John Darko
Rotel is expanding its line-up of Michi-branded high-end electronics. The incoming Q5 is a large CD player/transport and DAC whose disc mechanism is spring-mounted. But it isn’t a slot-loader or a drawer. It’s a top-loader.
From the press release: “The bespoke, top-loading CD mechanism is constructed with precision optical laser pickup housed in a premium CNC-machined aluminum chassis that offers exceptional durability in a sleek, modern aesthetic.”
The Q5’s DAC circuit is built around an ESS Labs ES9028PRO chip, implemented in fully-differential and fully-balanced modes to output via balanced XLR or single-ended RCA sockets on the back panel. Nearby sit coaxial and TOSLINK outputs so that the Q5 can run as a CD transport. The twist? 24bit-192kHz coaxial, 24bit-192kHz TOSLINK and 32-bit/384kHz + MQA + DSD USB-B inputs show up to give third-party devices – streamers, TVs and games consoles – access to the Q5’s internal DAC.
However, as we know, a DAC is only as good as its power supply (and analogue output stage). The Q5 uses a pair of in-house-wound toroidal transformers to separate its analogue and digital power feeds. It goes further: the CD drive’s power supplies are electrically isolated from the audio signal path to stop motor noise from negatively impacting sound quality.
Why the Ethernet socket? The press release doesn’t say but my best guess is to afford the Q5’s internal processing engine Internet access for conducting CD database look-ups — after all, the press release does tell us that the full-colour TFT display on the front panel “showcases CD album artwork to enhance your listening enjoyment with visual appeal.”
A remote control wand of an unknown type (IR or Bluetooth?) is also provided.
Shipping begins in November for US$6999, โฌ5999 or ยฃ5499.
Further information: Michi by Rotel
