Rotel has taken the wraps off its initial superior-resolution network audio program: The Rotel S14 Integrated Streamer. The term “integrated” means this electronic participant has an built-in amplifier, so all you require to increase are loudspeakers.
The S14 characteristics a 32-bit ESS Sabre electronic-to-analog converter, and it supports various tunes-streaming companies, which include Spotify. Most prospective buyers, on the other hand, will likely be Qobuz or Tidal customers—and the S14 supports both of those MQA and MQA Studio for subscribers to the latter assistance.
You can also participate in high-res audio data files from a neighborhood server (through wired ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi) a individual laptop (by means of its USB Kind B port) a USB thumb drive (by means of a rear-mounted USB-A port, with guidance for AAC, WMA, and MP3 data files) or a smartphone or transportable electronic audio participant (via Bluetooth, with support for both of those the aptX High definition and AAC codecs). Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast compatibility include even extra overall flexibility.
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Rotel’s streamer is also outfitted with a coaxial electronic audio input to guidance CD gamers, analog stereo inputs for aged-college cassette decks or turntables with line-amount outputs (or a turntable related to phono phase), and pre-amp outputs if you’d favor to link it to a distinctive amplifier. There is also an output for an optional subwoofer.
Rotel’s application for Android and iOS expands your decision of audio resources to online radio and podcasts. A entire-colour exhibit on the entrance panel exhibits album artwork, artist, as very well as album and music titles for the recent choice.
Rotel
Not like numerous network streaming products, which are developed as elements in a house audio procedure, the Rotel S14 Integrated Community Streamer delivers up to 150 Watts of Class AB ability at 4 ohms, so it can straight energy a extensive array of loudspeakers connected to its 5-way binding posts. There’s also a headphone jack on the entrance panel.
The S14 Integrated Community Streamer certainly seems to be promising on paper: A modern day all-in-1 receiver with streaming at its coronary heart and the adaptability to assist any audio resource you might want to join to it.
Even though its $2,500 cost tag tends to make it additional high-priced than some of its level of competition, such as the $1,299 Cambridge Audio CXN (V2), purchasers ought to acquire into account that Rotel’s solution has an built-in Course AB amplifier with ample power to generate everything but the most demanding loudspeakers.
We’ve asked for a sample and hope to publish an in-depth overview in the coming months.