Rotel A12MKII Stereo Integrated Amplifier & CD14MKII CD Player Review

[@Pitbull0669]

Love Rotel. I did some Amp reviews when I wrote for AVS . This company does things right.A+

[@luvwutsnew401]

You're right but they do things late too.

[@shaunrichards744]

Wow Rotelhifi is really back lately, been buying their products since 1989 and moved away to different audio brands early 2000s feel like going back to them.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it sounds really great for the $$ and lasts a very long time, some of the pieces we sold back in the early 80's are still in our customers systems.

[@shaunrichards744]

@@AudioAdvice That would be true, still have some Rotel products in there original boxes. RSP-976, RSP-1570, DVD RDV-995,. RB- 1565 5 channel amp in use with my Marantz SR6014. Have a good day.👍

[@fcamiola]

My daily cd player is a 1999 RCD 951. Ill cry the day that thing goes. I have it hooked up to a Rogue Sphinx v3 and Focal Chora 826 via Audioquest Type 8. Simply stunning. Project Classic Evo TT with Hana SL. Appalachian Spring by Orpheus on DG is beyond incredible. I get real deal classical tones and timbres via this system, and I'm a trained orchestra musician/teacher. Anyway, this Rotel or the 1572 mkii might be my next cd player. Cheers!

[@sethfm9773]

I'm quite excited for these. Rotel products are a great value for their performance. I really appreciate the breakdown on the new features.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for watching

[@chrisgargiulo304]

Looks like a quality product.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you!

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

I bought a Rotel A12 recently and definitely love it. My only complaint is that there is no Mono switch for when I play Mono LPS.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks, yes, that would be handy.

[@johncollins1365]

Fantastic video. Just ordered the CD player today and this was extremely informative. Liked and subbed.

[@AudioAdvice]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for watching.

[@chadl1142]

Nice to see some new CD players coming out.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it is, a lot of people still have substantial collections. Thanks for sharing

[@crish7832]

Hello, I owned a Rotel A11 Tribute, it’s a great amp that I love, probably one of the best in this price range. I tested a Cambridge CXA81 ( after watching the video of the CXA81 here), the Cambridge has an incredible punch and dynamics while Rotel is softer. I did not like the Cambridge for several reasons (Medium much too present for my taste, volume control not progressive enough, terminal blocks of poor quality). In the end, I bought a RA1572MKII which is really very good! it is very detailed and remains very soft, it is never aggressive, I love the sound it delivers. I really like the Rotel sound but I find them 2 "flaws": they lack punch and dynamics compared to the CXA81 which is a marvel in these areas, some people may even find that the Rotel amps lack life, that they are a bit boring.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing. We're glad you were able to test them out and find exactly what you enjoy!

[@davidthelink]

Very informative video. Looks like a solid line from Rotel; it's nice to see a full feature set at this price.

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicolamenegazzi6153]

Thanks for the review, I was looking at the A12 but undecided because of the somewhat dated DAC. I guess this release solves the issue.

[@AudioAdvice]

It does! Thanks for watching

[@Tutundziev]

damn it i just bought the original A12 a few months back :) the amp is amazing for the price only the phono is a lower volume than my previous amp, B&W Aura Evolution VA 100 II. I hope there's not a huge sound difference between the mark I and this Mark II except the DAC which i rarely use it. I'm looking for a CD player and I was gonna go for the CD11 Tribute, but this looks great. Also is the volume control the same as the A12, not working as a usual control, you have to pump it to 50-60 to get a decent volume? Awesome video as usual

[@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071]

I have the same situation. I had some Adcom separates that tanked on me. I never put the volume over 1/4. No on my Rotel I have to push it to 55 or 60 to get the same level. My only complaint is that there’s no Mono switch. Otherwise I’m very happy with it.

[@Tutundziev]

@@cheapcheerfulrecordcollect8071 same here, I was amazed by the details and sound signature when I was demoing it, I just said to the guys at the store pack this baby I'm taking it home, it was well ahead than the Audiolab 8300A and the Marantz Pm7000n (to my ears paired with B&W 606 S2 anniversary edition) since the difference in the price was 50 to 100 euros - but only that bugs me is the volume especially on the phono input i have to crank it up to 75 to get the volume level I'm used to (on pc input and cd I can get to 60 - 65), but the great upside is to this is that I can fine tune the volume low enough when listening late in the evening, something I wasn't able to do previously, but for the phono maybe it's the cartridge I'll see when I change it

[@AudioAdvice]

Peter, there are some improvements, but no need to run out and sell your old one. On the volume control, its all how the mfg decides to make the control work. Some companies load the front end to make you "think" the amp is more powerful, when it really is not-example- "wow at 10 o'clock its super loud and I'm not even half way up" Other companies make it very linear and give you the ability to make very small changes at lower volumes. One other advantage of that is on the ones that load it, many times, one channel will drop out before the other at the very low end. It does take some getting used to, but we think the way Rotel started doing it is a better way. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@scottbennett3119]

Thank you, great review. You mentioned if you didn`t want all the digital features, there are better choices for less $. Please tell me about these other products, I am in the market for a new amp. Thank you

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you. Check out this article we did www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/best-integrated-amps-under-1000/

[@johnnyhickman6798]

Love this guy

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks very much! We will pass on your comments to our Founder!

[@joeythedime1838]

Very nice review - thank you. I am new to Rotel and happen to be in the market for a new integrated. I was wondering your thoughts on the Rotel A14MKII compared to the Cambridge Audio CXA81 - they match up very well feature for feature. They would be powering a pair of Polk LSiM 705's.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks, please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com for the best advice. We appreciate you watching

[@mandohawary1273]

Great review as always touching on everything of relevance! Could you describe how this amp is better than the A11 Tribute and whether the differences are worth the price increase?

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks, it just has more dynamics and impact. And if you are going to be using the digital functions, it does have a better DAC. But in a smaller room with sensitive speakers, the A11 is very good, hope this helps

[@andred8837]

Perfect review. Thanks

[@AudioAdvice]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Yiannis2112]

Good, enthusiastic review and great that Rotel still sticks to making CD players. I got two quick questions. a) When you say that with regards to the A12, sonically you would prefer something from the British manufacturers, I guess you mean the Cambridge CXA81, Nad 356BEE and Arcam SA10? b) What is your take on the Rotel RCD1572 player in general and also compared to the CD14MK2?

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you, we have not yet listened to the RCD1572MKII. We were thinking more of the Rega Brio and Cambridge CXA61

[@geographyinaction7814]

Bang on, except NAD is now made in Pickering Ontario.

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

⁠​⁠@@AudioAdvicelove the review, how does the A11 tribute cd player compare to the CD14 mkII ? Is it worth the upgrade? And what are the differences?

[@lukespencer6314]

Nice looking hardware

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you!

[@steventsimtsos4029]

What British Amplifiers "pulled" you into the music more out of curiosity? Thank you and did enjoy your overview 👍

[@AudioAdvice]

Cambridge and Rega. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mcflopper]

So what would you suggest as an all analog alternative to this amp for strictly vinyl guys like me? My speakers are Q Acoustics 3050.

[@AudioAdvice]

The Rega integrated amps are great for analog only. Thanks for watching

[@GANDALF-ml7ck]

il Rotel A14 mk2 costa troppo per le mie tasche, con l'12 mk2 posso fare le stesse cose, posso avere la stesse possibilità di connessioni. entrate e uscite dell'A14? in cosa è peggiore L'A12 mk2? grazie

[@twistyflorahifiaudio8741]

You said that the a12 mii is sonically better than the a11 tribute. Care to elaborate? Thanks!

[@AudioAdvice]

Great question. We felt it just sounded like a much more powerful amp with better bass impact and control, the top end was very similar though. If you go to the Rotel site and look at each with the top off, you'll see why, the A12 is just more robust and as a result weighs a lot more too. Thanks for watching

[@sabresys45]

If you had to choose between A11 Tribute and A12 mkII, driving typical towers (Oberon 5), which would you choose? Are there any tangible sonic differences?

[@AudioAdvice]

Great question, the A12MKII sounds like a more powerful amp. You are paying for some digital audio features compared to the Tribute, but you will get better bass definition with the 12. Thanks for watching

[@tbonet859]

1) Is the CDMK2 CD Player a gapless player? 2) Is this player capable if playing older and newer CD's, as well as CD-R's burned in Flac or WAV ? Thanks.

[@AudioAdvice]

Great question. Come have a chat with one of our Rotel chat experts on audioadvice.io/aa-chat​ and we will be glad to help you you out! Thanks for watching.

[@Goranh]

would it work with the TRIANGLE ESPRIT ANTAL EZ? THAnkssss! :)

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, those are very sensitive speakers, it should drive them well. Thanks for watching

[@TheJiten555]

Hi, could you please recommend some good bookshelf speakers to pair with Rotel a 12 under 700$? Thanks in advance.

[@AudioAdvice]

Reach out to our team of experts at audioadvice.com and they will help you find the perfect match!

[@Theoriginalramjammer]

My experience is the Q acoustics concept 20’s work well with the current Rotel ‘A’ integrated range.

[@richardkordts8656]

Dealers “reviewing” gear is just ridiculous. It’s so disingenuous to call it a review

[@nc3419]

That blue screen just doesn't appeal to me at all. If it were OLED or a non backlit led and would shut off it would be better.

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing your feedback with us!

[@marko-182]

@@AudioAdviceis it possoboe to shut off backlight?

[@MrRab1960]

Many amps don't even have a screen so...

[@gaylon747]

As usual I listen to your analysis but don't get A PRICE. I cannot express how dissatisfied I an with Audio Advice! A few more like this and I must turn elsewhere.

[@AudioAdvice]

Gaylon, we are sorry you are disappointed in the lack of pricing. We had to stop putting pricing in our videos with the current state where prices are changing so often. It just resulted in too many upset customers who would watch a 1 or 2 year old video and find out the price had gone up substantially. You can always click on the video link in the description which will take you to our written article where you can see the current price which will be updated if it changes.

[@Gadgetdad007]

Buzz off then. 🤬

[@gaylon747]

@@AudioAdvice How about giving the price at time of podcast? ie, at date of broadcast it's $$ .

[@cpg8000]

@@gaylon747 how about YOU take it upon yourself to look up the price whenever you wish? Let me know if there are any other easy problems I can solve for you. Remember, I’m here for YOU, anytime, and for anything. Just let me know how I can help 👍🏽

[@gaylon747]

Thanks.

[@rarb6191]

Не давно приобрёл, данную систему. Звук cd отличный. Прозрачный, слышны низкие и высокие частоты. Звук значительно лучше чем через сетевой проигрователь магнат mms 730, подключённый к rotel a12 mk 2.