Rotel Michi Q5
Audiophile DAC and CD player Rotel Michi Q5, fitted with the ESS ES9028PRO converter, for demanding hi-fi systems seeking precise digital-to-analogue conversion.
Description
The Rotel Michi Q5 is a hybrid unit combining a CD player and a digital-to-analogue converter, designed to serve as the digital heart of a high-end hi-fi installation. It allows for both compact disc playback and the processing of external digital sources via its various inputs, offering welcome versatility for a system already equipped with a range of sources.
The ESS ES9028PRO converter, an 8-channel DAC, allocates 4 channels dedicated to each audio path (left and right), enabling particularly precise digital-to-analogue conversion. This architecture results in total harmonic distortion measured at less than 0.0006% on the CD, coaxial, optical and PC-USB inputs, a very low figure that limits signal alteration. The signal-to-noise ratio exceeding 115 dB and the dynamic range exceeding 99 dB demonstrate clean reproduction, even on the finest passages of a recording. The fully balanced circuit and dual toroidal transformers aim to reduce electrical noise and interference, an important point for preserving signal quality throughout the chain.
In terms of connectivity, the Michi Q5 accepts PC-USB inputs at 32-bit/768 kHz for digital-to-analogue conversion, as well as coaxial and optical inputs. It offers a balanced XLR output and an unbalanced RCA output, in addition to Toslink and coaxial digital outputs, allowing easy integration into different amplification setups. The RS232 and Ethernet (RJ45) ports also allow integration into home automation or control systems.
This model is aimed at audiophiles who already have a hi-fi chain built around a separate amplifier, and who are looking to improve the quality of their digital source or to combine several sources (CD, PC, external digital sources) around a single reference converter. The digitally machined aluminium top-loading CD mechanism and the colour TFT screen with album artwork display are aimed at those who place as much importance on ergonomics and aesthetics as on sound performance.
Technical specifications
| Total harmonic distortion | < 0.0006% (CD/Coaxial/Optical/PC-USB inputs) |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20 kHz, +0 dB, -0.1 dB / 10 Hz - 70 kHz, +0 dB, -3 dB |
| Signal to noise ratio | > 115 dB (IHF 'A' weighted) |
| Dynamic range | > 99 dB |
| Digital to analogue converter | ESS ES9028PRO (32-bit/768 kHz DAC) |
| Channel balance | ± 0.5 dB |
| Channel separation | > 104 dB @ 10 kHz |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 485 x 150 x 452 mm |
| Weight | 23.5 kg |
| Connectivity | 1x balanced XLR output, 1x unbalanced RCA output, 1x digital Toslink output, 1x digital coaxial output, 1x digital Toslink input, 1x digital coaxial input, 1x USB B input, 1x RJ45 input |
What to check before buying used
The tray and optical unit deserve testing with several discs, including CD-Rs or older burned discs, as laser wear results in skipping or playback refusal that can be difficult to correct. Also check the USB B input and the RJ45 connection, as the original drivers or firmware may no longer be recognised by a modern system. Testing each digital input, both Toslink and coaxial, helps verify that the converter locks onto the signal without crackling or loss of synchronisation.
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