Rotel DX 5

[manicm]

A compact, very attractive 25w amp with the best ESS chip and HDMI, but at GBP1400, surely I'm missing something, but can't figure it out if my life depended on it?

It looks fabulous though, and hopefully this design replaces their current slabs.

 

[RoA]

Nice looking, reasonably versatile little thing. Missing subwoofer management and one analogue in may be an issue but 25 watts is probably enough for most circumstances. I'd probably be happy with one.

The obvious competitor would probably be something like a WiiM amplifier ... but it doesn't look as good.

DX-5

The Rotel DX-5 is the ultimate Personal Audio Integrated Amplifier blending cutting-edge technologies, versatile connectivity, packaged in a sleek, elegant, industrial design. Engineered for audiophiles, music lovers, and home entertainment enthusiasts, the DX-5 delivers 33 watts @ 4 ohms (25...

rotel.com

 

[daytona600]

Look like a mini michi without the price tag
£1400 with Roon , Arc looks pretty decent for a compact streaming amp

 

[twinkletoes]

Nice looking, reasonably versatile little thing. Missing subwoofer management and one analogue in may be an issue but 25 watts is probably enough for most circumstances. I'd probably be happy with one.

The obvious competitor would probably be something like a WiiM amplifier ... but it doesn't look as good.

DX-5

The Rotel DX-5 is the ultimate Personal Audio Integrated Amplifier blending cutting-edge technologies, versatile connectivity, packaged in a sleek, elegant, industrial design. Engineered for audiophiles, music lovers, and home entertainment enthusiasts, the DX-5 delivers 33 watts @ 4 ohms (25...

rotel.com

Given rotels rep for amp tech im willing to bet it walk all over it from a hard wear point of view.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

I think I'd go WiiM still; or if I was prepared to spend that kind of money and wanted compact, Lyngdorf.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Look like a mini michi without the price tag
£1400 with Roon , Arc looks pretty decent for a compact streaming amp

Is it a "streaming amp" or just an amp with BT?

 

[plastic penguin]

I like the look of it. Rotel have always made good looking, understated designs.

 

[manicm]

Is it a "streaming amp" or just an amp with BT?

Just BT, so 'Roon Tested' is just superfluous.

 

[manicm]

Look like a mini michi without the price tag
£1400 with Roon , Arc looks pretty decent for a compact streaming amp

It's not a streaming amp. It only has Bluetooth, and HDMI. That still does not explain its GB1400 price tag for only a 24w amplifier.

 

[manicm]

Look like a mini michi without the price tag
£1400 with Roon , Arc looks pretty decent for a compact streaming amp

It's NOT a streaming amp, only BT. And 1400 quid for 25w???

 

[manicm]

Nice looking, reasonably versatile little thing. Missing subwoofer management and one analogue in may be an issue but 25 watts is probably enough for most circumstances. I'd probably be happy with one.

The obvious competitor would probably be something like a WiiM amplifier ... but it doesn't look as good.

DX-5

The Rotel DX-5 is the ultimate Personal Audio Integrated Amplifier blending cutting-edge technologies, versatile connectivity, packaged in a sleek, elegant, industrial design. Engineered for audiophiles, music lovers, and home entertainment enthusiasts, the DX-5 delivers 33 watts @ 4 ohms (25...

rotel.com

25w for 1400 quid??? And it has no streaming, just bluetooth.

 

[daytona600]

The 1st watt is all the matters , if this sounds bad they all will
never mind if output is 25 or 25,000watts

30wpc /£ 27,500

Expensive and low-powered, but this Class A integrated amplifier is a spellbinding performer

Expensive and low-powered, but spellbinding all the same

www.whathifi.com

 

[manicm]

The 1st watt is all the matters , if this sounds bad they all will
never mind if output is 25 or 25,000watts

30wpc /£ 27,500

Expensive and low-powered, but this Class A integrated amplifier is a spellbinding performer

Expensive and low-powered, but spellbinding all the same

www.whathifi.com

You're comparing a conventional A/B amp to a true Class A one - there is simply no contest. And yet the review states the limited power presents limitations, Class A or not.
So please, justify a conventional A/B 25w amp, no streaming, at GBP1400, which costs more than a Rega Elex Mk4 for example????

I want to know what special sauce it has, since Rotel is not telling. And don't call it a Michi Lite, because any Michi amp is hugely powerful - more power than you'll ever need. And the DX5 is not that mate.

If the 1st watt is all that matters a Class A watt is always superior to a Class A/B one.

 

[Revolutions]

Certainly looks cool. I also like the styling of the Marantz M1, which actually is a streaming amp.

 

[manicm]

Certainly looks cool. I also like the styling of the Marantz M1, which actually is a streaming amp.

It definitely looks very cool - I hope this is the look Rotel adopts for new amplifiers.

 

[daytona600]

Makes a Rega Elex look like a real sea monster
Rotel sell in volume globally & will out sell rega 100.1 or more
Has all the modern bells & whistles . Reg could not spell Apps !
roon / wireless / usb / hdmi arc coming to a rega near you in 2035
Women would buy it on looks

 

[Shrek]

All these small units get hot 🔥 over time they will fail before a larger unit will. Never trusted the compact Amps. The Marantz does have a good heat sink for a small unit and more power and flexibility .

 

[manicm]

Makes a Rega Elex look like a real sea monster
Rotel sell in volume globally & will out sell rega 100.1 or more
Has all the modern bells & whistles . Reg could not spell Apps !
roon / wireless / usb / hdmi arc coming to a rega near you in 2035
Women would buy it on looks
View attachment 8868

IT DOES NOT HAVE WIRELESS, IT HAS NO STREAMING.

 

[daytona600]

Wireless - Bluetooth with aptX™ HD and AAC
Streaming - Roon Tested Certified Roon Tested

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Integrated amp with BT is what it is!

 

[manicm]

Wireless - Bluetooth with aptX™ HD and AAC
Streaming - Roon Tested Certified Roon Tested

IT DOES NOT CONTAIN A WIFI STREAMER.

 

[twinkletoes]

People see Roon and think wireless streaming, its not though in this case. Roon is through the wired USB connection only!

But I don't really see what the fuss is about, id rather it didn't have streaming built in, id rather add my own streamer of which there are many to suit any budget .

Most will have a smart phone/tablet, connect it via USB job done for most people. HECK a TV into the HDMI port will do it.

As for the wattage vs price it has no correlation.

You can apply the same logic to any amp or product, really! I have a Marantz PM7200 that’s 100 watts per channel in AB mode. When I bought it, it cost me £300. Back then and even today, there are/where many other 100 watt amps that cost 5 times as much as the PM7200. What separates them? What separates my Naim Nait 50 from my marantz in its class A mode and AB mode? I know but reading paper specs wont tell you that difference.

Value and where you place it and what you consider reasonable.

 

[manicm]

People see Roon and think wireless streaming, its not though in this case. Roon is through the wired USB connection only!

But I don't really see what the fuss is about, id rather it didn't have streaming built in, id rather add my own streamer of which there are many to suit any budget .

Most will have a smart phone/tablet, connect it via USB job done for most people. HECK a TV into the HDMI port will do it.

As for the wattage vs price it has no correlation.

You can apply the same logic to any amp or product, really! I have a Marantz PM7200 that’s 100 watts per channel in AB mode. When I bought it, it cost me £300. Back then and even today, there are/where many other 100 watt amps that cost 5 times as much as the PM7200. What separates them? What separates my Naim Nait 50 from my marantz in its class A mode and AB mode? I know but reading paper specs wont tell you that difference.

Value and where you place it and what you consider reasonable.

TV apps do not do gapless streaming, perhaps Spotify only, The Naim Nait has 'peaks of 225w', Rotel makes no such claim.

At GBP1400 you have a wide choice of much more powerful amplifiers with a wider choice of speakers, regardless of how pretty the Rotel looks.

Nobody else, nor Rotel can explain the price. And I want HDMI for watching TV, not for listening to music.

Also, although it has a Sub output it has NO bass management.

For comparison, the Marantz Model 60n is 1300 quid with 60w, with full wifi streaming onboard, as well as HDMI. However I'm still willing to give Rotel the benefit of the doubt on its power handling - but they don't emphasise how.

 

[Gray]

...However I'm still willing to give Rotel the benefit of the doubt on its power handling - but they don't emphasise how.

Well the WHF article mentions its 'high current output transistors', but, as always, the proof will be in the listening.