Network amplifiers are They’re popping up everywhere these days, and why shouldn’t they be? A single device that delivers everything from your favorite streaming services to TV content via HDMI ARC is incredibly convenient and shouldn’t be reserved for A/V receivers or powered speakers. For listeners looking for a versatile, high-quality stereo experience, it can make a lot of sense to get everything you need in one refined device.
With a wide field of options available, choosing a traditional audio brand like Rotel also seems to make sense if you have the cash, and Rotel’s new RAS-5000 is well equipped for the task. After testing the amplifier for several weeks, I’m happy to report that the sound quality is as excellent as you’d expect. Its Hulkish frame delivers an equally Hulkish punch for clear, dynamic sound, muscular bass, and enough power to get the most out of high-end speaker pairs.
The RAS-5000 is a capable workhorse with plenty of playback options, but some of the technology is more complicated than you’d expect at this price. Options like Technics’ SU-GX70 (8/10, WIRED recommended) provide a better user experience for less, with a much more practical application. Still, the Rotel has all the tools and its combination of understated clarity and brute force power is formidable. For those with speakers that crave a lot of power, this amplifier has plenty to spare.
a big block
The RAS-5000 arrives in a very large box because it is a very large amplifier. At nearly 6 inches tall and 17 inches deep, it easily eclipses my pint-sized Naim Uniti Atom reference amplifier (8/10, WIRED recommended), and its nearly 35-pound weight officially requires back support for your installation. The overall vibe is industrial, but its rounded edges and shiny metallic finish add a touch of elegance.
The aesthetics are similar to those of its predecessors such as the Rotel RA-1572 MKII, except for the large color screen in the center of the block, which adds a lot of personality. The screen lacks touch controls, a complaint I raised about the Naim Uniti Atom HE headphone amp (8/10, WIRED recommended), but it’s a minor issue here since the RAS-5000 is placed on a console, not a a desktop, and there aren’t that many settings to adjust anyway (more on that later).
Photography: Ryan Waniata
I like the trend toward flashy screens for previewing album art, but the audio nerd in me is more enamored of the Rotel’s constant sampling and bitrate display for everything you play. It’s even more useful because the RAS-5000’s ESS DAC supports high-resolution audio files up to 384 kHz/24-bit when connected to a PC via USB-B with “any format supported by the PC software.” .
How high you fly depends mainly on the source: audio resolution is limited to 192kHz/24bit via optical/coaxial input, while Airplay 2 maxes out at 48kHz/24bit. The system also supports streaming via Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and by roon High-resolution music management software for those looking to create an accessible high-resolution library.
The RAS-5000’s monstrous casing leaves room for an equally monstrous custom toroidal transformer, which will drastically dim the lights when you turn it on. The powerful motor powers an A/B amplification system that delivers up to 140 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 220 watts per channel at 4 ohms. That should be enough to adequately power virtually any pair of high-end speakers you have (within reason).