The top-of-the-range line of the Japanese Rotel is renewed. Reliable products, particularly cared for and with absolute performance.
Rotel's Michis have been a huge success, but the world of technology, especially in the digital arena, is moving forward at a rapid pace. Therefore, for the X3 and X5 integrated models, as well as the P5 preamplifier, it was time for an upgrade. This update wasn't just limited to the DAC chips used , but also involved a series of 90 improvements , including improvements to the power supply sections, smoothing and audio circuitry .
The original Michi series, which launched in the 1990s, was conceived as a counter to the high-end products of the time which, according to Rotel, were excessively expensive. They wanted to demonstrate to the market that high audio quality doesn't have to come with a high price tag. The Michi range included a limited selection of products, featuring a unique design enhanced by beautiful redwood side panels. In a short time, these products became best-buys recommended by the main sector magazines and sold out quickly (also being in limited edition).
The new Series 2 of the revived Michi brand comprises a product line that follows on from the first series introduced in 2019. This new series mainly focuses on the X3 and X5 integrated amplifiers, together with the P5 preamplifier , while the S5 and M8 power amplifiers remain unchanged. In addition to using the Saber ESS9028PRO DAC in different configurations, many interventions have been made to improve even more what seemed already perfect. These improvements have been made in different aspects of the products, making the Series 2 a significant evolution from the previous one.
-Let's take a look at Michi products:
P5 Series 2
The Michi P5 S2 preamplifier offers the maximum possible performance also thanks to the two 8-channel ESS SABER DACs, for music that envelops you with every note. The input park supports any source including analog, digital, PC-USB with MQA, Bluetooth aptX™ HD, and both moving magnet and moving coil phono.
Technical features:
19" × 6" × 17.75"
X3 Series 2
Elegant, efficient, uncompromising. The Michi X3 Series 2 amp is exceptionally refined, authentic, supremely expressive. It uses an 8-channel ESS SABER DAC, and delivers 350 Watts to best reproduce your favorite sources whether they are analog, digital, aptX™ HD Bluetooth, PC-USB with MQA and moving magnet phono. Michi, heightened expectations.
Technical features:
19" × 6" × 17 3/4"
X5 Series 2
Ultra-revealing and with breathtaking precision, the Michi X5 Series 2 integrated amplifier uses an 8-channel ESS SABER digital-to-analog converter and delivers 600 watts in pure class AB into 4 ohms. It features analog, digital, XLR, aptX™ HD Bluetooth, PC-USB and phono inputs, both moving magnet and moving coil.
Technical features:
19" × 7 5/8" × 17 3/4"