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Rotel RA-12 AmplifierAs well as the Audiolab 8200A, the Rotel RA-12 amplifier has a tough time: the previous model of this lineup - the RA-10 - got the Award and the Rotel RA-12 has to fall into line. There are quite telling characteristics in the list: the RA-12 has the increased capacity (60 W while the RA-10 features 40 W), built-in DAC and the ability to connect via Bluetooth. It has the buttons instead of the RA-10 round regulators. But it has the displays and its case is quite bigger. The backboard has five line inputs, including MM phono amplifier, four digital inputs (two optical and two coaxial), two sets of speaker outputs and preamplifier output. The Rotel features the built-in DAC (capable to accept files up to 16 bit/48 kHz) which is the pleasant bonus as for the low price. It also slightly compensates the fact that the Rotel does not support the FLAC and Apple Lossless formats through the front USB which supports only WMA with parameters up to 16 bit/48 kHz, AAC, MP3 and WAV formats. Moreover, it is possible to connect the Bluetooth-module. Listening to Lady Gaga's song "Paparazzi" you can notice the opulent similarity of the RA-12 with its famous tonal balance "brother": it has the coherent sound throughout the whole frequency range. The middle part is very expressive, but the bass, as we think, is a bit lack of energy. This is why the lively and vivid songs sound a little more awkward. The sound is quite convincing; it maintains integration even at high volume regaling the listener with the strength and stability. The sound produced with the digital inputs is almost the same; but the HF are a little bit brighter and thus they are more expressive. In general the Rotel RA-12 is a very talented amplifier that is pleasant to listen to; however, it cannot manage to become the "just great" instead of "quite good" one. The USB-port and the Bluetooth-module allow connecting the smartphones and tablets to the Rotel RA-12; this solution seems to be quite modern. ![]() |