Michi Q5 Transport CD Player/DAC

'Bold, Dynamic, Vivid, and Present': Top-Loading Michi Q5 Transport CD Player Features SABRE DAC with Dedicated Channels, In-House-Made Transformers, Isolated Power Supplies, Fully Balanced Circuitry, and Incredible Build 

The 51.8-pound weight of the top-loading Michi Q5 transport CD player/DAC is the first clue this isn’t your ordinary high-end disc spinner. Ditto the dual in-house-manufactured toroidal transformers that isolate the digital and analog voltage supplies, significantly reducing noise and interference. Same goes for the layout of the CD drive motor voltage and current power supplies, each electrically isolated from the audio signals to both ensure the preservation of sonic purity and avoidance of the potential of electronic motor noise leaking into the sensitive audio signals.

Bolstered by an eight-channel ESS ES9028PRO DAC that dedicates four channels each to the left and right audio signal paths — the four times signal processing redundancy able to further extract deep-seeded details within the recording and throw expansive soundstages — Q5 supports up to native Quad DSD, 32-bit/384 kHz PCM, and full MQA via its PC-USB input. Its fully balanced, fully differential circuit design achieves wondrous clarity, precision, and dynamics via an extremely low noise floor to the XLR and RCA analog outputs. CD audio can also be accessed via coaxial and optical outputs, allowing you to use Q5 as a dedicated CD transport.

Speaking of CDs. The 6 x 19 x 17.75-inch (HWD) Q5 features a top-loading CD mechanism constructed from premium CNC aluminum for both durability and a sleek, modern look. Said mechanism is mounted on a floating spring assembly to reduce unwanted vibrations and physically isolate the motor from sensitive circuits, resulting in a platform that delivers exceptional stability and smoothness. Fully balanced differential XLR outputs, coaxial and optical inputs, a network port, USB power port, RS232, EXT REM jack, and 12V trigger are further evidence as to why Q5 is prepared to integrate with practically any system.

On the front panel, a dimmable TFT high-resolution display that shows album artwork and power button reside at the center while subtle operation indicators (buttons are on the underside of the chassis) occupy the bottom right corner. The Roon-certified Q5 can easily be commanded from your chair with the supplied remote. And a five-year manufacturer warranty, along with our Satisfaction Guarantee, gives you extra peace of mind. Ditto the multiple audiophile awards and rave reviews it has earned.

To learn more about Q5 and other seamlessly pairing Michi components, dial 312-433-0200 and let's talk.

"'Big' is the word that comes to mind when describing the Q5, both in stature and sound. It has a powerful and effortless style allied to fine detail and great width from left to right. Pretty much any disc you play is unpeeled and given a large, widescreen stage to make music on. Yet it’s never overblown or airbrushed to sound romantic."
—Hi-Fi Choice, Editor's Choice

"A welcome addition to Rotel’s top-tier Michi strand, the Q5 will quicken the pulse of CD collectors with its fine style and build quality, plus a performance that extracts plenty from the legacy digital format."
—Hi-Fi News, Outstanding Product

"This is a detailed-sounding performer that has no trouble rendering instrumental textures or subtle shifts in intensity. It resolves plenty of information and has the organizational skills to turn it into a musically cohesive presentation. Tonality? The Michi Q5 is about as neutral as they come, sounding as convincing in this respect as any player we’ve heard near this level. It has a lovely top-to-bottom evenness that, once heard, is hard to ignore when it is missing on other players."
—What Hi-Fi?, five-star review

"It combines a sense of solidity and ceremony to its operation that, even judged at the lofty asking price is hugely impressive. We’re at a point in CD’s life where you need to give serious thought to the overall longevity of your hardware if you’re in this for the long haul, the Q5 feels hugely confidence inspiring. It also delivers a performance that can take a large and disparate collection of genres and artists and manage to do justice to all of it."
—The Ear,five-star review

"The Michi Q5 is the answer to the question a lot of CD fans have: What can I do to get the most out of my CDs with a reasonably priced component? If you want to breathe new life into your collection, head to your Michi dealer. He or she has your answer."
—The Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity, Outstanding Product

"The Michi Q5’s sound is bold, dynamic, vivid and present."
—Darko.Audio

"The Michi Q5 is the finest-sounding CD player I’ve ever reviewed, and also the best-performing DAC that I’ve ever reviewed. The Q5 DAC outperformed my own reference DAC, the Bryston BR‑20, which, believe me, is no small feat. That makes the Michi Q5 a relative bargain in high-end audio. While I would never claim any audio medium to be perfect, I can confidently say that Rotel’s Michi Q5 delivers the most “perfect sound” I’ve ever experienced from CDs."
—George de Sa, Soundstage! Hi-Fi