Network amplifiers are are popping up everywhere these days, and why shouldn’t they be? A single device that powers everything from your favorite streaming services to TV content via HDMI ARC is fantastically convenient and shouldn’t be reserved for A/V receivers or powered speakers. For listeners looking for a versatile, high-quality stereo experience, getting everything you need in one sophisticated device can make a lot of sense.
Given the wide range of options available, choosing a traditional audio brand like Rotel seems to make sense even 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 am pleased to report that the sound quality is as excellent as you would expect. Its Hulk-like frame packs a similarly Hulk-like punch for clear and dynamic sound, powerful bass, and enough wattage to bring out the best in high-end speaker pairs.
The RAS-5000 is a capable workhorse with plenty of playback options, but some of the technology is clunkier than I would expect at this price. Options like Technics’ SU-GX70 (8/10, WIRED recommends) offer a better user experience for less money and a much handier app. Still, the Rotel has all the tools and its mix of tactful clarity and brute force is impressive. For those with speakers who want serious power, this amp has a lot to offer.
A big old block
The RAS-5000 comes in a very large box as it is a very large amplifier. At nearly 6 inches tall and 17 inches deep, it significantly dwarfs my small reference amp Naim Uniti Atom (8/10, WIRED recommends), and its weight of nearly 35 pounds officially requires back support for setup. The overall look is rather industrial, but the rounded edges and shimmering metallic finish add a touch of elegance.
The aesthetic is similar to predecessors like the Rotel RA-1572 MKII, except for the large color screen in the middle of the block, which gives it plenty of personality. The screen lacks touch controls, a complaint I’ve voiced about the Naim Uniti Atom HE headphone amplifier (8/10, WIRED recommendations), but that’s less of an issue here since the RAS-5000 sits on a console, not on a desk, and there aren’t that many settings to adjust anyway (more on that later).
Photo: Ryan Waniata
I like the trend toward flashy screens for previewing album covers, but the audio nerd in me is more excited by the Rotel’s constant sampling and bitrate display for everything you play. This is even more convenient 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 the optical/coaxial input, while Airplay 2 tops out at 48kHz/24bit. The system also supports streaming via Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Roon’s high-resolution music management software for those looking to build an accessible high-resolution library.
The RAS-5000’s monstrous housing leaves room for a similarly monstrous custom toroidal transformer that dramatically dims your lights when turned on. The powerful power plant feeds an A/B amplifier system that delivers up to 140 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 220 watts per channel into 4 ohms. That should be enough to adequately power virtually any pair of high-end speakers you have (within reason).