er bietet höchste Leistung, Musikalität und Werte, ganz nach der Tradition eines der renommiertesten japanischen Hersteller. Der RA-6000 unterstützt eine außergewöhnliche Vielfalt moderner und...

hifi-profis.de

Seems like a bargain. I can't comment on sound characteristics of the mentioned amps (haven't experienced any of them) but as long as they are competently build and not pushed to the limits, there won't be any sound difference in a proper conducted blind comparison. All sighted subjective impressions are useless due to expectation bias (which is discussed a countless times here on ASR).

Not very helpful, I know

 

[Alexx]

Anyway, thank you for your interest and reply.

Let's see if any other user has had experience with these brands....unfortunately the Nad as much as I like it lacks some necessary features that I'm looking for and need.
See you soon and good day.

 

[LTig]

I'm not selling the Nad because I don't like the sound, but because I need an extra optical input and the ability to control two pairs of speakers completely independently.

I don't think this can be done with any stereo amplifier at the same time. It would need separate power amps for each of the 4 speakers.

 

[Alexx]

@LTig :
No.

The Rotel RA1592-RA6000 are the only ones (at least that I know of) that can do it without problems and for my case it is very useful

The Nad, on the other hand, has the double parallel output, therefore it activates both together or deactivates both of them (almost useless function, and the same was unable to give me a reason).

What I'd like to understand is how much I'm losing in terms of quality (I like the tone tending towards warm and with unobtrusive mid-highs like Nad).

And especially if the RA-6000 model (just released) deserves the higher price of almost 1500 euros compared to the RA-1592MK2 model.
Thank you very much for helping.

 

[Verig]

What I'd like to understand is how much I'm losing in terms of quality (I like the tone tending towards warm and with unobtrusive mid-highs like Nad).

And especially if the RA-6000 model (just released) deserves the higher price of almost 1500 euros compared to the RA-1592MK2 model.
Thank you very much for helping.

If you're not interested in "our best integrated" price point and bit of over engineering then 1592mkII offers all you need. Sturdy 200W@8Ohm and the connectivity you need, just go for it. It has enough power to drive any even remotely sensibly built speaker so you won't experience any tone, it won't sound like anything.

 

[Verig]

Ah, old thread again.

 

[Alexx]

I just wanted to tell you that then I took the 1592MK, sorry I forgot.

I wasn't sure if the RA-6000 model could give greater quality, it is certainly a better product but for my use I preferred to save 1500 euros and take the 1592.......

Now I will have to match it with a speaker with a "warm" Timbric, maybe I'll open a new discussion.
Thanks.

 

[Frederico]

I just wanted to tell you that then I took the 1592MK, sorry I forgot.

I wasn't sure if the RA-6000 model could give greater quality, it is certainly a better product but for my use I preferred to save 1500 euros and take the 1592.......

Now I will have to match it with a speaker with a "warm" Timbric, maybe I'll open a new discussion.
Thanks.

Glad I found your old post. What speakers did you finally ended up with to be used with 1592MkII? I just acquired a used RA-6000 and wonder what speakers to pair it will have a good warm mid and sweet high, but still maintain clarity and speed. For comparison, my current speakers are old Von Schweikert VR-1, which are famious for their warm and romantic sound.

 

[Alexx]

Hi.

I'm not familiar with your speakers. I initially had Dali Opticon 6MKII towers, but they were too bright in the mid-highs.

I then installed Kef R3s (not Metas), and they were wonderful. The mids and highs were balanced and very detailed, but not overly warm. I don't think Rotel could match this tone; it's still a bit neutral.

Let me know about anything else.
Thanks.

 

[Frederico]

So aren't you saying Rotal is more neutral than warm in tone? I don't have another amp to compare except for Golden Tube SE40 from memory (it ran out of business and is now replaced with RA-6000, which I believe has very similar tone to 1592). When Von Schweikert VR-1 was paired with SE-40, it was very warm, mellow and smooth. I now found RA-6000 less to that extent. I'm not sure if I was spoiled with tube sound before and now felt a little cold when listening to a neutral amp. For reference, I play CD in an older Rega Apollo (the first version with full width model). I compared analog out and digital out to RA-6000, I found Rega's DAC more tamed than the internal DAC of RA-6000 but giving up a bit of clarity and sound stage. Mind you that Rega's DAC has an older Wolfson WM8724 chip vs Rotel's TI chip.

 

[Alexx]

If you're coming from a tube background, it might take some time to get used to solid-state amps.

The "musical warmth" of tubes is unique; Rotel isn't cold, but neutral, exactly.

The 6000 model you bought is better and more musical than the 1592MK2. Don't worry, it's a fabulous amp, and you'll be fine.

If you want more "warmth," you should look at Musical Fidelity amps, but having bought the Rotel 6000, I don't think it's worth it. At most, you could opt for a speaker to pair with the Rotel, one with a "sweeter" midrange.

As for DACs, I think that Wolfson, despite being old, has a fabulous sound compared to many newer models.
See you soon.

 

[Frederico]

Interesting that you mentioned Musical Fidelity. I used to own an A-100x, which was an A class amp, before switching to tube. Sadly it no longer works.

My current Von Schweikert VR-1 is also known for its warm tone. I hope I can get used to the neutral sound characteristics of Rotel soon. I'm looking at Wharfedale Linton 85th or Super Linton but I need time to recoup my finance to afford a new pair of speakers

I also think that Rega/Wolfson is not bad relative to Rotel/TI despite if its age. It sounds more rounder and polished than Rotel/TI but lacks a bit of clarity and punch. It has a deeper sound stage (or more recessed I should say) while Rotel/TI's sound stage is wider and also more forward.

 

[Svend P]

You should probably read this thread, before continuing talking about amplifier tone. They all sound the same

K

'Which of these amps would sound best'

Aug 11, 2025

Calling all non classical music entheusiasts to give me an opinion please: (nothing against classical music there are plenty that i like but my main genres is as follows)

the 3 amplifiers i can choose from below which will be best ?
i'm not sure if i can trust chatgpt:

• Best for Trance: Sansui AU-D5 for its rich, warm sound.
• Best for Metal: Denon PMA-450 due to its dynamic range and clarity.
• Best All-Rounder: Marantz PM-53, which provides a good balance for both genres.

If you must choose from the 3 above all in the same price class...

• kevinsonic
• Replies: 136
• Forum: Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review

 

[LTig]

Agreed if the output impedance is low (typical for most SS amps, but not all). Otherwise frequency response depends on the speakers impedance curve.

 

[Frederico]

Hi Fi Audio as a hobby is subjective and personal to certain extent, not a pure science despite this website's name suggests lol

Compared to both Musical Fidelity A-100X (strongly Class A biased) and Golden Tube SE-40s (pure tube power amps), my listening to Rotel RA-6000 (solid state amp) is much less warm and smooth but more "neutral" as Alexx said. That doesn't mean Rotel is worse but just different tone.

However, I couldn't rule out the possibility of different sounds by different DAC's. I used the internal DAC's of Sony CDP-338ESD and Rega Apollo CD players (analog inputs to both older amps) but internal DAC of Rotel when using Rotel.

You should probably read this thread, before continuing talking about amplifier tone. They all sound the same

K

'Which of these amps would sound best'

Aug 11, 2025

Calling all non classical music entheusiasts to give me an opinion please: (nothing against classical music there are plenty that i like but my main genres is as follows)

the 3 amplifiers i can choose from below which will be best ?
i'm not sure if i can trust chatgpt:

• Best for Trance: Sansui AU-D5 for its rich, warm sound.
• Best for Metal: Denon PMA-450 due to its dynamic range and clarity.
• Best All-Rounder: Marantz PM-53, which provides a good balance for both genres.

If you must choose from the 3 above all in the same price class...

• kevinsonic
• Replies: 136
• Forum: Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review

K

'Which of these amps would sound best'

Aug 11, 2025

Calling all non classical music entheusiasts to give me an opinion please: (nothing against classical music there are plenty that i like but my main genres is as follows)

the 3 amplifiers i can choose from below which will be best ?
i'm not sure if i can trust chatgpt:

• Best for Trance: Sansui AU-D5 for its rich, warm sound.
• Best for Metal: Denon PMA-450 due to its dynamic range and clarity.
• Best All-Rounder: Marantz PM-53, which provides a good balance for both genres.

If you must choose from the 3 above all in the same price class...

• kevinsonic
• Replies: 136
• Forum: Amplifiers, Phono preamp, and Analog Audio Review

 

[Svend P]

Hi Fi Audio as a hobby is subjective and personal to certain extent, not a pure science despite this website's name suggests lol

You're probably in the wrong place then. All DACs also sound the same.

'Message to golden-eared audiophiles posting at ASR for the first time...'

Nov 17, 2020

Hello friend. Hey, listen...we know how it is. Believe me, most of us have been there too. You've spent years toiling in the muck of audiophilia. You read ALL the reviews. You watched ALL the youtube videos. You visited ALL the other forums where everything always makes a difference. You bought the cables and the little bridge thingies for them to sit upon and the benefits were magical. You bought the $1000 IEMs that only truly sang after 250 hours of burn-in. Not 200 hours...or 225 hours, but 250 hours! It must be that for the magic to appear! You converted...

• Sgt. Ear Ache
• Replies: 3,945
• Forum: General Audio Discussions

• 

 

[Frederico]

All XXX also sound the same" is an over generalized statement, I'm afraid.

I'd definitely tell the difference between a music sound played from a PC and built in speakers from a decent hi fi separates with bookshelf speakers.

 

[melomane13]

All XXX also sound the same" is an over generalized statement, I'm afraid.

I'd definitely tell the difference between a music sound played from a PC and built in speakers from a decent hi fi separates with bookshelf speakers.

Yes, because the transducer is different...

But the statement was: "All DACs sound the same." And also: "All amplifiers sound the same." Choose electronics of proper design and construction, use them within their capabilities (no clipping or very low impedance), and they all sound the same, with the same speaker. exemple https://matrixhifi.com/ENG_contenedor_ppec.htm Tube amplifiers can sound different because the output impedance is very high and causes disturbances in the response. Also, the clipping behavior is different, but clipping should be avoided.

 

[Alexx]

Everyone has their own opinions, and there's no arguing about it.

But how can you say that all amplifiers sound the same?

It's impossible. If you say so, have you never listened to them? Have you ever compared two or three amplifiers of different brands and specifications? (Even with blind texts) There are hundreds of pages on this forum and many others, discussing brands, differences in sound, proper pairing between electronics and speakers...

The same goes for speakers, CD players, etc. Each design has its own small "signature," and from that, however small, various differences arise.

This is simply my opinion. If you disagree, that's fine, I won't argue, but saying they all sound the same is misleading.
Best regards.