Rotel DT-6000 Review & Measurements (CD Player / DAC)

[Neric]

I was going to update to the latest software v1.05. For some apparent reason they have pulled it out from the website. Only v1.04 can be downloaded, guess there is an issue with the latest firmware that was uploaded.

I asked FineSounds (support in USA for rotel) and this is what they sent me:

Rotel is doing some further testing on the software. No risk associated with having this software installed on your unit, but let us know if you do run into issues

 

[Alex P]

Well that's good. Let them improve the software properly.

I asked FineSounds (support in USA for rotel) and this is what they sent me:

 

[Neric]

new software is up on rotel's site, and it been up for a month.

Main Software V1.06 - June 25, 2024

What they say it does:

• Eliminated pop noise during inputs switching, music pausing, and DSD playback.
• Optimized Random mode strategy.
• Fixed a bug where the last track repeated forever after fast reversing the track for a few seconds.
• Minor bug fixes

 

[Toku]

ROTEL is a Japanese company that specializes in exporting to overseas markets, but I feel that they only have the same level of quality control as Topping and SMSL.

 

[DMill]

ROTEL is a Japanese company that specializes in exporting to overseas markets, but I feel that they only have the same level of quality control as Topping and SMSL.

They have been around for 50 years unlike Topping and SMSL. Do you think they have lowered standards?

 

[BlackSpider777]

ROTEL is a Japanese company that specializes in exporting to overseas markets, but I feel that they only have the same level of quality control as Topping and SMSL.

Well it has no more Japanese presence, not even an office there i think, they are more of a Chinese company, yes the company was founded in Japan but that ends there.

Their quality is much better then Topping & SMSL that is for sure. I had their Michi line of stereo amp, built like a tank & sounded superb.

 

[Neric]

Well it has no more Japanese presence, not even an office there i think, they are more of a Chinese company, yes the company was founded in Japan but that ends there.

Their quality is much better then Topping & SMSL that is for sure. I had their Michi line of stereo amp, built like a tank & sounded superb.

Why do you say that? Easy to find their office in Japan.

the rotel co., ltd.​

Tachikawa Building 1F
2-11-4, Nakane, Meguro-ku
Tokyo, Japan 152-0031
(81) 3 3724-7673

 

[BlackSpider777]

Why do you say that? Easy to find their office in Japan.

the rotel co., ltd.​

Tachikawa Building 1F
2-11-4, Nakane, Meguro-ku
Tokyo, Japan 152-0031
(81) 3 3724-7673

They do all their research & design in their China office & thats where their plant is.
They is no design or any R&D happening in Japan. People in Japan don't even consider Rotel Japanese. I don't even think they know it exists.
If any Japanese members can chime in, would be great.

 

[Mart68]

They used to be made in Taiwan. Not sure about the older Michi kit, maybe that was from Japan?

 

[NTTY]

@VintageFlanker : I think your burnt CD suffered too from the “adjust level” function of WMP, as I see the same distortion pattern. You might want to have a look.

 

[VintageFlanker]

@VintageFlanker : I think your burnt CD suffered too from the “adjust level” function of WMP, as I see the same distortion pattern. You might want to have a look.

It's done with Nero, not with WMP.
We discussed this with both @Rja4000 and @MC_RME a while ago, and went to the conclusion that a slower burning speed could fix this.

 

[NTTY]

Interesting, and thanks for the information!

 

[Wizco]

Is there any chance that rotel will release a new software version that fixes the jitter bug?

 

[Neric]

Is there any chance that rotel will release a new software version that fixes the jitter bug?

Anyone tested on the latest patch? Is the problem something realistic to encounter or just test noise?

FWIW I opened a ticket with rotel support to ask directly.

 

[Neric]

Is there any chance that rotel will release a new software version that fixes the jitter bug?

Rotel support got back to me, and says this was fixed a while ago in an update.

 

[Wizco]

This is new to me. The release notes of the software updates released for this device did not state that this had been fixed.

 

[Neric]

This is new to me. The release notes of the software updates released for this device did not state that this had been fixed.

The release notes are not very detailed

 

[VintageFlanker]

Rotel support got back to me, and says this was fixed a while ago in an update.

Good. It would have been great to measure a sample B, in intend to update my review accordingly.

 

[Adwit19]

Hello all just joined, would like opinion on using a digital coax in from a Bluesound node 3gen with a ESS SABRE® DAC (ES9039Q2M) chip afford any upside to run into the DT-6000 (which runs a tuned ess chip pro) playback or am I gilding a lilly?

I just purchased the DT-6000 and can definitely appreciate the cd playback compared to my a11 tribute CD and wondered if I would gain aural benefits from utilizing this approach. Thank you in advance.

 

[Neric]

Hello all just joined, would like opinion on using a digital coax in from a Bluesound node 3gen with a ESS SABRE® DAC (ES9039Q2M) chip afford any upside to run into the DT-6000 (which runs a tuned ess chip pro) playback or am I gilding a lilly?

I just purchased the DT-6000 and can definitely appreciate the cd playback compared to my a11 tribute CD and wondered if I would gain aural benefits from utilizing this approach. Thank you in advance.

Digital connections will use the DAC in the DT-6000 which is what I do - I have USB and optical into mine. Coax should be the same. Make sure you patch to the latest version if you have not. Modern DACs really depend on things other then the DAC, the DT-6000 is already overbuilt - so it's likely not going to be noticeable, but try it!