@@crutchfield The bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 Bookshelf speakers. The soundstage, clarity and detail with this combo is amazing. I say amazing because this combo really does make me feel like I’m there live listening to the artist.
I’ve listened at 75-85 decibels worth of volume for up to 4-6 hours and have yet to feel any fatigue or ringing in my ears. Crispy clean sound. I’ve tested comparable Klipsch speakers with the Rotel A12mkii and I felt the fatigue sink in 30mimutes in. The highs from the B&W 706 S3 speakers enters my ears very smoothly without piercing my ears.
That is excellent to hear. I always found Bowers & Wilkins speakers to be extremely pleasurable to listen to for extended listening sessions. What have you been listening to tunes wise?
My musical journey lately has covered a vast terrain, from the serene soundscapes of nature jungle & rainforest sounds to the intricate layers of Radiohead, the soulful depths of Marvin Gaye, the complex rhythms of Tool, and the thought-provoking beats of Kendrick Lamar, OutKast & Kanye West. But, when it comes to testing the capabilities of my hi-fi system, Galimatias' "Sea of Voices" remix, his 'Urban Flora' album with Alina Baraz, and Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories' stand out.
Their differences are in the clarity of the sound because the A12 MKII model has an improved damping factor and higher S/N ratios. It also has more analog and digital audio inputs as well as a USB input. It also has A/B speaker terminals with the ability to run both A and B at the same time (can only run A or B but not both on the A11 MKII). The A11 MKII does have one advantage; it supports aptX HD while the A12 MKII only supports up to aptX (no aptX HD)
A12 MK2 is 900 euros, A14MK2 is 1400 euros. Planning to pair it with Kef R3's. Do you think, +20W difference justifies the price difference of 500 euros for Kef R3?
Ciao, sono italiano, siccome non ho molti soldi e dovrei sostituire il mio amplificatore ti chiedo: Che differenza c'è tra l'A12 Mkii e l'A14 MKII a parte la potenza maggiore?? se è solo quella, Conviene spendere di più per passare da l'A12 a L'A14? Grazie per la risposta che vorra darmi. Hi, I'm Italian, since I don't have much money and I should replace my amplifier I ask you: What is the difference between the A12 Mkii and the A14 MKII apart from the higher power?? if it's just that, is it worth spending more to go from the A12 to the A14? Thanks for the answer you want to give me.
The difference in the A12 MKII and the A14 MKII is power. If your speakers have a low sensitivity or if you are trying to fill a large room, then the extra power is worth having in your setup
I have the a14mkii and its just muscular in sound. Paired with b&w 707 s2 and its just great, it sound bigger than it looks. It really digs deep and dont need subwoofers at all but if your anything like me, i still have subs running for the lowest of lows. The dac is decent but youll get better results with an extenal dac. You cant go wrong with the a12mkii of a14mkii (havent heard the a11 tribute), its a matter of how much power do you need.
@@jamesritch5245 its really based on your taste. If you like a more relaxed sound, ifi signature one or the mojo 2 for more refined sound. If your into dacs that measure well theres topping d50 or higher but iys really fatiguing to listen to.
Thank you so much! I'm new to this. By chance do you know if you can stream high definition via Bluetooth? I've used just about every music app you can think of and my a14 still shows 44 khz regardless. How would adding an additional dac benefit or would it? Thanks again for the reply
@@jamesritch5245 theres no bluetooth or airplay that can deliver true hi res playback. Bluetooth only upscales it to 16/44.1. The only option is tidal connect for true 44.1 streaming. The ifi zen stream can do it (only one i can think of right now thats cheap and decent). No problem, happy to help a fellow audio guy.
@@justanobody4983 thank you so much man I'm going to check it out now. Have you heard anything about the wiim pro? Supposedly it streams over Wi-Fi. Wondering if that would be a viable option for streaming high definition music?
great amp! pair it with the rotel rcd 1572 mk2 cd player and you will have yourself part of a great sounding stereo system.now all rotel has to do is make an am/fm stereo radio tuner.
We will be happy to help recommend between these two units and have some questions to get started: What speakers will be used with the integrated amp? What are you using now to power them and what changes are you hoping to make to the sound you get from the setup? Also, what inputs will be used and what components will be connected into the integrate amp?
@@crutchfield this is going to be my first hifi setup so don't have anything yet. I am open to any other amp you have in mind. I'm thinking of buying a bookshelf speaker such as elac unify, polk r200 or wharfedale evo 4.2. Any other recommendations you would suggest? Interms of connections my main inputs would be Bluetooth, optical and subwoofer for future purchase. Thank you very much.
Great choice on the speakers and both models will power these models well and offer the Bluetooth and inputs you need. Both do have stereo RCA pre-outs you can be use to connect a powered subwoofer as well.
It's the series of the unit and the fact that there are 6 models above it spread across two different model lines in the Rotel that contributed to its classification as a more entry level unit.
There is no dedicated subwoofer pre-out on this model. We're happy to recommend another option. Are there any other particular features or inputs/outputs you need? Do you need to stick with something with a comparable power rating?
Why does reviewers say its good for bookshelf speakers or little towers? When little speakers if you want some bass out of them you need lots of power and not so with big speakeers.
The Rotel would be a great match to drive a single pair of Wharfedale Denton 85's. This amp is 4-ohm stable, but when using 4-ohm speakers you can only connect one pair. The Denton's can handle 120-watts RMS maximum, so you could even go bigger on the power unit if you wanted to!
I think that would be an excellent call. The Yamaha AS-801 would deliver more power than the Rotel and is listed at 120-watts at 6-ohms. The 4-ohm numbers are not listed and could be more than 120-watts, so just make sure to listen with some caution at loud volumes as the amp could be capable of slightly overpowering the Denton's at full blast. For most normal listening situations this is fine, and the extra power over the Rotel would provide exceptional clarity at low listening volumes. I think it would also be a fantastic choice.
This amplifier is crisp, powerful, beautiful, and top tier
Sounds like you love it as much as we do! What speakers do you have matched with it currently?
@@crutchfield The bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 Bookshelf speakers. The soundstage, clarity and detail with this combo is amazing. I say amazing because this combo really does make me feel like I’m there live listening to the artist.
I’ve listened at 75-85 decibels worth of volume for up to 4-6 hours and have yet to feel any fatigue or ringing in my ears. Crispy clean sound. I’ve tested comparable Klipsch speakers with the Rotel A12mkii and I felt the fatigue sink in 30mimutes in. The highs from the B&W 706 S3 speakers enters my ears very smoothly without piercing my ears.
That is excellent to hear. I always found Bowers & Wilkins speakers to be extremely pleasurable to listen to for extended listening sessions. What have you been listening to tunes wise?
My musical journey lately has covered a vast terrain, from the serene soundscapes of nature jungle & rainforest sounds to the intricate layers of Radiohead, the soulful depths of Marvin Gaye, the complex rhythms of Tool, and the thought-provoking beats of Kendrick Lamar, OutKast & Kanye West. But, when it comes to testing the capabilities of my hi-fi system, Galimatias' "Sea of Voices" remix, his 'Urban Flora' album with Alina Baraz, and Daft Punk's 'Random Access Memories' stand out.
Thank you very very much. What's the difference between this one and the A11 MKII? They have different sound or only some features?
Their differences are in the clarity of the sound because the A12 MKII model has an improved damping factor and higher S/N ratios. It also has more analog and digital audio inputs as well as a USB input. It also has A/B speaker terminals with the ability to run both A and B at the same time (can only run A or B but not both on the A11 MKII). The A11 MKII does have one advantage; it supports aptX HD while the A12 MKII only supports up to aptX (no aptX HD)
A12 MK2 is 900 euros, A14MK2 is 1400 euros.
Planning to pair it with Kef R3's. Do you think, +20W difference justifies the price difference of 500 euros for Kef R3?
Those KEF speakers will benefit from the cleaner and increased power provided by the AM14 MKII.
@@crutchfield Thanks! Went for the A14mk2 and I can say those pair pretty amazing!
Ciao, sono italiano, siccome non ho molti soldi e dovrei sostituire il mio amplificatore ti chiedo: Che differenza c'è tra l'A12 Mkii e l'A14 MKII a parte la potenza maggiore?? se è solo quella, Conviene spendere di più per passare da l'A12 a L'A14? Grazie per la risposta che vorra darmi.
Hi, I'm Italian, since I don't have much money and I should replace my amplifier I ask you: What is the difference between the A12 Mkii and the A14 MKII apart from the higher power?? if it's just that, is it worth spending more to go from the A12 to the A14? Thanks for the answer you want to give me.
The difference in the A12 MKII and the A14 MKII is power. If your speakers have a low sensitivity or if you are trying to fill a large room, then the extra power is worth having in your setup
@@crutchfield Grazie
I have the a14mkii and its just muscular in sound. Paired with b&w 707 s2 and its just great, it sound bigger than it looks. It really digs deep and dont need subwoofers at all but if your anything like me, i still have subs running for the lowest of lows. The dac is decent but youll get better results with an extenal dac. You cant go wrong with the a12mkii of a14mkii (havent heard the a11 tribute), its a matter of how much power do you need.
what dac would you recommend?
@@jamesritch5245 its really based on your taste. If you like a more relaxed sound, ifi signature one or the mojo 2 for more refined sound. If your into dacs that measure well theres topping d50 or higher but iys really fatiguing to listen to.
Thank you so much! I'm new to this. By chance do you know if you can stream high definition via Bluetooth? I've used just about every music app you can think of and my a14 still shows 44 khz regardless. How would adding an additional dac benefit or would it? Thanks again for the reply
@@jamesritch5245 theres no bluetooth or airplay that can deliver true hi res playback. Bluetooth only upscales it to 16/44.1. The only option is tidal connect for true 44.1 streaming. The ifi zen stream can do it (only one i can think of right now thats cheap and decent).
No problem, happy to help a fellow audio guy.
@@justanobody4983 thank you so much man I'm going to check it out now. Have you heard anything about the wiim pro? Supposedly it streams over Wi-Fi. Wondering if that would be a viable option for streaming high definition music?
great amp!
pair it with the rotel rcd 1572 mk2 cd player and you will have yourself part of a great sounding stereo system.now all rotel has to do is make an am/fm stereo radio tuner.
Great sounding for sure! No AM; but, we do have the Rotel T11 FM stereo tuner:
www.crutchfield.com/I-rYALc921/p_440T11BK/Rotel-T11-Black.html
Hi, ¿does it works with a two CS G204 Pioneer Speakers? Frequency Range 40-20 kHz, Impedance 6, Max. Music Power 100W
This amp will work with speakers that have the specifications you listed for the Pioneer speakers! They should work well together
Should I buy this or the audiolab 6000a?
We will be happy to help recommend between these two units and have some questions to get started:
What speakers will be used with the integrated amp?
What are you using now to power them and what changes are you hoping to make to the sound you get from the setup?
Also, what inputs will be used and what components will be connected into the integrate amp?
@@crutchfield this is going to be my first hifi setup so don't have anything yet. I am open to any other amp you have in mind. I'm thinking of buying a bookshelf speaker such as elac unify, polk r200 or wharfedale evo 4.2. Any other recommendations you would suggest?
Interms of connections my main inputs would be Bluetooth, optical and subwoofer for future purchase. Thank you very much.
Great choice on the speakers and both models will power these models well and offer the Bluetooth and inputs you need. Both do have stereo RCA pre-outs you can be use to connect a powered subwoofer as well.
Why is this amp considered entry level when theres at least two amps, the A11 and A10 below them.
It's the series of the unit and the fact that there are 6 models above it spread across two different model lines in the Rotel that contributed to its classification as a more entry level unit.
beauty
Nice video 👍 match well with the Focal Aria 906 please ?
Thanks! The Focals are efficient, so this amp will work well.
Will it work fine with a pair of Klipsch RP600M?
Yes, the Rotel A12 MKII will power the Klipsch RP-600Ms very well.
Can you plug a subwoofer?
Yea they have preouts
Where is the sub input or i am missing something?
There is no dedicated subwoofer pre-out on this model. We're happy to recommend another option. Are there any other particular features or inputs/outputs you need? Do you need to stick with something with a comparable power rating?
Why does reviewers say its good for bookshelf speakers or little towers? When little speakers if you want some bass out of them you need lots of power and not so with big speakeers.
do you think is good with my klipsch r620f ?
If you have a simple 2-channel speaker setup, the Rotel A12 MKII integrated amp will be a great match to power your Klipsch speakers.
Small speakers actually need more power though.
Denton 85? It needs 4ohms.
The Rotel would be a great match to drive a single pair of Wharfedale Denton 85's. This amp is 4-ohm stable, but when using 4-ohm speakers you can only connect one pair. The Denton's can handle 120-watts RMS maximum, so you could even go bigger on the power unit if you wanted to!
@@crutchfield thank you. After reading your site. What about Yamaha as801?
I think that would be an excellent call. The Yamaha AS-801 would deliver more power than the Rotel and is listed at 120-watts at 6-ohms. The 4-ohm numbers are not listed and could be more than 120-watts, so just make sure to listen with some caution at loud volumes as the amp could be capable of slightly overpowering the Denton's at full blast. For most normal listening situations this is fine, and the extra power over the Rotel would provide exceptional clarity at low listening volumes. I think it would also be a fantastic choice.
@@crutchfield thank you for taking the time to reply.
You're welcome.