Rotel Support
We are here to help you with any questions you might have about your Rotel products and devices, or we can offer insight into the world of sound and sound quality.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a powered subwoofer be connected to my Rotel Integrated Amplifier?
Most Rotel Integrated Amplifiers provide both line-level and speaker-level outputs that can be used to connect a powered subwoofer to your system.
To connect a powered subwoofer via line level (RCA), the Left and Right PRE OUT connections can be used from the Rotel unit to the line level input on the subwoofer.
Alternatively, most subwoofers also can be connected via speaker wire, and your subwoofer’s owner’s manual should give more connection information on the various setup options using speaker level connections.
Applicable Models:
A10 | A12 | A14 | RA-02 | RA-10 | RA-11 | RA-12 | RA-1060 | RA-1062 | RA-1070 | RA-1520 | RA-1570 | RCX-1500
Can a powered subwoofer be connected to my Rotel Stereo Preamplifier?
Most Rotel Stereo Preamplifiers provide at least two line-level pre outputs, one of which could be used to connect a powered subwoofer to your system.
To connect a powered subwoofer via line level (RCA), one set of the Left and Right PRE OUT connections can be used from the Rotel unit to the line level input on the subwoofer. The other pair of PRE OUT connections would be used to connect to your main power amplifier for your speakers.
One word of caution - ideally you should choose a subwoofer that has both a Left and Right line level input. If your subwoofer only has a single mono input, just connect the Left or Right Pre Out to the input; do not use a Y cable to combine the Left and Right Pre Out as this can result in the output of the loudspeakers being output in mono instead of stereo.
Applicable Models:
RC-1070 | RC-1082 | RC-1090 | RC-1550 | RC-1570 | RC-1580
Can I connect both RCA and XLR outputs simultaneously?
No. We recommend only utilizing one or the other output and do not connect both XLR and RCA connections simultaneously.
Applicable Models:
RC-1090 | RC-1570 | RC-1572 | RC-1590 | RCD-1570 | RCD-1572 | RDD-1580 | RSP-1582
Can I connect both the component and HDMI monitor out connections?
Please refer below to the answers depending on the model you own:
- RSP-1098 HDMI, RSX-1057: As these models do not offer scaling or upconversion from analog video to the HDMI outputs, you can connect both HDMI and Component video monitor outputs to the TV.
- RSP-1069, RSP-1570, RSP-1572, RSX-1058, RSX-1550, RSX-1560, RSX-1562: It is not recommended to connect component video and HDMI video outputs to a monitor simultaneously as the two video image signals may affect each other. These Rotel products will scale all analog video inputs to the HDMI output so both connections would not be necessary to view both HDMI and analog video sources.
Applicable Models:
RSP-1069 | RSP-1098 | RSP-1570 | RSP-1572 | RSX-1057 | RSX-1058 | RSX-1550 | RSX-1560 | RSX-1562
Can I connect my computer audio output to the computer input (I/O) on the back of the Rotel?
No. The RJ45 computer I/O input on your Rotel product is only used for external control using third-party developed RS232 control software such as Crestron or AMX. This input is also used in the case that a software upgrade is needed for your Rotel equipment.
If your computer has analog or digital audio outputs you could connect your computer to a Rotel receiver or surround processor using one of the analog or digital inputs as you would connect any other source component such as a DVD player or CD player. Or, for even better sound quality, add a USB DAC to your system such as the RDD-1580. The RDD-1580 features a rear panel PC-USB connection that can be used to connect your computer to the system for high quality audio playback.
Applicable Models:
RA-1070 | RA-1520 | RC-1082 | RC-1090 | RC-1580 | RCX-1500 | RSP-1066 | RSP-1068 | RSP-1069 | RSP-1098 | RSP-1570 | RSP-1572 | RSX-1055 | RSX-1056 | RSX-1057 | RSX-1058 | RSX-1065 | RSX-1067 | RSX-1550 | RSX-1560 | RSX-1562 | RX-1050 | RX-1052
Can I connect my computer to the front USB input?
No. The front USB connection is designed for use with Apple iOS devices such as iPods and iPhones, or for streaming via the Bluetooth dongle, but it is not designed to connect to a computer directly. Consider a USB DAC or if your computer has a coax or optical audio output you could connect that to an input on your Rotel unit instead.
Applicable Models:
RA-11 | RA-12 | RCX-1500 | RDG-1520 | RSP-1572 | RSX-1562 | RT-09
Can I play AAC files?
AAC files are compatible with Windows Media Player 12, but Windows Media Player 11 may require a third party program for them to be playable in Windows Media Player. If Windows Media player can play the file then it will stream via the UPnP connection.
Applicable Models:
RCX-1500 | RDG-1520 | RT-09 | RT-12
Can I play Apple Lossless files?
Apple lossless files stored on an iPad/iPhone/iPod can be played from the front panel USB input of the unit.
Some alternative UPnP server programs such as TVersity may also detect and stream Apple Lossless files but we cannot offer support for UPnP programs beyond Windows Media Player.
Applicable Models:
RCX-1500 | RDG-1520 | RT-09
Can I play Apple Lossless files?
On Rotel products with a PC-USB rear panel input, you can play any file format that is supported on the computer. So to play Apple Lossless files for example, just connect your computer to the Rotel unit via the PC-USB connection and play the files in iTunes.
You could also play Apple Lossless files from an iPod/iPhone connected to the front USB input as well.
Applicable Models:
RA-1570 | RA-1572 | RA-1592 | RAP-1580 | RC-1570 | RC-1572 | RC-1590 | RDD-1580 | RSP-1576 | RSP-1582
