Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Stereo Amplifier/DAC

About The Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Stereo Amplifier/DAC

Welcome to Michi. These premier, flagship products are the culmination of over 55 years of audio design experience built on the history and heritage of Rotel, delivering an unsurpassed level of audio performance all packaged in the most elegant of industrial designs.

Michi is the embodiment of the passion and ongoing commitment of this family owned audio business, continuing to deliver on the promise of engineering and manufacturing only the highest quality audio components. Over 5 decades of design experience, critical review of all sonic components and a bespoke acoustic tuning process coupled with a dedicated in-house Michi manufacturing facility ensures these products are proudly deserving to wear the Michi brand.

The optimized, custom designed power supply engineered in every Michi product ensures all critical audio circuits receive dynamic, stabilized power for breathtaking performance. Oversized, in house manufactured toroidal transformers supported by high efficiency, low ESR slit-foil capacitors deliver ripple free, isolated power to the analogue and digital circuits ensuring an accurate reproduction of the audio while maintaining critical tone, rhythm and tempo.

Musical expression is the true test of character for any audio product and is where the integrity of Michi is most easily recognized. Audition the Michi products to see, feel, and hear audio performance at its best.

"We are very excited about the introduction of the X3 and X5 Michi amplifiers" said Daren Orth, Chief Technology Officer of Rotel. "The X3 and X5 are a natural extension of the ground-breaking work we have achieved with the relaunch of the Michi brand. These Integrated Amplifiers represent the best of Rotel and represent nearly six decades of engineering excellence, with products manufactured to the highest quality standards and offered with unsurpassed value."

A Closer Look At The Michi X3

To introduce anyone to the X3 as the junior burger in the Michi range is to bring at least a wry smile and probably raised eyebrows to boot. This 'entry level' model could very well be the flagship in most amplifier lineups with an effortless 200 Watts on tap into 8 Ohms which increases significantly into lower impedance loudspeakers.

The Michi X3 Integrated Amplifier delivers uncompromised audio performance with a full array of source inputs including Analogue, Digital, PC-USB with MQA rendering & Roon, XLR, apt-X Bluetooth and a Moving Magnet Phono Stage connection for classic vinyl lovers. The X3 is conveniently packaged in an elegant industrial design delivering 350 watts of Class AB power to 4 ohm speakers while maintaining musical accuracy with exceptional acoustic detail. With its beguiling musicality, the X3 is sure to bring countless hours of entertainment for all listening styles and music genre.

Digital Done Right: An AKM 32 bit, 768kHz DAC preforms the critical digital to analogue conversion and is complimented by hand selected components in all critical circuits leveraging over 58 years of audio design experience. Countless hours of listening sessions and rigorous bench testing ensures the X3 effortlessly delivers on the promise of accurate musical expression true to the Michi brand.

Sophisticated Features: The X3 is replete with features for seamless integration in any audio system. Rear panel connections support all common cabling methods with 2 sets of custom engineered Michi Rhodium plated speaker binding posts for bi-wire installations. Front panel controls and a high-resolution display assures trouble free operation and simple configuration using the Michi IR remote control.

In-House Toroidal Transformer: The X3 includes a custom engineered and Michi factory built high efficiency, oversized, ultra-low noise, toroidal transformer with independent voltage regulators isolating the digital, analogue and amplifier circuits eliminating unwanted noise and distortion.

Exquisite Industrial Design: The acoustic eminence of the X3 is achieved utilizing a perfect balance of innovation and critical engineering of every circuit, signal path and audio component ensuring the exquisite industrial design is surpassed only by breathtaking performance.

Sophisticated Control Interface: A front panel high-resolution graphic display is configurable to show operating status, 12 band Graphic EQ or Peak Power Meter. Front panel controls and included Michi remote control assure easy operation and configuration.

Dual sets of Rhodium plated custom Michi speaker binding posts allow effortless connection to loudspeakers including bi-wire installations. Ethernet and RS232 connectivity provides simple integration with all popular control systems with software updates available via the Internet or a USB flash drive.

Roon Tested: The Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Amp has been fully certified as Roon Tested via the PC-USB connection to ensure easy access to catalogues of both online and local music files.

"Michi is all about performance", remarks Daren Orth, Chief Technology Officer of Rotel. "Access to online music utilizing Roon delivers the best user experience and access to a near unlimited quantity of high-quality music files. We are pleased to add Michi to this ecosystem..."

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.

Michi X3 Reviews

"Combining 'drive anything' confidence with speed, warmth and the ability to switch from pile-driver to a gossamer touch when required, the Michi X3 carries its massive power lightly, and is all the more rewarding as a result. Add in its flexibility, build quality and sheer style, and you have an amp able to take on the burgeoning ranks of super-integrateds and show most of them a clean pair of heels." Hi-Fi News

"With so much power at its disposal, it won't come as a surprise to learn that the Michi X3 can play piledriver when it's called upon. But power is nothing without control and finesse and it's here that it earns its stripes. While speed, agility and warmth are among this integrated's attributes, what really impresses here is its gossamerfine lightness of touch. Suddenly all that power is thrown into sharp relief, becoming more rewarding in the process. Throw in a deft mix of top-notch build quality, flexibility and supreme styling, and you'd be forgiven for thinking that Michi might just be here to stay this time around." Hi-Fi Choice

"The Rotel Michi X3 Integrated Amplifier is a rare component; even in 2021 with so many excellent high-end components available for sale. Not only was it designed to offer the highest levels of musical playback in a package that is not overkill, but it's surprisingly affordable when one compares its performance to other high-end components that sell for substantially more.

If you ever doubted that Rotel could design components that compete with the top 1% in the world – erase all of those doubts. The Rotel Michi X3 cuts through the hype and delivers an orgiastic feast of musical pleasure that is more than anyone could ever need; both in terms of power, features, and the ability to elevate musical expression to another level.

AUD $6,499 is an enormous amount of money to spend on a component; it's rare that I would ever call such a thing a "bargain" – but the Michi X3 is just that in an industry filled with overpriced schlock. An audio classic in the making. Both now and in the distant future when it will be considered among the best of its kind." ecoustics

Our Take On The Rotel Michi X3

If you thought Rotel produced great CD & amplifier products in the under three grand range then you'd be correct. But you're be missing out on the bigger picture, because Rotel's Michi range offers serious high end amplification with impressive specifications, build quality and handsome good looks.

The Michi X3, almost unbelievably, is their entry level model! Most other brands would call it a flagship. It 'only' has 200 Watts into 8 Ohms, whereas its bigger brother, the X5, has a massive 350 Watts. However, even speakers rated at 8 Ohms often have dips in their impedance at certain frequencies down to 3 or 4 Ohms (just have a look at the B&W 700 S3 range – which the X3 sounds great with, by the way). This means the X3 gets to stretch its legs and wind out to 350 Watts into 4 Ohms and even more as the impedance gets lower. Hi-Fi News put the X3 on the test bench and these were the results. "The X3 measures 2 x 225W (8 Ohms) and 2 x 425W (4 Ohms) at <1% THD with sufficient headroom galvanised by that huge PSU to support 307W, 585W, 1.1kW and 1.78kW (42.1A) into 8, 4, 2 and 1 Ohm loads under dynamic conditions." So, we don't think you'll be running out of dynamic headroom anytime soon.

Balanced XLR & single ended RCA inputs are on offer as well as a moving magnet input begging for a good quality turntable hookup. Bi-Wiring is available through dual sets of Rhodium plated custom Michi speaker binding posts. Oh, and there's a whole cutting edge digital section that supports all the usual suspects including, optical, coaxial, USB-B (MQA & Roon compatible), Ethernet & Bluetooth aptX. So, it has all the connectivity and power you could possibly want but does it have the musical goods? Well, if you're looking for an effortless sound with embracing musicality, fine dynamics and beautiful tonal characteristics then this amplifier might be perfect for you. The X3 is a lively, yet fluid conduit to the performers and has a real 'you are there' quality about it that can become quite addictive. As with the higher priced X5, the same warning applies. Be careful, auditioning this amplifier might be harmful to your wallet.

Main Features & Specifications

• Design: High Power Integrated Stereo Amplifier/DAC
• AKM Premium 768kHz/32bit Digital to Analogue Converter
• Coaxial (3), Optical (3) and Analogue RCA (3) inputs
• PC-USB with DSD 2X decoding and MQA rendering
• Bluetooth with apt-X and AAC
• Roon Tested
• Moving Magnet Phono Stage input
• XLR Balanced input
• Custom engineered toroidal transformer
• Dimmable front panel TFT high resolution display
• IP and RS232 2-way communication for control system integration
• Slim metal Michi remote control

Connections

• Analogue
  • XLR Stereo x 1
  • RCA Stereo x 3
  • MM Phono Stereo x 1
  • Mono Subwoofer Outputs x 2
  • Stereo Preouts x 1
  • Dual Binding Posts for Bi-Wiring
  • Headphone Output x 1 (6.35mm Front Panel)
• Digital
  • Optical x 3
  • Coaxial x 3
  • USB-B x 1 (PC-USB)
  • USB-A x 1 (for charging only)
  • Bluetooth (apt-X & AAC)
• Control
  • Ethernet x 1
  • External Remote x 1
  • 12V Trigger Out x 2
  • RS232 x 1

Technical

• Maximum Power Output: 350 watts/channel, 4Ω
• Continuous Power Output: 200 watts/channel, 8Ω
• Total Harmonic Distortion: < 0.008%
• Intermodulation Distortion: < 0.03% (60 Hz : 7kHz, 4:1)
• Frequency Response
  • Phono Input: 20 Hz - 20kHz (+0 dB, -0.4 dB)
  • Line Level Inputs: 10 Hz - 100kHz (+0 dB, -0.4 dB)
• Damping Factor: 350 (20 Hz - 20kHz, 8 ohms)
• Input Sensitivity / Impedance
  • Phono Input (MM): 5.2 mV / 47k ohms
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA): 340 mV / 100k ohms
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR): 540 mV / 100k ohms
• Input Overload
  • Phono Input (MM): 60 mV
  • Line Level Inputs (RCA): 3.5 V
  • Line Level Inputs (XLR): 5.5 V
• Preamplifier Output Level / Impedance: 1.9 V / 100 ohms
• Tone Controls
  • Bass: ± 10 dB at 100Hz
  • Treble: ± 10 dB at 10kHz
• Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF A weighted)
  • Phono Input: 80 dB
  • Line Level Inputs: 102 dB
• Channel Separation
  • Phono Input (MM): > 55 dB
  • Line Level Inputs: > 55 dB
• Digital Section
  • Frequency Response: 20 Hz - 20k Hz (0 ± 0.4 dB)
  • Signal to Noise Ratio (IHF "A" weighted): 102 dB
  • Input Sensitivity/Impedance: 0 dBfs / 75 ohms
  • Preamplifier Output Level: 1.2 V (at -20 dB Volume Position)
  • Coaxial/Optical Digital Signals: SPDIF LPCM (up to 192k Hz 24 bit)
• PC-USB
  • USB Audio Class 1.0: (up to 96kHz 24bit)
  • USB Audio Class 2.0: (up to 384kHz 32bit)*
    • *Driver installation required
  • Roon, MQA, DSD and DoP (DSD over PCM) support
• Power Consumption: 500 watts
• Standby Power Consumption
  • Normal: < 0.5 watts
  • Network wakeup: < 2 watts
• Finish: Matte Black with Glass Front Panel
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 485 x 150 x 452mm
• Front Panel Height: 132mm
• Weight: 28.9kg
• Manufacturer's Warranty: 5 Years

Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE