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Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier – Two new stereo integrated amplifiers

Rotel promises uncompromising audio performance for the solutions in the Rotel MICHI range. This applies to the previously available individual components in the form of preamplifiers and power amplifiers as well as to the two new stereo integrated amplifiers that are now available with the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier systems.


With the Rotel MICHI Series, Rotel presented solutions that are seen as flagship products and, according to the manufacturer, build on the history and heritage of Rotel. The solutions represent more than 55 years of audiophile experience combined with the passion of a family business and deliver acoustic sublimity and visual perfection.

Up to now, this product range has offered a wide variety of amplifiers, with a classic focus on preamplifiers and power amplifiers. The central interface was the Rotel MICHI P5 stereo preamplifier, for which the manufacturer promised audio processing of the very highest standard. This allowed the combination of two power amplifiers, because Rotel had previously offered the Rotel MICHI S5 stereo power amplifier and the Rotel MICHI M8 mono power amplifier as the crowning glory of the chain.

The Rotel MICHI Series, which has so far only offered a combination of pre and power amplifiers, will now be followed by solutions that appeal to a wider range of customers in the form of stereo integrated amplifiers. Two models are now available in this category, the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier. The manufacturer is convinced that these two systems will redefine performance in this class, and it is also on record that these solutions offer the best possible flexibility to provide the user with solutions that have numerous connection options and are therefore equipped to meet all requirements.

Naturally, the two new systems, Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier, are presented in the design familiar from the previous components of the Rotel MICHI Series. The manufacturer is talking about the most modern industrial design, which is reduced to the essentials and therefore looks timelessly elegant. From a more practical point of view, both systems have an extremely solid construction, whereby essential components such as the heat sinks have been very skilfully integrated into the design concept.

The Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier measures 485 x 150 x 452 mm and weighs an impressive 28.9 kg, while the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier measures 485 x 195 x 452 mm, which is just a touch more, but weighs an impressive 42 kg.

Both systems are completely in black, with the clearly structured front, which as already indicated, concentrates solely on the really essential, is particularly appealing. Two rotary encoders, one for input selection, one for volume control, a centrally located high-resolution display, a button and a connection for headphones, that’s all the front has to offer. A glance from above reveals that the side panels act as cooling elements, with the cooling fins only being visible from above.

A glance at the rear panel of the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier reveals the practical possibilities that the two systems offer.

The analogue inputs on both systems include a pair of RCA connectors and a balanced input in the form of XLR connectors, and while the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier is limited to a phono preamplifier for MM pickup systems, the phono preamplifier on the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier is designed for both MM and MC pickup systems.

For digital sources, the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier systems offer three optical and three coaxial S/PDIF interfaces and of course a PC or Mac can be connected directly via USB. The D/A converter integrated here also unfolds its full potential via USB, as this is an impeccable 32 bit 768 kHz converter from AKM, which can process signals with up to 32 bit and 384 kHz, as well as DSD, although DoP, i.e. DSD over PCM, is used here. Content encoded in MQA can also be processed by the D/A converter of the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier solutions.

If you want to connect mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, but also portable audio players “wirelessly” with the two stereo integrated amplifiers, you can do this via Bluetooth, whereby AAC and aptX are supported for playback in “CD quality”.

Although both systems have an RJ45 Ethernet interface, this is only designed for updates and control. The two systems Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier do not provide streaming functionality.

Of course, a wide range of additional interfaces for integration into control solutions, such as an RS232 interface, as well as trigger inputs and outputs, should not be missing in this class. An additional USB port can be used to supply external devices with power, and of course there are also outputs for connecting subwoofers – two of them – as well as further pre-outputs.

The developers have certainly not spared any effort when it comes to the speaker connections. Apart from the fact that these are particularly high-quality, rhodium-plated screw terminals, the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier systems each have a total of eight units, i.e. two pairs each, to enable bi-wiring.

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The Rotel stereo integrated amplifiers are proven to be true power bolides, with both the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier being Class AB.

According to the manufacturer, the basis for an absolutely impressive performance is a perfect balance of innovation and critical appraisal of all circuits, signal paths and audio components.

The Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier is already equipped with a tailor-made and generously dimensioned toroidal transformer with high efficiency and very low noise. It uses independent voltage regulators for the analogue, digital and amplifier circuits, isolating unwanted noise and distortion. With the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier, the manufacturer speaks of a virtually overpowering and specially designed toroidal transformer that independently powers the highly efficient bulk capacitors, which provide a capacitance of 88,000 uF and all acoustically sensitive circuits to eliminate unwanted noise and distortion.

This means that the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier delivers twice 350 watts into 4 ohms and the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier delivers twice 600 watts into 4 ohms speaker systems.

Apart from the fact that this, in combination with the rotary encoders directly on the unit, guarantees comfortable operation, the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier systems are of course supplied with a matching remote control, whereby the manufacturer speaks of a particularly high-quality Rotel MICHI remote control.

The two new stereo integrated amplifiers as an extension of the Rotel MICHI Series are to be available in specialist shops in the near future.

The manufacturer states a recommended retail price of € 5,000 for the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier. If you decide to buy the big brother Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier, you have to calculate a recommended retail price of € 7.000,-.

Getting to the point

While the Rotel MICHI Series has so far only offered pre and power amplifier combinations, solutions that appeal to a somewhat broader range of customers are now to follow in the form of stereo integrated amplifiers. Two models are now available in this category, the Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier and the Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier. The manufacturer is convinced that these two systems will redefine performance in this class, and it is also on record that these solutions offer the best possible flexibility to provide the user with solutions that have numerous connection options and are therefore equipped to meet all requirements.

Manufacturer:Rotel
Distribution:B&W Group Germany GmbH
Price:Rotel MICHI X3 Integrated Amplifier € 5.000,-
Rotel MICHI X5 Integrated Amplifier € 7.000,-
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Michael Holzinger

Michael Holzinger, founder and editor-in-chief of HiFi BLOG and sempre-audio.at, has been working for years as a journalist in the fields of IT, photography, telecommunications and consumer electronics.

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