Rotel, a manufacturer of high end electronics headquartered in Japan, recently introduced a new sleek looking five-channel surround audio-video receiver which has HDMI capabilities and is priced at just under $1,500. Dubbed the RSX-1057, this surround sound receiver has been out in the market since February.
The Rotel RSX-1057?s most interesting feature is its support of the new high definition standard known as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), which allows a single cable to deliver digital audio and video between compatible sources and monitors. The RSX-1057, which can support all ATSC HDTV standards up to 1080p, has two HDMI inputs and one HDMI output to connect A/V components to compatible 1080p video displays.
Besides HDMI, the Rotel RSX-1057 looks to deliver great audio as a quality A/V receiver via its 75 watts RMS per channel amplifier. The five channels of this receiver are driven simultaneously from 20Hz to 20kHz with what Rotel says is no more than 0.05% THD. Also highlighted by Rotel is the ability to add a two-channel amplifier to the RSX-1057 to step it up to a 7.1 receiver.
Rotel RSX-1057
Those who own multiple home theatre components will be interested to note the RSX-1057 has analog and digital connections for up to seven additional devices. Some of the inputs can also be assigned and relabeled for convenience. As part of this mix three component inputs are available.
Other digital technologies within the RSX-1057?s make up include internal video transcoding regardless of source and on-board Crystal Semiconductor microprocessors which handle Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital EX, DTS, DTS ES Discrete and Matrix, DTS 24/96, DTS Neo:6 and Dolby Pro Logic II surround sound decoding in addition to providing several music listening modes
More information on the Rotel RSX-1057, which measures 17-1/8? x 6-1/2? x 16-5/8? and weighs 38 pounds, can be found at Rotel?s Web site.
