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Thread: The Rotel RCH-10 passive - A cheeky little number

  1. #1
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 9,228
    I'm Josie.

    Default The Rotel RCH-10 passive - A cheeky little number

    Hi all.

    Just recently I've been using a Rotel RHC-10 passive and I have to say its rather lovely sounding. Looking in to the history of this remarkable range from Rotel back in the early 90's the amount of care and engineering they put in to their products was very nice indeed.

    http://www.thevintageknob.org/rotel-RHC-10.html

    I've always wanted to give one of these a go. The thing was would it match with the Copper amp? Well as of now its most certainly fitting very well.

    But hold on... What about the Croft? Well, that is still as highly regarded and it makes a monster standalone phono stage anyway. The Rotel is a different flavour. It's a little more open and wider which was to be expected. The croft however because of its bonkers upgrades does have a more rounded sound to it... Which was again only expected.

    Feeding the Rotel with either the IQAudio or the latest Allo BOSS makes for a very nice listen indeed.

    The build quality (go to the link above) is bonkers for a,passive.

    It weighs 5kgs and its almost empty. The main dual mono pots are I think Ko-On but not sure about the switches. The movement and feel of the switches are sublime.

    It's been in my system now for a few weeks so its still on trial but I have to say.... It's very nice.

    One thing puzzles me though to which I hope someone can clarify for a potential upgrade. On the main circuit board there are a pair of resistors one each input and a pair on the output. Could this be a shunt design?

    Thanks
    Jo
    Ultrafide U500DC power amplifier - Croft Vitale )highly modified) - TRIO L-07D Turntable - Denon DL103C1 - Funk Firm Houdini - Lentek MC head amp - 15" Tannoy Monitor Gold Loudspeakers in Lockwood Major cabinets (From Trident Studios) - Tannoyista SPEC 3 Custom Crossovers - VanDamme Black Speaker Cable


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  2. #2
    RothwellAudio Guest

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    Quote Originally Posted by The Black Adder View Post
    One thing puzzles me though to which I hope someone can clarify for a potential upgrade. On the main circuit board there are a pair of resistors one each input and a pair on the output. Could this be a shunt design?
    Unlikely, but a few measurements with nothing more than a multimeter would soon remove any doubt.

  3. #3
    Join Date: Mar 2008

    Location: Galashiels

    Posts: 13,669
    I'm inthescottishmafia.

    Default

    Always liked the look of the Michi gear, classy.
    “Music has always been a matter of energy to me, a question of fuel. Sentimental people call it inspiration, but what they really mean is fuel. I have always needed fuel. I am a serious consumer. On some nights I still believe that a car with the gas needle on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio”

    Hunter S Thompson

  4. #4
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    As it's got input and record selector switches, the resistors on the output are probably series resistors to protect against very low impedance's or short circuits on the record outputs.


  5. #5
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 9,228
    I'm Josie.

    Default

    Thanks guys.

    Yes the michi stuff is built like top of the range Sony. Beautifully built.

    Thanks Alan... Ah, that makes sense. I'd not use the record outputs anyway.
    Ultrafide U500DC power amplifier - Croft Vitale )highly modified) - TRIO L-07D Turntable - Denon DL103C1 - Funk Firm Houdini - Lentek MC head amp - 15" Tannoy Monitor Gold Loudspeakers in Lockwood Major cabinets (From Trident Studios) - Tannoyista SPEC 3 Custom Crossovers - VanDamme Black Speaker Cable


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  6. #6
    Join Date: May 2010

    Location: Worcestershire, UK

    Posts: 1,101
    I'm Rob.

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    Very interesting. Thank you for sharing that; another bit of kit to look out for.
    Rob.
    Powered by crossed fingers and clenched buttocks

  7. #7
    Join Date: Sep 2009

    Location: Derbyshire

    Posts: 9,228
    I'm Josie.

    Default

    Your welcome Rob.

    It's nice to try something new once in a while. It seems this range (more so this particular pre) is a bit thin on the ground when it comes to buying one and also reviews. It's a very nice discovery.
    Ultrafide U500DC power amplifier - Croft Vitale )highly modified) - TRIO L-07D Turntable - Denon DL103C1 - Funk Firm Houdini - Lentek MC head amp - 15" Tannoy Monitor Gold Loudspeakers in Lockwood Major cabinets (From Trident Studios) - Tannoyista SPEC 3 Custom Crossovers - VanDamme Black Speaker Cable


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  8. #8
    Join Date: Jun 2008

    Location: Happy Cheshire

    Posts: 675
    I'm Duncan.

    Default

    My take on this is, I may be wrong, is that the 3.3k resistors on the inputs are to isolate the grounds from different connected equipment.

    The two 100r on the outputs elevate the ground




    Happy Days



  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2009

    Location: Staffordshire, England

    Posts: 37,778
    I'm Martin.

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    I have a review of the Michi pre/power combo from when it came out. Think it might be by Eric Braithwaite, not sure about that without digging it out. Good review, the pre-amp was tested with other power amps and was preferred to the power amp, the power amp was said to be a bit too 'laid back'.
    Current Lash Up:

    TEAC VRDS 701T > Sony TAE1000ESD > Krell KSA50S > JM Labs Focal Electra 926.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Oct 2012

    Location: The Black Country

    Posts: 6,089
    I'm Alan.

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    Quote Originally Posted by tubehunter View Post
    My take on this is, I may be wrong, is that the 3.3k resistors on the inputs are to isolate the grounds from different connected equipment.

    The two 100r on the outputs elevate the ground
    That makes perfect sense, happy days indeed.

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