Rotel's acclaimed Michi X5 Series 2 Integrated Amplifier has received a very detailed review by Carlo Lo Raso from Secrets of Home Theater & High Fidelity, along with an in-depth measurement analysis by David A. Rich. The review highlights the amp's many exceptional features, including it's striking design and build quality, high power, high-quality components and excellent sound quality.
"If I could describe a performance as simultaneously sounding both tasteful and utterly vicious, this would be it. It feels like one is standing defiantly on a large rock in the middle of a raging storm, and all I can say is listening to this track with headphones on the X5 S2 sounds beyond satisfying."
"Everything I streamed, whether PCM FLAC files of various resolutions or DSD files, played flawlessly and sounded precisely as I would have expected. I heard no noticeable harshness of any sort nor overly “tubified” softness to the sound either."
"Ultimately, if you’re after one of the biggest, most powerful integrated amplifiers that sounds wonderful and is put together with an almost fastidious level of quality and detail, the MICHI X5 S2 demands your consideration. I don’t see how you could possibly be disappointed."