Rotel Michi Returns
Michi makes a return to the Rotel stable.
The iconic high-end Rotel Michi label is set to return to the UK with a new flagship range of three audio components.
With availability slated for later this month, the new Michi models include the P5 Preamplifier (£3,299), S5 Stereo Amplifier (£5,399) and M8 Monoblock Amplifier (£5,399).
The new Michi range is the result of over three years of development. Additionally, the company states that every component has been specially selected following extended listening sessions by the dedicated engineering team.
Furthermore, the components feature bespoke components including in-house manufactured, custom oversized toroidal transformers mounted in dedicated, epoxy filled enclosures. Also, patented, British high-efficiency, slit foil, bulk storage capacitors are employed supporting up to 32 high-current output transistors. The upshot of all that is large, clean power reserves.
Peter Kao, Managing Director of Rotel and 3rd generation of the founding family, told StereoNET:
Michi is taking Rotel’s values of excellent performance and value into the high-end segment with models that offer new levels of engineering, build and design while setting new reference standards for audio performance. We have used all of our 55 years of design and manufacturing experience to create our best ever products.
P5 Control Amplifier
The P5 Amplifier sports a range of analogue and digital source inputs including dual balanced input and output XLR’s, high-quality MM and MC phono stage inputs and apt-X Bluetooth wireless connection.
Dual AKM 32-bit DACs feed the Class-A preamplifier circuit design. The circuits are supported by an array of 17 independent voltage regulators driven from a pair of those aforementioned toroidal transformers with low ESR smoothing capacitors delivering ripple-free current to all critical circuits.
The Michi P5 also includes MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) technology to unfold and render MQA audio files and streams.
S5 Stereo Amplifier and M8 Monoblock Amplifier
The S5 & M8 are Class AB designs delivering 500 watts and 1080 watts respectively into 8-ohm loads (rising to 800W and an astounding 1,800W into 4-ohms).
Both amplifiers include twin matched, over-sized 2200 VoltAmp, in-house manufactured toroidal transformers.
An array of 32 high-current output devices drive the amplifier output stages, reducing the load on individual components and are supported from 188,000uF of patented bulk storage capacitors.
Michi exclusive five-way Rhodium-plated binding posts complete the high-quality specification.
Price and availability
The new Michi range is available from November 2019. Pricing is as follows:
- P5 Preamplifier - £3,299
- S5 Stereo Amplifier - £5,399
- M8 Monoblock Amplifier - £5,399
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
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