The Rotel Michi S5 Stereo Amplifier is a beast, as I said before. All of these functions are accessible via the remote control. The P5 screen displays source, volume, and when asked a variety of other user adjustable settings like tone controls and balance. Like everything else about the Michi gear the knobs are large, solid, and authoritative. The left knob controls source inputs and the right is volume. Once powered on, the P5 has a video screen in the center that shows a variety of functions as they are selected. Looking at the Rotel Michi P5 Preamplifier, you’ll notice that it has two large knobs on the front, which has a glass plate with a black backing. I put the Rotel Michi S5 Stereo Amplifier on the floor. The P5 was physically deeper than my equipment rack and stuck out the front and back a bit. Americans would likely translate this as “be the best you can be.” I completely understand the choice of Rotel’s flagship moniker and associated design philosophy.Įverything about the Rotel Michi S5 and P5 is big. The journey and the sincere attempt at reaching perfection is the philosophical point of the exercise. In martial arts we usually use the term do, which also translates as “way” or “path.” In either case it points at the lofty and unachievable goal of perfection. Specifications they developed for themselves.Īs a martial artist I am familiar with the concept of Michi. Pushing the design team to the point of potential failure was the goal of upper management, and they felt that Michi accomplished the rigorous Rotel allowed their engineers and designers a no-compromise approach to the Michi line with no specific design schedule or cost/budget requirements, which resulted in three years of product development. Michi, translated from Japanese, means “road” or “path.” Rotel took a new design philosophy with this iteration of the Michi line. Rotel’s flagship line has recently being re-released after a hiatus. Rotel introduced the original Michi line in the mid 1990’s. Michi is a true revolution in acoustic performance at an exceptional price-point ensuring audiophiles, music lovers and casual listeners alike will enjoy countless hours of entertainment. The new Michi series is much more than a simple product evolution. Michi is the culmination of nearly 60 years of Rotel design, engineering and manufacturing expertise of high-performance, high-quality audio and video products. The black glass on black chassis with matte black/grey heat sinks looks very noir, but also makes a lifestyle statement. I’ll get into more details of the Michi’s looks and functionality below, but Michi is not your run-of-the-mill Rotel. freight delivery! Once I unpacked the pallet of gear, I put on my weight belt to lug the huge Rotel Michi S5 out of the box and set it up in my listening room.Įverything about the Michi equipment oozes class. (I know this is a recurring theme, but with COVID-19 the opportunity to get to dealers and shows is limiting my ability to get out and hear gear.) Marc Phillips had favorably reviewed the Rotel A14 integrated not too long ago and I was interested in what Rotel had to offer as I haven’t heard them in quite some time. When Julia Lescarbeau from The McIntosh Group asked if Part-Time Audiophile was interested in some Rotel, I quickly raised my hand. for the S5, these units are as daunting as a sumo wrestler, but as stately looking as a Gundam battlesuit. Harkening from the Land of the Rising Sun, the Rotel Michi P5 Preamplifier and Rotel Michi S5 Stereo Amplifier presented an imposing pair in my listening room.
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