Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier – Just add Speakers Total Home Entertainment Solution

The Japanese company Rotel Co. Ltd. has now come up with a surprising solution that can be seen as a prime example of what a hi-fi system limited to the essentials looks like, because the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is a solution that can clearly be categorised as just add speakers. The Japanese company offers a stereo integrated amplifier that provides everything a hi-fi chain should offer today, even for the most demanding users.

The new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is not only, as the name suggests, equipped for streaming, it also has all the relevant interfaces for a wide variety of sources, above all HDMI, of course, so that you can integrate a TV set directly and thus do without an additional soundbar for the best sound when watching TV.

Rotel RAS-5000 Streamig Integrated Amplifier – Developed for easy handling

Rotel Co. Ltd explicitly emphasises that the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier has been designed to be extremely flexible in use, while at the same time guaranteeing the simplest possible handling.

A solidly built stereo integrated amplifier with twice 200 watts

Even if a comparison with typical compact all-in-one systems in consumer electronics is obvious due to their functionality, this is not really the case, because the keyword “compact” does not come to mind when looking at the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier.

In fact, this new solution is a classic hi-fi component, measuring 431 x 144 x 425 mm and weighing in at an impressive 15.7 kg. It is therefore a very solidly designed stereo integrated amplifier manufactured in the good hi-fi tradition, which is available in either silver or black.

A look inside also shows that everything here is designed in such a way that you are dealing with a very powerful system. After all, this solution delivers two times 200 watts to speaker systems with an impedance of 4 ohms and two times 140 watts to speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms. A powerful power supply is designed as the basis for the Class A/B amplifier modules, which are accurately docked to the powerful cooling elements installed on the left and right inside, with a toroidal transformer providing the corresponding energy reserves.

Foto © Rotel Co. Ltd. | Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Foto © Rotel Co. Ltd. | Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Foto © Rotel Co. Ltd. | Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Foto © Rotel Co. Ltd. | Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

Equipped for a wide range of sources

As already mentioned, the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier shines above all with its flexibility, which is made possible in particular by a range of relevant interfaces.

For analogue sources, “only” a pair of RCA sockets is available as Line In, to which a record player with corresponding phono preamplifier can be connected, for example, but much more important for most potential customers is the fact that, in addition to an optical and coaxial /SPDIF interface, an HDMI port is available, which is equipped with support for HDMI CEC and an eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) for the integration of a television.

The new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier also offers a USB 2.0 interface designed as a USB-B port for direct connection to a PC or Mac, a USB-A port for corresponding storage media, and in addition to a pre-out as a pair of RCA sockets, there is also a further RCA connection for integrating a subwoofer. There is also a connection for headphones on the front and speaker systems can be connected here via solid screw terminals.

Streaming via Bluetooth and network – Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chrome Cast and Roon Ready

The easiest way to use music streaming is the Bluetooth module integrated into the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier, which supports AAC and SBC as well as aptX and aptX HD.

Full streaming flexibility is available when the Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is connected to the network either via the RJ45 Ethernet interface or simply via WiFi. The Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier initially functions as a dlna-certified UPnP streaming client, but also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, can access Spotify via Spotify Connect and TIDAL via TIDAL Connect, and even the simplest multi-room audio streaming is possible in combination with other compatible solutions.

The new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is also labelled as Roon Ready, as the manufacturer states.

Incidentally, the signal is converted using a 32-bit D/A converter from ESS Technology Inc., whereby in addition to audio data in Linear PCM format with up to 24 bits and 384 kHz, content encoded in lossy MQA is also supported.

Suitable app for Apple iOS and Google Android

According to Rotel Co. Ltd, a suitable app, the Rotel RAS-5000 App, is available for Apple iOS and Google Android for easy operation.

Prices and availability

The new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier should be available from specialist retailers later this year, and, as already mentioned, in either black or silver. The scope of delivery naturally includes a matching remote control, which is also worth mentioning. The recommended retail price will be € 2.999,-.

Getting to the point

Even if you can basically speak of an all-in-one system that combines all the functions of a modern hi-fi chain and only requires a pair of high-quality speakers, the new Rotel RAS-5000 Streaming Integrated Amplifier is more of a stereo integrated amplifier designed according to all the rules of the art, which not only shines with a multitude of interfaces and integrated streaming, but also with impressive performance. Rotel Co. Ltd. itself speaks of a product that can be categorised as Just add Speakers.