About The Rotel A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier
The Rotel A12 MKII integrated amplifier hits the price performance sweet spot with a wealth of analogue and digital connections, Bluetooth AptX built-in and a high current 60 Watt amplifier section that produces a smooth, effortless, dynamic sound. The A12 MKII Integrated Amplifier measures only a slim 80 mm (3 inches) tall but stands well above its sleek design profile in performance and feature set for all music lovers.
The heart of the A12 MKII begins with Rotel's in-house manufactured oversized toroidal transformer feeding high efficiency storage and smoothing capacitors for deep, controlled bass energy. The power supply features multiple voltage and current regulators delivering independent power to critical analogue, digital and amplification stage circuits isolating sensitive low voltage signals from high power speaker outputs lowering the noise floor and reducing unwanted distortion. Circuit design follows Rotel's proprietary Balanced Design Concept with physical and electrical isolation techniques delivering exceptionally clean audio. The A12M KII is replete with inputs supporting your favourite sources including a Moving Magnet Phono Stage for vinyl fans, 4 RCA analogue, 4 digital, PC-USB and high quality aptX Bluetooth for wireless streaming.
A premium 32-bit Texas Instruments Digital to Analogue converter extracts genuine and accurate details of the music with custom output filters and preamplifier circuits preserving the integrity of the audio stream. The Class AB amplifier delivers 60 Watts of dynamic power into 8 ohms utilizing high current, fast transient output devices for improved accuracy of the music timing and a more lifelike reproduction of audio into dual A-B speaker binding posts. The IR remote, front panel controls, and graphic display ensure effortless operation. RS232, 12V triggers and remote input ensure seamless integration with control systems. Slim and powerful the A12MKII delivers on Rotel's iconic brand heritage.
A Closer Look At The Rotel A12 MKII
The A12 MKII integrated amplifier displays the same clean lines and intuitive operation as the Rotel A14 MKII with output power rated at 60 watts per channel RMS into 8 ohms.
All aspects of the design have been optimized to retain the full dynamic range and subtle nuances of your music. When chasing uncompromising audio performance there are many factors to consider and Rotel's engineers are particularly proud of the work they have done on the A12 MKII's power supply. The power supply is the heart of any amplifier and an area where considerable time and investment needs to be spent. Rotel don't just buy in off-the-shelf transformers, they actually manufacture their own toroidal transformers in-house to high tolerances using carefully selected raw materials from high quality suppliers. The result is a rugged, highly regulated power supply that will effortlessly reproduce the most demanding music even under dynamic conditions or with difficult speaker loads. Even though this type of design is more expensive to manufacture, Rotel go to these lengths because they know the positive effects it has on music reproduction.
The printed circuit boards inside the A12 MKII are designed with Symmetrical Circuit Traces. This ensures that the precise timing of the music is maintained and faithfully recreated. The circuitry uses metal film resistors and polystyrene or polypropylene capacitors in important signal paths. All aspects of this design have been examined to ensure the most faithful music reproduction.
Being the fully featured integrated amplifier that it is the A12 MKII naturally has a selection of analogue inputs including an MM Phono input for a turntable. There are also Preamp outputs so you can add a second or larger amplifier or connect to a subwoofer or two.
With a new digital section designed around the premium Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz digital-to-analogue converter, there are two coaxial & two optical digital inputs as well as a USB-B socket to connect your computer and a front panel USB-A socket to play music from an Apple mobile device. There is also Bluetooth aptX built-in for streaming sound from a phone, tablet or laptop.
Other convenience features include a fully featured remote control that can also control other Rotel products, A & B speaker selection, bass, treble & balance controls, front panel display dimming and a high quality headphone output.
Rotel A12 Reviews
Naturally many nice things have been written about the Rotel A12 and they apply equally to the new A12 MKII. We have included a small selection below for your reading pleasure.
"The A12 is the sort of amp you can build a first rate audiophile system around, and not break the bank." C-Net
"The Rotel A12 is an easy recommendation for anyone looking to move beyond mass-market stereo receivers. It delivers great sound for under $2,000, with enough power to make it compatible with many speakers." Sound Stage Access
The Rotel A12 is one of the few amps we've reviewed with a PC friendly USB input—and it does so for under $2,000. The amp's delicious midrange and overall musicality are practically miraculous at this price. Bluetooth sweetens the deal, though if you want network audio features, you'll have to look elsewhere or be willing to add an external gadget. But for those who want a fine cabled solution to most connectivity challenges, this little amp excels. Sound & Vision
"When deciding to buy an integrated amplifier, two of the most important factors are (1) how many devices need to be connected, and (2) how much power will your speakers need. It is hard to imagine that young audio junkies will ever fill up all of the digital and analog inputs or that their trendy mini-monitor loudspeakers will ever exhaust the ample power that this unit delivers (unless, of course, they listen at levels that will cause eventual deafness). The A12 goes one step further as it tosses in a phono circuit for moving magnet cartridges and an excellent internal DAC that will do justice to digital sources up to 192kHz/24-bit resolutions. At less than half of the price of the deluxe RA-1592, the A12 integrated will get you more than halfway up the stairway to audio heaven." Theatre Byte
About Rotel
One of the most revered names in audio, Rotel is still privately-owned by the original family that founded it in the 1960s. No small feat in this day and age. Also extremely rare in this industry, the Rotel headquarters house all aspects of the brand in one place from the CEO through to the marketing team, production-line technicians and warehousing.
The Rotel company is well-known as a family run business in the most fundamental definition of the phrase. Fostering a collaborative environment where everyone's ideas are heard and the entire company can work seamlessly under one roof as a cohesive team. Using zero outsourcing, each and every Rotel amplifier and component is hand assembled and stress-tested in-house by a small, dedicated team of skilled technicians.
With this wonderful heritage it's really no wonder Rotel components are so great to use and listen to. And we're not the only ones to think so as Rotel products have received hundreds of international awards and made lots of customers very happy all around the world. Scroll down to explore the Rotel range.
Our Take On The Rotel A12 MKII
The A12 MKII accomplishes an incredible amount for the money. It has a phono input for people keen on spinning black discs and in a decidedly more modern twist it also features Bluetooth aptX streaming and a full suite of digital inputs feeding a premium Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz digital-to-analogue converter. Then there is the attention Rotel have paid to the robust in-house toroidal power supply and power amp circuit to produce a robust 60 Watts per channel into 8 ohms. On top of all this are the various niceties like A & B speaker switching, bass & treble control and a quality headphone section, not to mention the fully featured remote to keep everything under control. At the price, the Rotel A12 MKII is very hard to beat.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: 60 Watt Stereo Integrated Amplifier
- Connections: Audio Inputs: MM Phono, CD, Tuner, Aux 1, Aux 2, Coaxial digital x 2, Optical digital x 2, USB-B for computer audio, Bluetooth aptX dongle for audio streaming, front panel USB-A compatible with Apple iOS products
- Audio Outputs: A & B Speakers, Headphone, Preamp/Subwoofer
- General Inputs/Outputs: Rotel Link (for controlling other Rotel products), External Remote, 12V Trigger In/Out, RS232
- Continuous Power Output: 60 Watts per channel (20 - 20kHz, < 0.03%, 8 ohms)
- Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.03% (20 Hz - 20 kHz at rated power)
- Intermodulation Distortion: < 0.03% (60 Hz : 7kHz, 4:1)
- Frequency Response
- Phono Input: 20Hz - 20kHz, ± 0.5dB
- Line Level Inputs: 10Hz - 100kHz, ± 0.5dB
- Damping Factor: 220 (20 - 20,000 Hz, 8 ohms)
- Input Sensitivity / Impedance
- Phono Input: 3.4 mV / 47k Ohms
- Line Level Inputs: 230 mV / 24k Ohms
- Input Overload
- Phono Input: 50 mV
- Line Level Inputs: 4 V
- Preamp Output / Impedance: 1.2 V / 470 Ohms
- Tone Controls - Bass / Treble: ± 10 dB at 100Hz / 10kHz
- Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF "A" weighting)
- Phono Input: 90 dB
- Line Level Inputs: 100 dB
Digital Section
- Frequency Response: 10Hz - 90kHz (± 2.0dB, max)
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 103 dB (IHF "A" weighted)
- Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 0 dBfs / 75 Ohms
- Preamplifier Output Level: 1.4 V (at - 20dB)
- Coaxial/ Optical Inputs: SPDIF LPCM (up to 24bit / 192kHz)
- PC USB-B Input
- USB Audio Class 1.0 (up to 24bit / 96kHz)
- USB Audio Class 2.0 (up to 32bit / 384kHz - Driver installation required)
- Certified Roon Tested
General
- Power Consumption: 230 watts
- Standby Power Consumption: < 0.5 watts
- Finish: Black or Silver
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 93 x 345mm
- Weight: 8.76kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE