ROTEL RA-1572 Integrated Amplifier

Rating:
✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩✩

It was the best choice. I've tried several amplifiers starting with analog Yamaha and Onkyo models through NAD  C375 BEE and Hybrid Digital NAD C 388 running my Bowers & Wilkins CM8 S2 speakers. ROTEL was the best choice. I waited several weeks to get one but it was worth to wait.

From the first look at the amplifier seems to be robust and very well done. Front panel is assembled by power switch in blue LED circle (light  is adjustable), phones 3,5mm socket, USB for Apple iPhone connection, speaker zone selector, input selector, dimmable display, volume and menu setup buttons.

Rear panel is assembled by all the connectors as per specification as well as APTX Bluetoth adapter to connect your mobile devices for example.

Pros:
DAC & Number of digital inputs
Sound quality and Output power
APTX Bluetoth adapter

Cons:
Cheap looking remote controller

Specifications:

Dimensions (W × H × D)

431 × 144 × 358mm
17" × 5.7" × 14.1"

Front Panel Height

3U / 132.6mm (5.25")

Power Requirements

230V, 50Hz

Power Consumption

400W

Standby Power Consumption

<0.5W

Net Weight

13kg (29lbs.)

BTU Rating (4Ω, 1/8th power)

810 BTU/h

Continuous Power Output

120W/Ch (All channels driven, 8Ω)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)

(20Hz–20kHz) <0.03%

Frequency Response

Line Level Inputs: 10Hz - 100kHz ±0.5dB

Digital Inputs: 10Hz - 90kHz ±2dB

Phono Input: 20Hz - 20kHz ±0.5dB

S/N Ratio (IHF "A" Weighted)

Line Level Inputs: 100dB

Digital Inputs: 100dB

Phono Input: 80dB

Intermodulation Distortion (60Hz:7kHz, 4:1)

<0.03%

Damping Factor

300

Speaker Impedance

4Ω minimum

Input Sensitivity

Line Level Inputs (RCA): 270mV

Line Level Inputs (XLR): 440mV

Phono Input (MM): 2.1mV

Input Impedance

Line Level Inputs (RCA): 100kΩ

Line Level Inputs (XLR): 100kΩ

Digital Inputs: 75Ω

Phono Input (MM): 47kΩ

Input Overload

Line Level Inputs (RCA): 4V

Line Level Inputs (XLR): 5.5V

Phono Input: 32mV

Preout Level

1.5V

Output Impedance

470Ω

Tone Controls

±10dB at 100Hz / 10kHz

Coax/Optical Digital Input Signals

LPCM (Up to 24-bit/192kHz)

PC-USB

USB Audio Class 1 (up to 24/96)
USB Audio Class 2 (up to 32/384)*

*Driver installation required

DSD and DoP support

CASIO GXW-56-1BJF

I purchased the CASIO GXW-56-1BJF. This huge G-Shock watch are the Asian model of the GX-56. It comes in the simple but nice package. I purchased the watch from Japan assuming it is made in Japan, however i was disappointed what I've seen on the cover. My piece is "Made in China". So in case you prefer the Japan made stuff check with your favorite retailer. I have to mention that in case you wear long sleeve shirt or jacket you may feel your wrist really uncomfortable due to the big case. In general this timepiece is really solid and well made. It looks very sporty and I have to recommend for the sports especially in the hot summer when you do not wear the long sleeves :o)

Module 3220 - manual
Tough Solar
Radio wave Atomic time keeping reception
Mineral glass
Resin case
Resin band
Shock Resist
Mud Resist
Waterproof to 20bar
EL Back-light green (full auto)
World Time (48 cities + UTC)
Stop Watch (1/100sec, 24hr)
Timer (24hr)
Alarm (4 alarms + 1 alarm with snooze function)
Battery indicator display (low, medium, high)
Power saving function - after certain period of time the display go off
Auto Calendar
12/24hr time display
Sound: ON/OFF
Accuracy (if radio signal not available): within 15sec/month
Band: 150-220mm
Size (HxWxD): 55.5x53.6x17.5mm
88g

CITIZEN Attesa BY0040-51F

   I recently purchased the new CITIZEN Attesa BY0040-51F Eco-Drive solar powered radio controlled watch. Very nice piece on the first look. Watch comes in the standard Citizen original box with Japanese, Chinese and English manual. Let me share with you few remarks.

   Eco-Drive (solar power) - great Citizen Eco-Drive solar power. I hope I will never need to change the accumulator. By pressing the lower button, the chronograph minute hand stops at the one of four levels of accumulator status.

   Radio Controlled - if I compare to my another radio controlled watch the BY0040-51F is faster when receiving the time signal. I don't see the issue with the time accuracy at all. It receives signal from all 5 known transmitters (2xJJY, WWVB, DCF77, BPC) and adjust watch according to the selected city:

UTC 0
LON London 0
PAR Paris +1
CAI Cairo +2
MOW Moscow +3
DXB Dubai +4
KHI Karachi +5
DEL Delhi +5.5
DAC Dhaka +6
BKK Bangkok +7
HKG Hong Kong +8
TYO Tokyo +9
ADL Adelaide +9.5

SYD Sydney +10
NOU Noumea +11 JPN
AKL Auckland +12
MDY Midway Island -11
HNL Honolulu -10
ANC Anchorage -9
LAX Los Angeles -8
DEN Denver -7
CHI Chicago -6
NYC New York -5
SCL Santiago -4
RIO Rio de Janeiro -3
FEN Fernando de Noronha -2
PDL Azores -1

   In addition you can select the option Standard time/Summer time and adjust automatically or manually.

Another features:

Perpetual calendar - valid until 2099.

Chronograph - measure the time with 0.20s accuracy. You can run the chronograph by pressing the upper button. Maximum time you can measue is 60min. Than the chronograph stops.

Alarm - you can select one alarm time. I would prefer at least two.

Shock detection function

Power saving function - stop the needles when the watch is placed in the dark place for a longer time period.

Anti-magnetic JIS1

Water resistance 10bar
Made in Japan

   The case is very nice. It is made from the titanium with the DURATECT TIC treatment. The same as the bracelet. There is a sapphire glass with anti reflective coating. Around the glass there is a DLC (diamond like carbon) scratch resistible ring.

   Over all the watch is very well made and precise. Looks casual, you can wear it with suite but also with a sporty T-shirt. The dial is well readable. Dial is also fluorescent as well as needles thus you can use the watch even in the dark. Watch is easily to operate by two buttons and crown with three positions. The only disadvantage is the price and only one alarm as stated above. I would recommend the watch to all of you who wants to be a bit different.