{"id":10790,"date":"2024-05-01T06:20:48","date_gmt":"2024-05-01T06:20:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=10790"},"modified":"2024-05-01T06:20:48","modified_gmt":"2024-05-01T06:20:48","slug":"rotel-ras-5000-review-a-killer-network-amp-that-needs-a-better-app","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=10790","title":{"rendered":"Rotel RAS-5000 Review: A Killer Network Amp That Needs a Better App"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Network amplifiers are<\/span> springing up everywhere these days, and why shouldn\u2019t they be? A single device that facilitates everything from your favorite streaming services to TV content over HDMI ARC is fantastically convenient and shouldn\u2019t be reserved for A\/V receivers or powered speakers. For listeners after a versatile, high-quality stereo experience<\/a>, it can make a lot of sense to get everything you need in one refined device.<\/p>\n

With a wide field of available options, choosing a heritage audio brand like Rotel also seems to make good sense if you have the cash, and Rotel\u2019s newish RAS-5000 is well stocked for the task. After testing the amplifier for several weeks, I\u2019m happy to report the sound quality is as excellent as you\u2019d expect. Its Hulkish frame provides a similarly Hulkish punch for clear and dynamic sound, muscular bass, and enough wattage to get the most out of high-end speaker pairings.<\/p>\n

The RAS-5000 is a capable workhorse with plenty of playback options, but some of the tech is clunkier than I\u2019d expect at this price. Options like Technics\u2019 SU-GX70 (8\/10, WIRED Recommends<\/a>) provide a better user experience for less, with a much handier app. Still, the Rotel has all the tools, and its mix of tactful clarity and brute-force power is formidable. For those with speakers that crave serious power, this amp has plenty to spare.<\/p>\n

A Big Ol’ Block<\/h2>\n

The RAS-5000 arrives in a very large box because it is a very large amplifier. Standing nearly 6 inches tall and 17 inches deep, it easily dwarfs my pint-sized Naim Uniti Atom (8\/10, WIRED Recommends<\/a>) reference amp, and its weight of almost 35 pounds officially requires back support for setup. The overall vibe leans industrial but its rounded edges and shimmering metallic finish add a touch of elegance.<\/p>\n

The aesthetic is similar to predecessors like the Rotel RA-1572 MKII<\/a>, save for the big color screen at the block\u2019s center, which adds a lot of personality. The screen lacks touch controls, a complaint I raised about the Naim Uniti Atom HE headphone amplifier (8\/10, WIRED Recommends<\/a>), but it’s less of an issue here since the RAS-5000 sits on a console, not a desk, and there aren\u2019t that many settings to adjust anyway (more on that later).<\/p>\n

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