Description
The Rotel Michi Q5 is more than just a CD player. It's an uncompromising sound source, built for those who still believe in the power of physical media and want to get the most out of it. In a world where streaming rules the roost, the Q5 is the answer: "we can do better."
Inside is the flagship ESS SABRE ES9028PRO digital-to-analog converter, which operates in balanced mode, delivering four channels to each stereo channel. This provides stunning accuracy and transparency of sound. Dynamics, air, stage - all this is not just there, but present in such quantity that there is a desire to listen to the collection again, but already "in a new way".
The drive itself is mechanically perfect, mounted on a platform with dampers to dampen vibrations. Discs are loaded from above, manually - not through a tray. It is not just beautiful, but also reliable: no motorized parts that wear out over time.
But the Michi Q5 is not only a CD. It is also a powerful external DAC. Connect a computer via USB and you will get PCM playback up to 32-bit / 384kHz, support for DSD256 and MQA. There are also optical and coaxial inputs, no Bluetooth - and that's good. Everything here is focused only on quality.
The output is balanced XLR and RCA. You can use the Q5 as a CD transport by connecting it to an external DAC, although, to be honest, there are hardly many devices that can sound better.
The design is a discreet luxury. A black body with glossy accents, a large display that displays album covers, a solid weight and tactile perfection in everything. Michi is a brand that does not shout, but clearly makes it clear: you have something very serious in front of you.
