Rotel, just announced the launch of three new Michi Series 2 models – Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier, X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifiers and P5 Series 2 Stereo Preamplifier.These latest models demonstrate the brand’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional value with ultra-high performance, and all three showcase Michi’s meticulously crafted, exquisite industrial design.
The three new Series 2 models boast Michi’s exclusive multi-award winning acoustic engineering design methods and collectively feature over 320 component upgrades. All models have been updated utilizing eight-channel ESS SABRE ES9028PRO 32-bit 768kHz Digital to Analog converters.
Power supplies and audio circuitry have been reengineered and refined to render music with increased precision and detail on an immersive sound stage. Optimized signal paths, and lower-noise circuitry present music against a very quiet background with vanishingly low distortion.
The Michi X3 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier delivers an unparalleled listening experience, showcasing over 90 component upgrades delivering exceptional accuracy, refinement, and detail on an expansive soundstage. The size-efficient, elegant industrial design delivers 350 watts of output power into 4 ohms from Analog, Digital, PC-USB (MQA, PCM, DSD), XLR, and wireless aptX™ HD Bluetooth sources. A Moving Magnet Phono Stage is also included for classic vinyl lovers.
The Michi X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier is authoritative and precise driving an enviable 600 watts of Class AB output into 4 ohms powered by dual in-house manufactured oversized, shielded, low-noise toroidal transformers. This amplifier features over 95 component changes resulting in ultra-revealing music with breathtaking accuracy. A wide array of source inputs is supported including Analog, Coaxial, Optical, XLR Balanced, aptX™ HD Wireless Bluetooth, PC-USB supporting MQA hardware decoding (24-bit 384kHz), PCM (32-bit 384kHz), and DSD 4X. A selectable Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Phono Stage input is included for vinyl fans.
The Michi P5 Series 2 Preamplifier has been updated and refined with over 125 component upgrades rendering digital music through dual 8-channel ESS SABRE DACs specially adapted to MONO mode extracting an unprecedented level of musical detail. Dual toroidal transformers isolate digital and analog power supply feeds further reduce noise and distortion levels with exacting positioning and accuracy. Supported source inputs include Analog, Digital, and PC-USB with hardware MQA decoding (24-bit 384kHz), PCM (32-bit 384kHz) and DSD 4X. Wireless Bluetooth supporting aptX™ HD Bluetooth and a Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Phono Stage sources are also included.
“We are thrilled and extremely proud to introduce the Series 2 models of our Michi X3, X5, and P5 models,” says Daren Orth, Rotel’s Chief Technology Officer. Orth continues, “These new products are the pinnacle of Michi audio engineering designed to deliver an even higher level of performance representing our passion to innovate, elevate and improve.”
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The new models are available beginning in April 2023.
Suggested retail prices:
- X3 Series 2 $5,799 €7,000
- X5 Series 2 $7,999 €9,000
- P5 Series 2 $4,599 €5,500
For more information, please contact sales@rotelglobal.com or visit www.michi-hifi.com.
The Audiophile History of Rotel
Rotel is one of those audio brands that has earned respect through consistency rather than hype. Founded in Japan in 1961 by Tomoki “Tac” Tachikawa, the company has always focused on practical, high-performance audio components for music lovers who value sound quality over luxury aesthetics or marketing-driven prestige. Over the decades, Rotel has become known for delivering clean, powerful sound at realistic prices—an approach that has kept it relevant through decades of shifting trends in the audio industry.
In its early years, Rotel functioned largely as an OEM, manufacturing electronics for other companies. But as demand for high-fidelity home audio grew in the 1960s and ’70s, Rotel started releasing products under its own name. The company quickly found its niche in building integrated amplifiers and stereo components that prioritized core engineering over cosmetic flash. Rather than chasing trends, Rotel focused on doing the fundamentals well: solid power supplies, smart circuit layouts, and honest specs.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, Rotel began to distinguish itself further with a philosophy it called Balanced Design—a concept that focused on achieving overall system harmony rather than maximizing any one feature. Rotel gear avoided overly complex circuits or unnecessary features and instead emphasized short signal paths, tight component tolerances, and carefully matched parts. This design discipline resulted in components that were reliable, musically engaging, and offered real value in a market increasingly filled with cost-cutting or over-designed competitors.
This era brought a number of standout products, especially in Rotel’s RA and RB amplifier series. These models gained a following among audiophiles and music enthusiasts for their ability to drive a wide range of loudspeakers with ease. The gear wasn’t flashy, but it delivered in areas that mattered: dynamics, control, and tonal balance.
Rotel’s reputation was further strengthened by its longtime relationship with Bowers & Wilkins (B&W). The two companies frequently shared distribution channels and were commonly paired together in audio showrooms. The sonic synergy between Rotel amplifiers and B&W speakers made them a natural system match, especially for listeners looking for clean, revealing sound without venturing into ultra-high-end pricing. Eventually, Rotel became part of the B&W Group’s global distribution network, further solidifying that connection while still maintaining its independence in product design and manufacturing.
As the home theater market grew in the 2000s, Rotel adapted its lineup to include multichannel amplifiers, AV processors, and home theater receivers. True to its roots, the company focused on delivering high-quality sound rather than chasing every feature trend. In a market often crowded with underwhelming receivers loaded with features but short on fidelity, Rotel’s AV offerings stood out for their stability and sonic performance.
One of the more significant moments in Rotel’s recent history was the launch of Michi, a high-end sub-brand that brought a more premium aesthetic and enhanced performance to the table. With its heavier chassis, upgraded internals, and minimalist industrial design, Michi expanded Rotel’s reach into the higher-end two-channel market. Models like the Michi X3, X5, and S5 earned praise for combining modern design with Rotel’s longstanding engineering values.
Rotel remains a family-run company, still operated by the Tachikawa family. Unlike many competitors that rely on outsourcing or badge engineering, Rotel maintains its own factory and manages all design in-house. This level of vertical integration allows for tighter quality control and long-term reliability—two things the brand has built its reputation on.
