Description: Solid-state stereo preamplifier with Bluetooth, MC/MM phono stage, dual-mono AKM DAC chips, MQA. Inputs: 2 pairs balanced (XLR), 5 pairs unbalanced (RCA), 7 digital (see main text). Outputs: 2 pairs balanced (XLR), 4 pairs unbalanced (RCA) (two pre out, line out, mono sub out), headphone (¼"), 2 digital outputs (S/PDIF TosLink, coaxial). THD (20Hz–20kHz): <0.002%. Output impedance: unbalanced (RCA), 470 ohms; balanced (XLR), 100 ohms. Intermodulation distortion (60Hz: 7 kHz, 4:1): <0.002%. Input sensitivity/Impedance: Phono input (MM), 2.5mV/47k ohms; phono input (MC), 250µV/47k ohms; line-level inputs (RCA), 160mV/47k ohms; line-level inputs (XLR), 250 mV/100k ohms. Input overload: phono input (MM), 199mV; phono input (MC), 22mV; line-level (RCA), 12V; balanced (XLR), 12V. Output level: Line-level (RCA), 1V/470 ohms; balanced (XLR), 2V/100 ohms. Frequency response: phono input, 20Hz–20kHz, ±0.3dB; line inputs, 10Hz–100kHz, ±0.3dB. Tone controls: Bass: ±10dB at 100Hz; Treble: ±10dB at 10kHz. Signal-to-noise ratio (IHF "A" weighting): phono input, 80dB; line-level inputs, 116dB. Channel separation: phono input, >55dB; line-level inputs, >85dB. Digital section: Frequency response: 20Hz–20kHz (±0.3dB, max). Signal/Noise ratio (IHF "A" weighting): 100dB. Input sensitivity/impedance: 0dBFS/75 ohms. Digital output: 0.75V, peak–peak. Load impedance: 75 ohms. Digital inputs: SPDIF LPCM (up to 192kHz/24-bit). PC-USB: USB audio class 1.0 (up to 96kHz/24-bit). USB audio class 2.0 (up to 384kHz/24-bit). Driver installation required. DSD (up to 11.2MHz/16-bit) and DoP support, MQA support. Power requirements: US: 120V, 60Hz. EC: 230V, 50Hz. Power consumption: 40 watts. Standby: normal: <0.5 watts. Network wakeup: <2 watts.
Dimensions: 19" (485mm) W × 17.75" (452mm) D × 6" (150mm) H. Weight: 50.5lb (22.9kg).
Finish: Black.
Serial number of unit reviewed: 255-9501002. Manufactured in China.
Price: $3999. Number of US Michi dealers: 14. Warranty: 5 years.
Manufacturer: The Rotel Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. Web: rotel.com. US distributor: Sumiko, 6655 Wedgwood Rd. N, Suite 115, Maple Grove, MN 55311-2814. Tel: (510) 843-4500. Web: sumikoaudio.net
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COMMENTS
Thank you for a thorough review of the preamp's technology and performance. For the money, this looks like a winner. It's beautiful to look at and sounds very good. I'm shocked, shocked (!) that the China bashing hasn't begun. Tony, where are you? :)
I don't bash China, I'm disappointed with Domestic Manufacturers abandoning their labor base, I abandon them for it.
I was a Rotel Dealer in the 1980s when the gear was made in Japan, it was competitive but nothing special. ( or so we thought ).
I'm impressed that Mr. Micallef felt the device comparable with his Haut Brion gear, was it good enough to keep close to hand ? was it a keeper ? Reviewers keep great gear ( or should I say borrow on a long term loan basis ) to help frame other reviewed gear.
Reading this review has me starting a hunt for a Haut Brion piece for my personal evaluation.
Overall, this was a strong Haut Brion endorsement on the small shoulders of a glossy do-it-all Rotel.
Mr.Micallef is a gifted writer, he reads like he's speaking directly to me. phew, he's talented.
I know what I want out of life and I know what I want out of a Pre-amp: I want a phenomenal singing voice. ( which comes from carefully selected Russian Tubes in a simple electrical circuit )!
It just seems that the P5 is a Glossy piece of China made to catch eyes while sitting idle on a Dealer Shelf. It might do everything well or it might not.
however
If I wanted or craved glossy Chinese I'd certainly have the pure Chinese Woo Firefly sitting on my shelf. Made in Long Island, NY 11101. ph.917-773-8645 ( for 1/4 the price of the Best Buy Rotel piece )
Tony in Venice
ps. proud to be the sole Chinesium basher of these pages.
Made in Long Island City, NY to be fair, part of the borough of Queens and thus part of NYC, not the suburban wasteland east of the city. Not to be a hater, but I escaped those suburbs a few decades ago.
But thanks for saying this! I had no idea there was serious audio equipment being made within a 20 minute walk of where I live now!
don-cha think ?
I wonder which of the Bouroughs have the highest density of Audiophiles. ( maybe Brooklyn ? )
Tony in Venice
I am finally in the market for some hi-fi gear. I did an audition of the Michi X5 and was blown away, but I can't help but wonder if the P5/S5 might sound even better. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
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