BACK IN fall 2021 Sound & Vision reviewed Rotel's RA-1572MKII integrated amplifier, an upgraded version of the company's popular RA-1572. Well, at Rotel the upgrades keep coming fast and furious: Just a few months later, word dropped that the same treatment was coming to products at more affordable price points, with the company's A12 and A14 integrated amps getting bumped up to MKII status.
What's new with the A14MKII ($1,600), the subject of this review? Basically, the same things that went into the RA-1572MKII: a redesigned digital to-analog conversion stage featuring a Texas Instruments 32-bit/384kHz DAC, improvements to the toroidal transformer power supply and amplifier gain stages, and MQA support. Otherwise, the A14MKII shares many of the same characteristics of the RA-1572MKII. It's a relatively basic integrated amp with no built-in wired or wireless streaming capability aside from Bluetooth aptX. Also, unlike some other recent integrated amps we've tested, it doesn't offer room EQ processing or an HDMI eARC connection for a TV.
What does the A14MKII have? Its built-in class-A/B amp is spec'd for 2 x 80 watts (8 ohms) and 2 x 150 watts (4 ohms). Connections include dual optical and digital inputs, a USB type-B port for a direct computer hookup, and a front-panel USB type-A port to connect an iPhone or iPad for playback. There are also four stereo analog RCA inputs plus a moving magnet phono connection for a turntable. Various control options are provided, including Ethernet, RS-232-serial, IR, and 12v trigger out.
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