John Darko
One for the frugalphiles: Rotel has announced the A8 integrated amplifier; a low profile, full-width integrated amplifier with three line-level inputs (CD, Tuner, Aux) and a MM phono stage for suitably equipped turntables. No DAC, no streaming, no worries. Also on the back panel, we find one set of loudspeaker binding posts (not two) and, out front, a 3.5mm headphone socket.
The internal amplifier is a Class A/B design powered by a toroidal transformer wound in-house at Rotel’s Zhuhai factory. The press release quotes the A8’s power rating at 40wpc. But that’s into 4 Ohms. The industry standard is to quote amplifier power output into 8 Ohms before providing a 4 Ohm rating. And despite specifying 8 Ohm ratings for its other integrated amplifiers, Rotel’s website carries only the 4 Ohm rating for the A8, which leaves us to guess the rest: approximately 20wpc into 8 Ohms. UPDATE: Rotel has since added an 8 Ohm rating to the small print of the A8’s web page: 30wpc.
This means the A8 will need to be speaker-paired with care. Experience tells us that pushing 30wpc into standmount speakers clocking in at 85dB – 87dB sensitivity might not play as loud as we’d like and/or there will be some loss of fidelity at the uppermost range of the volume dial. Higher sensitivity (90+db) speakers from JBL, Klipsch or Zu might better fit the A8’s bill.
Pricing on Rotel’s new entry-level integrated comes in at US$449, €399 or £399. Your choice of black or silver.
Further information: Rotel
