Rotel Michi Q5 Transport DAC

About The Rotel Michi Q5 Transport DAC

Meet the Michi Q5 – a high-performance CD player and DAC that blends cutting-edge tech with sleek design and seriously impressive sound. Whether you're diving deep into your CD collection or streaming high-res digital files, the Q5 delivers rich, detailed audio with ease.

Crafted with a premium CNC aluminium top-loading CD mechanism, the Q5 looks as good as it sounds. That floating spring assembly? It’s not just for show – it keeps unwanted vibrations at bay, ensuring your music plays smoothly and accurately every time. 

At the core of the Q5 is the powerful ESS ES9028PRO DAC. This 8-channel beast dedicates four channels to each audio path, digging out the finest details in your music and spreading it across a wide, immersive soundstage. Thanks to its fully balanced design, you’ll get clean, low-noise output through both XLR and RCA connections. Plus, with coaxial and optical outputs, the Q5 can double as a top-tier CD transport.

Power-wise, it’s just as thoughtful. Dual in-house toroidal transformers separately power the digital and analogue sections, keeping noise and interference to a minimum. Even the CD drive’s power supply is isolated to keep your audio signal pure and uninterrupted.

Connectivity? The Q5 has you covered. It supports PC-USB up to 32-bit/384kHz, with MQA and DSD 4X support, plus 24-bit/192kHz coaxial and optical inputs – making it a versatile DAC for just about any digital source you’ve got.

The front panel is clean and minimalist, featuring a full-colour TFT display that can show off album artwork while you listen. It’s a classy, modern touch that adds a bit of visual flair to the experience.

Controlling everything is easy with the included Michi remote, and for those with a more complex setup, RS232 and Ethernet ports make it a breeze to integrate with your existing home automation system.

In short, the Michi Q5 is built for audiophiles who want top-tier performance, elegant design, and the flexibility to handle all their digital sources. If you’re serious about sound, this is the CD player to beat.

Our Review

The Rotel Michi Q5 Transport DAC is a seriously impressive CD player that blends top-tier sound with stunning design. It uses a precision-machined, top-loading aluminium CD mechanism that’s mounted on a floating spring system - helping cut down on vibrations for cleaner, more accurate playback.

At the heart of it all is the highly regarded ESS ES9028PRO DAC, delivering crystal-clear, low-noise audio thanks to its fully balanced differential setup. The Q5 also doubles as a top-notch DAC for your digital sources, with flexible connection options like PC-USB (up to 32-bit/384kHz, plus MQA and DSD support), as well as 24-bit/192kHz coaxial and optical inputs. Oh, and it’s Roon Tested!

Power is handled by dual in-house toroidal transformers and separate power supplies, keeping interference to a minimum for even better performance. The clean, minimalist front panel features a vibrant full-colour TFT display, and it comes with an easy-to-use remote and solid integration options. If you're after high-end sound wrapped in refined elegance, the Q5 has you covered.