Fully Loaded! Rotel S14 Streaming Amplifier Review

[@Hawkeye242]

Best review on this amp. Thank you. The comparison to a14 mkii and cxa81 was super helpful. I did note that Andrew Robinson hated the S14, but in the same video, he was praising Audiolabs 6000a, which is a very bright amp and most don’t consider anything that special. I think Andrew was disappointed in the new sound direction, but I honestly like a fuller sound and hate bright amps and speakers. I have the S14 arriving today (got it for $1k), so fingers crossed it sounds good to me 😀

[@0102studio]

We all have different tastes, and sound preferences. And I like that many of us have completely different experiences with gear. Let me know how it goes for you!

[@WRPhotography-zx5dv]

Awesome review, I bought the Rotel S14 on sale for 60% off because of your great review. I noticed that at 80% volume I got the overheating icon on the front of the screen when driving my Kef R7s. It sounds great but it cant handle the 3.2 ohm minimum of the Kef R7s. For the price you cant beat it. I guess I gotta hear my music at 75% volume.

[@0102studio]

Thanks for watching, but Oh no! The overheating warning is a bummer! Sorry to hear about that!

[@0102studio]

The “bright side” is that it has preouts. So in the future you can pick up a power amp to help you get past the 75% barrier.

[@Hawkeye242]

What amp were you coming from before this? How would you describe the sound signature of the s14?

[@TheLegohead123]

How do you like your KEF R7? I just got an offer to buy them for 1700€, and thought of buying either this Streaming Amp or the Cambridge Audio CXA81 (discounted as well). Do you think the speakers are still a good choice?

[@WRPhotography-zx5dv]

@@TheLegohead123 I love my R7. Im powering them with my old Nikko alpha ii (120wpc). I havent been able to find an new amp for them yet but will keep looking and hopefully find one that doesnt get hot running the R7. Not many amps can handle the 3.2 ohms on the R7.

[@ramin3080]

I enjoyed watching this review and thanks for that. I have CXN V2 + CXA 81 connected to MA Bronze 500. Recently I am thinking to change my speakers to Silver 500 and my setup to Cambridge Audio EVO 150 or Rotel S14. I will be happy if I know your opinion And looking forward to review CA Evo 150 hopefully

[@0102studio]

Thank you! I would honestly say stat it would be worth considering keeping your Cambridge stack and trying the Silver 300s. They are the best if the Silver series in my opinion.

[@MasterofpuppetsBS]

@@0102studiowhy better than 500?

[@danielpudvay1486]

I agree on the lack of phono stage, nuts it’s the same thing on the M10, HifiRose’s two all-in-ones. Additionally, their original price point would mean its competing against the M10 or HifiRose 201 If you are going to do that, have a touchscreen.

[@0102studio]

It is a strange thing. I wonder why.

[@danielpudvay1486]

I would add, the new version of the NAD C700 has a phono stage. I wonder how the S14 compares to that.

[@0102studio]

@@danielpudvay1486 I would love to find out!

[@teardownz]

Just unboxed this unit from a double sealed box from US authorized retailer. The manual stack scratched the top of the unit its paint from shipping. One of the binding post protectors was jangling INSIDE the amp. Shook out the piece and tried it out. Sounds TINNY and terrible. My Cambridge Audio CXA61 got swapped right back in its spot. So disappointed. First and LAST rotel purchase.CXA61 seemed twice as powerful driving the B&W 606 S2 speakers. It had a LOT more power. No wonder this unit is sitting at 999$ instead of the 2500 MSRP

[@0102studio]

That sucks. Sorry to hear that!

[@andreya8769]

Will S14 play music from iPad Pro usb-c connected to the usb port? Or is the usb port just for a flash drive?

[@0102studio]

Oooh y’know I never tried an iPad, but the USB a takes a standard usb stick up to 32 gB. The USB B took a connection from my Macbook pro.

[@andreya8769]

@@0102studioThank you! I know that Rotel A14 can play from iOS devices connected to its usb port on the front panel. S14 does not have that port on the front. And there is no info in the S14 manual about plugging iOS devices to it. Don’t know if macOS is different from iOS in handling music playback via pc-usb port Now I also have iPhone 15 with usb-c… would be good to know if it can play via cable connection to S14 As airplay provides only limited quality, can’t play hi-res

[@alvinbroadcasts]

saw an ipad to dragonfly to rotel... kzbin.info/www/bejne/laipfa2OhdlmkJo Does it answer your question?

[@johnparty4442]

No input phono MM!!!! 😂